Welcome to the second of our two part look at the forthcoming NFL Season! Focusing on the 2023 NFC Season!
Check out part one when we review the AFC divisions, or stick around here for when we take a look at the NFC teams!
Last year it was the Philadelphia Eagles that reached the Super Bowl representing the NFC. Unfortunately, they fell to a narrow defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Eagles are just one of a number of NFC teams hoping for a chance to battle for the Lombardi Trophy again this season.
If you want to back any of the 16 NFC Teams for the Super Bowl, or maybe to win their Division or the Conference, then bet365 Sport is a great option.
Use our bet365 bonus code to sign up today and enjoy the wealth of NFL betting available now and throughout the season.
But without any further ado, here is our review of the 16 NFC teams.
NFC East Preview
Dallas Cowboys
- Head Coach – Mike McCarthy
- Last Season NFL Record – 12-5 (2nd)
- Key Loss – Connor McGovern (G)
- Key Arrival – Ronald Jones (RB)
- Star Players – Micah Parsons (OLB), Trevon Diggs (CB), Dak Prescott (QB)
- Divisional Odds – 9/5
- Super Bowl Odds – 14/1
If the Cowboys are going to reach the post season, it will be on the back of their defence, which for me is the best in the NFL when fully fit. Their battles with the Eagles will likely decide who tops this division, with Philly likely to come out on top.
New York Giants
- Head Coach – Brian Daboll
- Last Season NFL Record – 9-7-1
- Key Loss – Nick Gates (G)
- Key Arrival – Bobby Okereke (LB)
- Star Players – Kayvon Thibodeaux (OLB), Leonard Williams (DE), Darren Waller (TE)
- Divisional Odds – 7/1
- Super Bowl Odds – 40/1
Brian Daboll is doing a great job turning around the fortunes of the giants. That is built on a strong defense which proved its worth last season and will improve this. There’s still questions on offense which means I can’t quite see the playoffs for the Giants just yet though.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Head Coach – Nick Sirianni
- Last Season NFL Record – 14-3 (1st)
- Key Loss – Javon Hargrave (DT)
- Key Arrival – Rashaad Penny (RB)
- Star Players – Jalen Hurts (QB), AJ Smith (WR), Haason Reddick (OLB)
- Divisional Odds – 5/6 fav
- Super Bowl Odds – 8/1
The Eagles have lost some big names from last season’s Super Bowl finalist team. But they have also brought in some huge talent and drafted really well too. Nick Sirianni’s team looks set for another outstanding year and they should win this division comfortably.
Washington Commanders
- Head Coach – Ron Rivera
- Last Season NFL Record – 8-8-1 (4th)
- Key Loss – Cole Holcomb (LB)
- Key Arrival – Andrew Wylie (T)
- Star Players – Terry McLaurin (WR), Jonathan Allen (DT), Jahan Dotson (WR)
- Divisional Odds – 12/1
- Super Bowl Odds – 66/1
With the sale of the NFL franchise imminent, the Commanders state of limbo regarding their ownership should come to an end. That’s a bit too late to do much to improve their chances this season and I feel they’ll be a distant 4th in this division.
NFC North Preview
Chicago Bears
- Head Coach – Matt Eberflus
- Last Season NFL Record –3/14 (4th)
- Key Loss – David Montgomery (RB)
- Key Arrival – Tremaine Edmunds (ILB)
- Star Players – Justin Fields (QB), Tremaine Edmunds (MLB), DJ Moore (WR)
- Divisional Odds – 19/5
- Super Bowl Odds – 50/1
Much of this off season has seen the Bears GM trying to build a team around Justin Fields. DJ Moore is a great acquisition and Tremaine Edmunds is a huge positive on defence. They could be serious challengers to the Vikings for a playoff spot this season.
Detroit Lions
- Head Coach – Dan Campbell
- Last Season NFL Record – 9-8 (2nd)
- Key Loss – Jamaal Williams (RB)
- Key Arrival – Cam Sutton (CB)
- Star Players – Cam Sutton (CB), Aidan Hutchison (DE), Amon-Ra St Brown (WR)
- Divisional Odds – 13/10 favourites
- Super Bowl Odds – 22/1
Detroit showed massive improvement last season both in results and attitude. Dan Campbell’s approach is hugely impressive and I can see the Lions being the divisional winners here. However I am not sure how long they’ll last in the playoffs.
Green Bay Packers
- Head Coach – Matt LaFleur
- Last Season NFL Record – 8-9 (3rd)
- Key Loss – Aaron Rodgers (QB)
- Key Arrival – Lukas Van Ness (DE) – Draft
- Star Players – Jaire Alexander (CB), David Bakhtiari (T), Christian Watson (WR)
- Divisional Odds – 19/5
- Super Bowl Odds – 50/1
The post-Aaron Rodgers era was always going to be a tough one for the Packers when it came around. Now it has and with two of Rodgers favourite wide receivers following him to NY, this Packers team looks set for a big struggle this season.
