Three NFL Teams That Could Go Worst To First In 2023
The 2022 NFL season was certainly exciting, but not for every team. This past offseason and the upcoming 2023 season gives teams an opportunity at a fresh start. Nearly every year, there are teams that go from the last spot in the division to being a division winner. Let's look at three teams that might be able to accomplish that this year.
New York Jets
The Aaron Rodgers effect has totally transformed expectations in New York. He has brought a winning presence to the locker room, which has been lacking since the team's last playoff appearance in 2010. The Jets brought in several of Rodgers' former teammates such as Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard to help improve the offense. On the other side of the ball, the defense under head coach Robert Salah should be among the most dominant in the AFC.
Unfortunately for the Jets, they play in one of the more competitive divisions in football.The 2022 AFC East winner, Buffalo Bills, are coming off a fourth-straight double-digit win season and the Miami Dolphins are expected to be nearly as good. The New England Patriots with Bill Belichick as the head coach can't be taken too lightly either. New York finished last year with a 7-10 record, which they should improve upon. The question will be whether they can knock off the other AFC East rivals. Aaron Rodgers has plenty of experience and could be the difference maker.
Houston Texans
After three-straight double-digit loss seasons and being one of the most embarrassing teams in the league, will Houston finally turn it around? They'll have a new head coach in DeMeco Ryans and will have one of the youngest teams in the league.
In this year's draft, Houston had the second and third overall picks where they selected quarterback C.J. Stroud out of Ohio State and linebacker Will Anderson out of Alabama. These are two game changing pieces who could be franchise cornerstones for years to come. The Texans also made seven other picks, so they'll have plenty of new talent. Additionally, second year back Dameon Pierce is one of the game's best young running backs and should have an even better year.
The main issue for Houston will be lack of experience, but Ryans is the perfect coach for the team. He is a former player and had a lot of success turning the San Francisco 49ers defense into one of the best in the league as a coordinator there. The Texans will be trying to chase last year's division winner Jacksonville Jaguars who finished 9-8. The Jags went worst to first in 2022, so could it be Houston's turn this year?
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons make the list not because they did anything significant this offseason, but they played in the most balanced division in all of football last year. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South with an 8-9 record, while the rest of the division finished just one game back at 7-10. If only a couple more games went the Falcons way, they could have made the postseason.
In 2023, Atlanta will look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Highlighting their draft class is Texas' Bijan Robinson who should help ignite the running game. The Falcons will also need to identify which of their quarterbacks will give them their best chance at success. Taylor Heinicke had a winning record as a starter for the Washington Commanders last year, while Desmond Ridder is going into just his second season as a pro. Winning more division games will be the key to the Falcons chances at winning the NFC South.
Looking Ahead To The 2023 NFL Season
Like any offseason, there seemed to be plenty of change since the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57 back in February. With free agency, trades, and the draft, the balance of power will likely shift. There could be new teams that make playoff runs and it will be exciting to see. It is definitely not unrealistic for the teams on this list to make it to the top of their divisions.
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