The NFL trade deadline is behind us, we have nine weeks left in the 2023 NFL regular season, and as always there’s plenty at stake for all 32 teams. So we asked our FanNation publishers to look into their crystal balls and give us one bold prediction about the second half of the season. Let’s go!
NFC WEST
Los Angeles Rams
Bold prediction: The Rams will finish the season with a winning record. Let’s be real: When the NFL community looked at the Rams roster at the beginning of the season, very few names looked familiar. Los Angeles now sits with a respectable 3–4 record, with each of their losses coming within single digits. They probably won’t make the playoffs, but they are certainly capable of winning six of their remaining 10 games, as they’ve shown good signs on both sides of the ball. Don’t be surprised if coach Sean McVay is a finalist for Coach of the Year after quickly leading this young and inexperienced team to a winning record.—Hunter De Siver
Arizona Cardinals
Bold prediction: The return of a healthy Kyler Murray and Budda Baker pays dividends and the Cardinals end their season with three wins in their final four games. Even bolder? Neither of their two first-round picks will be in the top five for the 2024 NFL draft.—Donnie Druin
San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports
Bold prediction: The 49ers will fire defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who has taken public criticism from coach Kyle Shanahan the past two weeks. Wilks isn’t running his system—he’s running DeMeco Ryans’s system, and struggling to generate pressure with a dominant defensive line. Not good. In addition, Sam Darnold will start more than one game for the 49ers down the stretch because Shanahan loves him.—Grant Cohn
Seattle Seahawks
Bold prediction: The second-year ascendance of Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe, in conjunction with the signing of defensive end Frank Clark, fuels an incredible run from defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt’s unit. Getting home with four unlocks the potential of a defense that had already dominated against the run and creates more opportunities for a dynamic secondary to create turnovers. Despite playing the Cowboys, Eagles and 49ers (twice), Seattle finishes top 10 in points allowed.—Anthony Licciardi
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Bold prediction: The jury is still out on the Cowboys after an up-and-down start to the 2023 campaign. I believe the final ruling will be favorable in “Big D,” but not favorable enough to win a division title or a Super Bowl. I could very well see Dallas getting to 13 wins this season, but with the machine that is rolling in Philadelphia, the NFC East may be out of reach. Still, by the postseason, Mike McCarthy’s “Texas Coast” offense should look more efficient than it has thus far. I think the Cowboys finish second in the East, but they manage to reach the NFC championship before failing to reach the Super Bowl.—John Macon Gillespie
Philadelphia Eagles
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Bold prediction: Outside of Tyreek Hill, no receiver has meant or done more for their offense than A.J. Brown. He has answered the bell at every turn since arriving last season. Whether he’s in double coverage or has to make a leaping one-handed grab along the sideline in the end zone, Brown has been unguardable this season. Through seven games, he has 67 catches for 1,005 yards and six touchdowns, and he set an NFL record with six consecutive games of at least 125 receiving yards. If he keeps up this torrid pace, he may not just become a bonafide MVP candidate, but he could work his way into becoming the favorite. In a year where no quarterback has solidified himself as the top MVP candidate, this could be the season that Brown becomes the first receiver to win the award.—Nathaniel Marrero
Washington Commanders
Bold prediction: Ron Rivera getting fired at the bye has gone from a bold prediction to one that is becoming more likely with each passing week. Any hope Washington had of potentially sneaking into the playoffs was likely doused by its 14–7 loss to the New York Giants on Oct. 22. With a brutal schedule on the horizon, including the Cowboys (5-2), Seahawks and Dolphins before their bye week after Dec. 3, the Commanders could be ready to set their sights on 2024. That would give an ample opportunity for owner Josh Harris to elevate offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to head coach and see if he’s cut out to lead the team after this season.—Nathaniel Marrero
New York Giants
Bold prediction: The Giants’ 2023 season hasn’t gone as anyone hoped, thanks largely to the rash of injuries on the offensive line, running back Saquon Barkley and now quarterback Daniel Jones, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. The schedule-makers didn’t do the team any favors by putting the Giants in primetime in four of their first six games, including one Thursday night road game. The Giants hoped to get back on track after an encouraging (albeit losing) effort against Buffalo in which they were more competitive, and then a win against the Commanders. But the Giants are now the longest of long shots to make it back to the playoffs, and are likely looking at a return to a top-10 draft spot than to the postseason.—Patricia Traina
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers
Bold prediction: Matt LaFleur entered the season ranked alongside two Hall of Famers for highest winning percentage in NFL history. By season’s end, there will be serious questions about the entire Packers coaching staff. Where’s the progress on offense? Where’s the dominance from a defense with a lot of high profile draft picks? Given the youth on offense, nobody expected the Packers to be serious Super Bowl contenders. But there has to be a lot more progress than was seen before the bye.—Bill Huber
Minnesota Vikings
