With the 2023 NFL preseason underway, both teams and fans have a chance to see their players in action against live competition. Now is the time for teams to evaluate who will make the final 53-man roster, who to watch, who will have a breakout season, and who will be cut.
That being said, with the regular season three weeks away, here are my top ten rankings!
1.) Kansas City Chiefs – Mahomes, Kelce, and Reid. Until someone comes and knocks them off, the champs stay number one with a bullet.
2.) Philadelphia Eagles – Arguably the stiffest challenger to the champs, Jalen Hurts is only scratching the surface of his true potential. And that should scare everyone in the NFL!
3.) Cincinnati Bengals – The one team that can say they are the proverbial kryptonite to the defending champions, the Bengals have bigger concerns to deal with in their own Superman straining his calf in QB Joe Burrow.
4.) Buffalo Bills – Yeah, yeah, yeah!!! Bills Mafia is gonna be mad at me for having Buffalo this low, but until they can get over that mental hump in losing to both KC and Cincy in back-to-back postseasons, I’m not sold on them, and honestly, I think Allen and company have peaked.
5.) San Francisco 49ers – Is Brock Purdy the real deal? Time to prove if Mr. Irrelevant is the truth or just a flash in the pan out in the Bay.
6.) Baltimore Ravens – New contract. New offensive coordinator. New playmakers on the outside in OBJ and Zay Flowers, the luxury of excuses is running out for Lamar Jackson.
7.) L.A. Chargers – Much like the Ravens, the ‘Bolts handed franchise QB Justin Herbert a new five-year $262.5 million contract extension and a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore. It’s all or nothing for the former Oregon Duck.
8.) Dallas Cowboys – Yes, they may be America’s Team. But until they can prove that they can win when it counts, it makes no difference if Dak throws zero-to-none INTs
9.) N.Y. Jets – Perhaps a bit high on this list, but when you add a generational QB such as Aaron Rodgers to a squad that already has the reigning Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in WR Garrett Wilson and DB Sauce Gardner, along with a solid run game and tough defensive line, these Jets are primed for takeoff.
10.) Miami Dolphins – I am trusting Tua to stay healthy and arguably the fastest offense in the NFL along with Vic Fangio’s defense to carry the Dolphins until Jalen Ramsey returns from injury. The Fish are out to hunt this season.
Honorable mention: Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints