The NFL. It’s as American as cornbread, BBQ, apple pie and C. Miller Chevrolet! What do I mean? The NFL has storylines that rival any sport! It is America’s game! So as the 2023 NFL season is a month away, here are my FIVE HOT TAKES for this year! And I’m sure that I will be proven right!
AFC North with four teams
Last year, three of the four NFC East teams made it in. The week before Thanksgiving last year, all four AFC East teams would have been in if the season ended then! In 2021, all four AFC North teams almost did the same.
It is now possible for all teams in a division to make the playoffs. And with the North playing AFC South and NFC West with all the new QBs there, it is highly possible all four can AND will make it!
Lions Shock the NFL world in Week 1
Dan Campbell was GIDDY when he found out the Lions would be opening the season against the Chiefs. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/NoqC5YrMQj
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) August 7, 2023
The Lions finished the year 9-8 going on an 8-2 run and defeated the Packers and ended the playoff chances for them and Aaron Rogers.
Let's goooooo‼️ https://t.co/DMpwWinv1f
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 7, 2023
Giving them the Chiefs will just make week one explosive! And Coach Campbell nailed it when he found out who their first opponent was for 2023! “I was Giddy!”
Payton fails!
Robert Saleh fires back after Sean Payton rips Nathaniel Hackett
Well, the Oct. 8 matchup between the Jets and Broncos just got very interesting. In an interview with USA Today published Thursday morning, new Broncos coach Sean Payton ripped into his predecessor in Denver, … pic.twitter.com/Ir9UytdRCo— Dr.LyndaBarnes (@MrsBarnesII) July 27, 2023
Sean Payton will fail. He has made that abundantly clear with his comments about former head coach and now NY Jets offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett. When the Jets play the Broncos…look out.
The Broncos will NOT make the playoffs. Standing above them are the top QBs in the AFC, Mahomes and Herbert. Payton’s hubris at ripping a peer will NOT sit well with other coaches. See Aaron Rodgers’ comment back at the Denver head coach!
In explosive interview with USA Today, #Broncos first-year coach Sean Payton rips Nathaniel Hackett for "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL’’ last season. He also says he expects Broncos to make the playoffs in 2023: https://t.co/Ex81StXDW5
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 27, 2023
No way they finish above those clubs. The Broncos might be good for third place in the AFC West, but with the aging Russell Wilson working on year 13, it’s a huge ask for the signal caller from Wisconsin to take them to the playoffs! And Payton just put a target on the Broncos with his mouth!
Fields a Top NFL QB!
We’re about a month away from seeing Justin Fields do Justin Fields things again 🔥⬇️ pic.twitter.com/z9ONyUC31u
— Bearsszn (@bearssznn) August 8, 2023
There is no doubt that Justin Fields can run. That he proved last season. 1,143 yards rushing! That placed him in seventh! Just ahead of backs like Jacobs, Henry, Barkley and Chubb! He never attempted more than 30 passes in a game!
But this year, he WILL find himself in the top 10 quarterbacks when the season ends!
Revamping the OL will help him and the Bears immensely! The new line will be the determining factor for Chicago’s success. Last year’s 10 different starting line arrangements could be a major reason Fields struggled in the passing game. The new OL coach, Chris Morgan, has over 13 years experience with the Falcons and Steelers. So, my money is on a breakout year for the kid from Ohio State.
Olave in the top 3 NFL Receivers!
Now that Kareem Hunt has found a potential team home in the New Orleans Saints (maybe?), he might be heading to a team with Chris Olave and QB, Derek Carr!
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Olave was my surprise WR last year in my fantasy league and he’s ready to explode on the scene again in year two in a dramatic way. Partnering with Michael Thomas and Taysom Hill will help make the Saints the most explosive NFC team!
In an interview on the club’s website, Olave is not settling for good. He wants to be the BEST.
“Just been working on some of my weaknesses, trying to be stronger at the catch, just being stronger after contact. And trying to work on my (yards after catch). I’m just trying to come down with every target thrown my way. I feel like last year, I kind of struggled with that and I just want to keep getting better every year.”
Imagine his solid year was with Andy Dalton in 2022. Yes, Andy Dalton! Now, picture Derek Carr and the weapons. He will quickly be the receiver everyone tries to pick up early in their leagues.
In Derek Carr’s last four seasons, he has supported the WR3 Overall (2022), WR10 (2021), TE2 (2020) and TE3 (2019).
It has always been Chris Olave SZN. pic.twitter.com/UyNweuBuad
— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) August 7, 2023
Welp, I’m on a limb! Those are my hot takes. What are yours? Please share them in the comments!
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