Revisiting our 15 bold predictions for the 2023 NFL season

At the start of the season, we laid out 15 bold predictions for the 2023 NFL season, and while the season isn't quite over yet, we feel it's time to take a look back and gloat about what we got right and find excuses for what we got wrong...

Kadarius Toney is a unique player in the NFL, almost impossibly quick and slippery after the catch, he has just never been able to stay healthy. Well this year, as the Chiefs’ number one receiver, he will and he’ll lead the league in receiving yards.

Turns out Kadarius Toney, despite some great play with the ball in his hands, has cost the Chiefs more games than he's won them. The talent is evident, but between drops and some unfortunate penalties, he's not emerged how we expected him to.

The Jets have gone all in on signing Aaron Rodger’s favorite targets this offseason and with reports of chemistry forming between the QB and Garrett Wilson at offseason practices, they are set up to be an explosive offense, which should be enough to get them to their first AFC Championship game since 2011.

We made this prediction before Aaron Rodgers' season ended just four plays into it. With competent QB play, the Jets very easily could be in the mix for the number one seed. Their defense is an incredibly intimidating unit, but Zach Wilson still isn't the guy.

Last year the Philadelphia Eagles had the best rushing offense in the league led by Miles Sanders and Jalen Hurts. With Sanders leaving for pastures new, the Birds brought in the talented but of-injured Rashaad Penny and traded for Deandre Swift, both of whom, along with QB Jalen Hurts will top 800 yards on the ground in 2023.

Turns out these predictions were quite hard to do. Despite a very good record and a decent chance at home-field advantage, the Eagles rushing attack hasn't been quite as good as expected with only Deandre Swift currently over 800 yards and no one else especially close.

The Bills look a slightly weaker team on paper this season than years past, but with Josh Allen fit and healthy after his elbow struggles last season and Sean McDermott taking over defensive play calling, this is the year the Bills get over their playoff hoodoo and reach the Super Bowl.

We did mention we thought the Bills didn't look quite as good this year as in previous seasons, but we didn't expect them to struggle this much. Still, they might just be getting on a roll that could take them deep into the playoffs. There isn't a team in football that will want to matchup against Josh Allen when he's on form.

The NFC South doesn’t look like the best division before the season starts with the Saints looking the strongest team on paper. However, it’s the Falcons, led by Desmond Ridder and Bijan Robinson who come out on top and win the division.

The NFC South was never going to be good this season given the lack of talent at the quarterback position, but we weren't expecting this level of mediocrity.  The Falcons have four winnable games remaining which could see them finish top of the division, we're not taking the L here just yet!

Probably the best coach in NFL history, Belichick hasn’t quite been able to reload the Patriots’ roster as he would’ve liked in the post-Brady years. This year doesn’t go well for the Pats, going 7-9-1 and missing the playoffs. Owner Robert Kraft says “Thanks for the memories” and moves on from the coaching legend.

This hasn't been confirmed, yet, but all signs seem to be pointing towards Belichick heading for the exit in New England. An inability to draft a QB following Tom Brady and a dearth of offensive talent has led to one of the worst offenses in the league. The Pats sit 3-10 and probably need a full reset.

The Arizona Cardinals are a mess this year, but look set up to rebuild next year with a good chance at securing one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 draft. They end the year with one solitary win, it comes in week one against the Commanders before losing 16 in a row to end the season.

The Cards started the season fairly well given their roster and have since pulled off three wins against the Cowboys, Falcons, and Steelers. They have brought Kyler Murray back into the fold as their starting QB following his return from injury and he has played well making their offseason an interesting one to follow.

The 49ers look like they are still a genuine championship contender yet again, but with the quarterback position looking murky at best, the Seahawks have a chance to usurp them at the top of the division. Seattle end the season 12-5 beating the Niners to the division title.

For a while there it looked like this was a possibility, since then the Niners have gone on an absolute tear and the Seahawks have stuttered. Unless something drastic happens, San Fran are heading for another division crown the Seahawks are scrambling for a playoff berth.

The Falcons took Bijan Robinson at number eight overall in the 2023 draft so expect to lean on the young running back early and often. Head Coach Arthur Smith is no stranger to using a bell cow back after his time with Derrick Henry in Tennessee. Robinson ends the season with over 1,500 yards rushing and 11 TDs on his way to the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Bijan has been excellent when actually given the ball. For some reason, Arthur Smith has been reluctant to consistently feed him the rock.  Also, C.J. Stroud is having one of the best rookie seasons for a QB of all time and has essentially wrapped up the award already.

There have been three quarterbacks who have rushed for more than 1,000 yards in an NFL season, Lamar Jackson (twice), Michael Vick, and Justin Fields. After the 2023 season, there will be a fourth, with Anthony Richardson starting for the Colts from week one, he fits well into Shane Steichen’s offense and breeze past 1,000 yards on the ground.

Richardson was looking like the best rookie QB through the four games he was involved in. Unfortunately injuries saw an early end to his rookie year, but given his incredible athleticism, 1,000 yards on the ground was certainly not unattainable.

The Lions are a firm favorite to take a big step in 2023, in spite of their bizarre draft selections. In a division ripe for the taking, the Lions lean on their explosive offense and win the NFC North before beating the Cowboys in the Wildcard round.

The Lions sit 9-4 and are currently the three-seed. Currently, that would mean they would play their division rivals, the Minnesota Vikings in the Wildcard Round making their progression to the Divisional Round very probable.

Patrick Mahomes continues his ascendence to immortality this season winning another MVP along the way. Throwing for over 5,000 yards and 45 touchdowns, this will be one of the greatest seasons from a quarterback for over.

Mahomes has been very good this year despite a lack of talent around him. Outside of Travis Kelce (who's definitely lost a step), their next best receiver is promising rookie Rashee Rice, it's not quite enough for Mahomes to truly flourish and so far it's not looking like a repeat Super Bowl run for KC.

After losing last season, the Eagles get their redemption in Las Vegas, overcoming the Buffalo Bills 32-18 with Jalen Hurts winning his first Super Bowl MVP award.

The Eagles are 10-3 and seem to be going through a crisis of confidence following losses to the 49ers and the Cowboys. There is still a world where they turn things around and go on a run but it is looking less and less likely every week.

Reid is one of the very best coaches in NFL history and after the Super Bowl victory in 2022 he could’ve walked off in the sunset with a win, instead, he stays for one more go around, this time falling just short of another ring. He calls it a day after the season with his Hall of Fame induction just a few years away.

The way this season has gone has made this prediction less likely given how frustrating this year has gone so far. We can see the Chiefs go after a game-changing wide receiver in the offseason and going for one last ride at a Super Bowl.