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Bold prediction: In the wake of Kirk Cousins’s season-ending injury, the Vikings still make the playoffs with Joshua Dobbs and Jaren Hall as their quarterbacks. The Cousins injury is obviously a brutal blow for both player and team, as he was playing some of the best football of his career in a contract year. The Vikings have a great offensive line, a loaded group of pass catchers, and a Brian Flores-led defense that has been awesome during this four-game winning streak.—Will Ragatz
Chicago Bears
Bold prediction: Many saw coach Matt Eberflus on the hot seat a few weeks ago and even now some assume he won’t be in Chicago next year. He will, though, and by the end of the year the Bears won’t be in the playoffs but will be one of the rising teams expected to make a huge leap forward next year because the roots of his defense are finally firmly planted.—Gene Chamberlain
Detroit Lions
Bold prediction: Wide receiver Jameson Williams will start to solve his issues catching the football and becomes the primary target in the red zone for Ben Johnson’s offense. If the speedy wideout starts to put things together, he will record over 10 receiving touchdowns this season.—John Maakaron
NFC SOUTH
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bold prediction: The Buccaneers have had a difficult stretch of games recently, including four consecutive losses. The offense is ranked near the bottom of nearly every key statistical category, yet the Buccaneers haven't been blown out by any team. There were expectations it would take time with a new system, a new quarterback and a first time play-caller. However, they still have a fairly easy schedule ahead of them. Despite their early struggles, Tampa Bay is bound to turn its offensive woes around on its way to winning its third consecutive NFC South Division title.—JC Allen
New Orleans Saints
Bold prediction: Eventually, the play-calling duties will be handed to quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry with Pete Carmichael staying on as the offensive coordinator. The Saints will take a commanding two-game lead over Tampa Bay in the NFC South to win the division. Running back Alvin Kamara, LB Demario Davis, CB Marson Lattimor and DE Carl Granderson will receive second-team All-Pro honors.—Kyle T. Mosley
Carolina Panthers
Bold prediction: The Panthers will win at least five games. It doesn’t sound like a difficult mark to reach, but there’s maybe only one game on the schedule in which they will be favored. Bryce Young is playing better and with starting right guard Austin Corbett back in the fold, he should have some more time to scan the field. Thomas Brown taking over as the offensive play-caller will also make for a smoother presnap operation and allow Frank Reich to be more of a CEO.—Schuyler Callihan
Atlanta Falcons
Bold prediction: Tight end Kyle Pitts will finish the season strong and eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Pitts currently sits with 32 receptions for 389 yards and a touchdown. But Pitts, who didn’t start the campaign at full health while continuing to build confidence in his knee after last year’s MCL tear, has looked more like his prior self in the past five weeks. Pitts is second on the Falcons in targets at 53, and with both his volume and play level increasing, could be in line for a productive dash to the finish line.—Daniel Flick
AFC WEST
Kansas City Chiefs
Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today network
Bold prediction: The Chiefs’ defense is no fluke. In fact, it’s still getting better. Even without starting middle linebacker and signal-caller Nick Bolton, the addition of defensive lineman Charles Omenihu will outweigh the loss of Bolton. Omenihu’s ability to rush next to Chris Jones, both from the edge and in the interior, gives defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo another way to put opposing quarterbacks in difficult positions for KC’s excellent secondary to capitalize. Even with the Eagles on the horizon, the Chiefs’ defense will continue to give the offense time to hit high gear by the playoffs.—Joshua Brisco
Las Vegas Raiders
Bold prediction: With the firing of coach Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler, there is rampant speculation on who the Raiders will hire. Mark Davis’s last two coaches hand-picked their general managers, Mike Mayock (Jon Gruden) and Dave Ziegler (McDaniels). Look for Davis to change direction and potentially give Champ Kelly the job permanently (he is the interim GM), and then allow Kelly to hire the new coach.—Hondo Carpenter
Los Angeles Chargers
Bold prediction: The Chargers get hot in the second half of the season behind a dominant Justin Herbert, finish with 10 wins and make the playoffs for the second consecutive season despite a 2–4 start. For better or worse, Brandon Staley keeps his job due to the team’s success.—Noah Camras
Denver Broncos
Bold prediction: The Broncos are back in business. Winners of two in a row—the most recent against the Chiefs who had won the previous 16 matchups—Denver suddenly has momentum and at the most opportune time. Sean Payton will make hay during his team’s Week 9 bye, and the Broncos will come out swinging with another Goliath awaiting on the other end in the Bills. Despite a 2–5 start, the Broncos lose only two more games and make the playoffs as an AFC wild-card team, vindicating Russell Wilson and showing that the Walton–Penner ownership group bet on the right head coach.—Chad Jensen
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Bold prediction: Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid blossoms during the latter half of his rookie season, becoming the strong second option Buffalo so desperately needs. He joins the rank of Lions tight end Sam LaPorta as one of the league’s best up-and-coming players at the position and justifies his first-round draft selection. That development—along with a reluctant increase in runs from quarterback Josh Allen—helps return the Bills’ offense back to the level fans have come to expect.—Anthony Licciardi
New England Patriots
Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports
Bold prediction: New England finishes with its worst season since going 2–14 in 1992. The Patriots haven’t won fewer than five games since 1993, but with a 2–7 record and leading receiver Kendrick Bourne out for the season, that streak may come to an end this year. The question then turns to what the Patriots decide to do with quarterback Mac Jones and coach Bill Belichick. But owner Robert Kraft is reportedly growing frustrated with the on-field product, and a disappointing finish to the season will only add to that.—Daniel Flick
Miami Dolphins
Bold prediction: The Dolphins’ defense will finish as a top-five unit. It took a while for the results to start showing up in Vic Fangio’s first year as Miami’s defensive coordinator, but this unit has been getting better by the week and shut down Kansas City’s offense after the first drive of the game in Germany in Week 9. The addition of Jalen Ramsey to the lineup will have a significant impact on the defense down the stretch and the pass-rushing tandem of Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips has been a factor every week since the middle of October..—Alain Poupart
New York Jets
Bold prediction: A competent Zach Wilson coupled with an elite defense will carry the Jets to a 10–7 record and a playoff spot, ending the franchise’s 12-year postseason drought. Adding to the euphoria, Aaron Rodgers makes a miraculous return from Achilles surgery right in time for an AFC wild-card victory in January.—Ralph Ventre
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Bold prediction: Given the progress seen the past few weeks, think this team led by Lamar Jackson and a salty defense is a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and I think they win the AFC this season. The Chiefs and Bills both have looked vulnerable at times this season, and if you asked me to pick today, I think Baltimore is poised to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 2012.—John Macon Gillespie
Cincinnati Bengals
Kareem Elgazzar/USA TODAY Network
Bold prediction: Joe Burrow is as healthy as he’s been since suffering a calf strain July 27. Look for him to level up and play the best ball of his career during the second half of the season. Not only will he guide the Bengals back to the postseason, but he’ll join the MVP conversation, which will be quite the accomplishment considering his less-than-stellar start to the season.—James Rapien
Pittsburgh Steelers
Bold prediction: The Steelers will win the AFC North. Pittsburgh seemingly always plays its best half of football at the end of the season. Mike Tomlin will help this team find its offensive identity, and Kenny Pickett will click at some point. With the defense carrying the team, they’ll go on a run in the second half of the year.—Noah Strackbein
Cleveland Browns
Bold prediction: There is only one relevant topic pertaining to the Browns and their playoff aspirations the rest of the season: When will Deshaun Watson be on the field and can he perform the way Cleveland expects him to given his massive, fully guaranteed contract? But what I’m most interested in watching is how Cleveland’s defense continues to perform after it got off to one of the best starts in franchise history. Even with a couple of small stumbles against the Colts and Seahawks, my bold prediction is that the Browns’ defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will be named the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year after the season ends.—Brendan Gulick
AFC SOUTH
Tennessee Titans
Bold prediction: Around the league, we’ve seen what rookie quarterbacks Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud can do, and we even got a quick glimpse of Anthony Richardson. In the second half of the season, we’re about to see what rookie Will Levis can do, too. Veteran QB Ryan Tannehill hasn’t been very good, and now he’s dealing with a high ankle sprain that might keep him out of the lineup for a few weeks at least. The Titans (3–5) are on the verge of starting to look to the future, and that starts with Levis, who tossed four touchdowns against the Falcons and played well against the Steelers.—Tom Brew
Indianapolis Colts
Bold prediction: Led by a resurgent Jonathan Taylor and the return of Jelani Woods, the Colts’ top-10 offense takes advantage of a weak remaining schedule to land a wild-card spot in the playoffs. The Colts sit at 3–5 with an offense led by Gardner Minshew, but did you know they’re the only team in the NFL this year to score 20 points in every game, and rank in the top 10 in both offense and scoring? Out of the Colts’ final nine opponents, only two of them are above .500. The Colts will center their offense around Taylor, who looks like his old self, and take advantage of matchups in the passing game featuring the freak athlete Woods, who is approaching his return from a hamstring injury that has kept him out all season to this point.—Jake Arthur
Houston Texans
Bold prediction: The Texans will finish the season with a winning record. Houston’s 4–4 mark at the midway point of the season is one few expected, mainly due to their young and inexperienced players and coach DeMeco Ryans. The Texans were at the bottom of the league the past three seasons, yet they have already hit 2022’s win total. They’ve been very solid on both sides of the ball, as 21-year-old quarterback C.J. Stroud is looking like the frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year after throwing for 470 yards and five touchdowns against the Buccaneers in Week 9. Based on the records of future opponents, the Texans could very well finish the season with a winning record. Ryans’s ability to quickly make this team an exciting one to talk about in the NFL community after three consecutive years at the bottom of the league could make him a Coach of the Year finalist as well.—Hunter De Siver
Jacksonville Jaguars
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