Predicting NFC playoff teams in the 2023-2024 Season?

Making playoff predictions is one of the best parts of following the NFL. Everyone has different opinions about who will make the playoffs in a given season, which makes playoff predictions interesting. That is definitely the case heading into the 2023 NFL season in the NFC. With few proven teams in the conference, everybody has different opinions on who can make the playoffs. However, these seven NFC teams have the best shot at obtaining a playoff berth in 2023.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

After competing in the Super Bowl last year, the Eagles still have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL and should easily return to the playoffs this season. The Eagles' complete roster is thanks to keeping players from last season and adding new ones. One of the new pieces the Eagles added this offseason was rookie defensive tackle, Jalen Carter. They drafted Carter at number nine overall this year and according to reports, he is tearing up camp. The addition of Carter only improves the top ten defense the Eagles had last season.

2. San Francisco 49ers

After suffering a multitude of injuries at quarterback last season, the 49ers stumbled upon a potential franchise quarterback in Brock Purdy. Purdy was drafted with the 262nd pick in the 2022 draft and certainly was not expected to play. However, he took the opportunity and ran with it, throwing 13 touchdowns and four interceptions in five starts. His play helped lead the 49ers to the playoffs last season. If Prudy keeps playing well and the 49ers defense is a top defense again, there is no reason why the 49ers should not make the playoffs.

3. Detroit Lions

The Lions surprised everyone in 2022 with an offense that was the fifth highest scoring in the NFL, averaging 26 points per game. Even with their high powered offense, they missed the playoffs last season due to a weak defense. However, the Lions intend on righting the wrongs of last season as they made major defensive improvements that included adding safety C.J. Gardner Johnson in the offseaosn. With the defensive improvements and the offense staying pretty much the same, the Lions look to win the NFC North and make the playoffs this season.

4. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons look to take the NFC South this season after only being one game away from the division championship last season. In order to accomplish this, they added Jessie Bates, Mike Hughes, Jeff Okuadh, and David Onyemata, strengthening their defense, which was one of the league's worst last season. Alongside that, the Falcons also drafted running back Bijan Robinson out of Texas in the first round. Pairing Robinson and Tyler Allgeier up will help the Falcons' young quarterback, Desmond Ridder find his feet in the NFL. Once Ridder does, the Falcons offense should fly with these young running backs and potential star pass catchers Drake London and Kyle Pitts.

5. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are right behind the Eagles and the 49ers in terms of confidence in making the playoffs this season. So why are they so far down this list? Put simply, they can not win the NFC East if the Eagles do, so they would slot in as a wild card team, putting them below the other division winners. With that out of the way the Cowboys are a solidified contender in the NFC because of their defense. Their defense provides pressure and can force turnovers. However, The Cowboys' offense struggled under Dak Prescott last season/ The struggles were in part due to Prescott’s 15 interceptions last season. If Prescott can protect the ball better this season the Cowboys have a shot at the Super Bowl.

6. Chicago Bears

Having the Bears on this list may be a shock to some after they were the worst team in the league last season. However, this Bears team can end up being one of the most shocking teams of the year with all the offseason moves they made. Adding a bonified number one wide receiver in DJ Moore and improving the pass rush by signing defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. They may also have one of the most underrated young secondaries in the league with players like Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, and veteran Eddie Jackson. All the Bears need is for quarterback Justin Fields to play well, and they could go from last to playoff contender.

7. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks were not expected to do well after trading Russell Wilson before the 2023 season began. However, they surprised everyone by making it into the wild card round with a 9-8 record. While they did not win the wild card game last season, the Seahawks have a shot to make it back to the playoffs this year. This is thanks to the additions of cornerback Devon Witherspoon and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njibga. These two players add a lot to each side of the ball, Witherspoon who brings physicality at cornerback, and Tariq Woolen, the ball hawk, can create a lockdown cornerback duo. Moving over to Smith-Njigba, who possesses the ability to be another threat downfield. Pairing him with DJ Metcalf and Tyler Lockett can lead to a more explosive Seahawks offense. With an explosive offense and a better defense, the Seahawks will be one of the better teams in the NFC.

Cover image courtesy of Patriots.com