2023 NFL Season: 10 bold predictions for the new year

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 21: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars throws against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 21, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 21: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars throws against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 21, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears – Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports /

2023 NFL Season: 10 bold predictions for the new year

No. 8: Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears make the playoffs

When I made my “official” 2023 season predictions, I used a website that allowed me to prediction games weekly, and when I was finished, I noticed that I had the Bears at 9-8 and in the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC.  Well, there’s my eighth bold prediction.

Justin Fields is going to take a big enough step forward to cement his status as a franchise QB in the NFL, and the Bears’ defense won’t rank among the worst in the NFL.  This will be an encouraging year for the Bears.  They aren’t going to win a playoff game, but getting there will be a great step in 2023.  This would allow them to make a push to go all-in for 2024.

No. 9: San Francisco 49ers best the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game

The big discussion with the San Francisco 49ers heading into the 2023 NFL season is their quarterback situation.  Right now though, Brock Purdy seems to be healthy enough to be ready for week one, but Trey Lance and Sam Darnold are the other QBs of note on the roster.  There’s also been some light rumors that the Niners could trade Lance this year.

Could the team finally close the door on that draft pick?  And with the way Sam Darnold played in 2022, he might be a viable option in this offense.  Well, the Niners are going to enjoy a shockingly healthy season in 2023 and best the Eagles in the conference championship game, getting back to the Super Bowl for the second time since 2019.