Minnesota Vikings
- Head Coach – Kevin O’Connell
- Last Season NFL Record –13-4 (1st)
- Key Loss – Dalvin Tomlinson (DT)
- Key Arrival – Josh Oliver (TE)
- Star Players – Justin Jefferson (WR), Kirk Cousins (QB), Andrew Booth Jr. (CB)
- Divisional Odds – 3/1
- Super Bowl Odds – 40/1
Dalvin Tomlinson is a big loss, but they still have Justin Jefferson, who is almost a cheat code at Wide Receiver. This may be Kirk Cousin’s last hurrah as Vikings QB but with a rush attack lacking teeth, I fear this could be a tougher year for the Vikes.
NFC West Preview
Arizona Cardinals
- Head Coach – Jonathan Gannon
- Last Season NFL Record – 4-13 (4th)
- Key Loss – Zach Allen (DE)
- Key Arrival – Kyzir White (OLB)
- Star Players – Kyler Murray (QB), Budda Baker (S), Zach Ertz (TE)
- Divisional Odds – 25/1
- Super Bowl Odds – 175/1
Kyler Murray’s time in Arizona has not yielded the results that many would have been expecting. However, he is light on high quality support in Phoenix and with the Cardinals losing some key players in Free Agency, I think they could end up with the first pick in the draft next year.
Los Angeles Rams
- Head Coach – Sean McVay
- Last Season NFL Record – 5-12 (3rd)
- Key Loss – Nick Scott (S)
- Key Arrival – Coleman Shelton (G)
- Star Players – Cooper Kupp (WR), Aaron Donald (DT), Jordan Fuller (S)
- Divisional Odds – 9/1
- Super Bowl Odds – 66/1
The Rams rebuild continues and it is hard to see the Rams doing well this year. They have lost some key players, and brought in just a few salary savers in free agency. With quality in the team down further, it could be a painful year for Rams fans once again.
San Francisco 49ers
- Head Coach – Kyle Shanahan
- Last Season NFL Record – 13-4 (1st)
- Key Loss – Mike McGlinchey (T)
- Key Arrival – Javon Hargrave (DT)
- Star Players – Christian McCaffrey (RB), Nick Bosa (OLB), Fred Warner (MLB)
- Divisional Odds – 4/7 fav
- Super Bowl Odds – 9/1
On paper comfortably the best team in the division and I can’t see the 49ers having too many problems coming through this division as the winner. In fact, their record may well be good enough to land the top seed spot in the NFC.
Seattle Seahawks
- Head Coach – Pete Carroll
- Last Season NFL Record – 9-8
- Key Loss – Quinton Jefferson (DT)
- Key Arrival – Dre’Mont Jones (DE)
- Star Players – Dre’Mont Jones (DE), Tariq Woolen (CB), DK Metcalf (WR)
- Divisional Odds – 11/5
- Super Bowl Odds – 33/1
The Seahawks are rebuilding, but doing so in a way which keeps them competitive. Geno Smith may not be the long term solution in Seattle, but he’s doing a great job and Dre’Mont Jones addition means that they should still be giving the 49ers a few sleepless nights.
NFC South Preview
Atlanta Falcons
- Head Coach – Arthur Smith
- Last Season NFL Record – 7-10 (4th)
- Key Loss – Isaiah Oliver (CB)
- Key Arrival – Jessie Bates (S)
- Star Players – Kyle Pitts (TE), Jessie Bates (S), Drake London (WR)
- Divisional Odds – 11/5
- Super Bowl Odds – 66/1
The Falcons were written off by many last season, myself included and they finished with a respectable 7-10 record. However, Arthur Smith has invested in some decent signings this summer and this team could now be a surprise playoff contender in my view.
Carolina Panthers
- Head Coach – Frank Reich
- Last Season NFL Record – 7-10 (2nd)
- Key Loss – D’Onta Foreman (RB)
- Key Arrival – Miles Sanders (RB)
- Star Players – Ikem Ekwonu (T), Brian Burns (OLB), Jaycee Horn (CB)
- Divisional Odds – 4/1
- Super Bowl Odds – 66/1
For me, the Panthers are one of the teams to watch in the South. Much depends on how quickly Bryce Young settles in at QB. If he starts to connect, then with a very strong defense, the Panthers could well surprise a few in this division.
New Orleans Saints
- Head Coach – Dennis Allen
- Last Season NFL Record – 7-10 (3rd)
- Key Loss – David Onyemata (DT)
- Key Arrival – Derek Carr (QB)
- Star Players – Derek Carr (QB), Cam Jordan (DE), Marshon Lattimore (CB)
- Divisional Odds – 6/5 fav
- Super Bowl Odds – 33/1
Derek Carr’s arrival gives the Saints some stability at QB and, when fit, they have a strong receiving corps and decent defense. I think Dennis Allen will improve on last season’s showing with the Saints, but a playoff spot and beyond is a big ask.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Head Coach – Todd Bowles
- Last Season NFL Record – 8-9 (1st)
- Key Loss – Tom Brady (QB)
- Key Arrival – Greg Gaines (DT)
- Star Players – Mike Evans (WR), Vita Vea (NT), Shaquil Barrett (OLB)
- Divisional Odds – 7/1
- Super Bowl Odds – 80/1
It’s strange to see the Bucs now very much in rebuilding just a couple of years after the Super Bowl win. The veteran experiment is now over and it could be a painful couple of years before the Bucs are a genuine contender in the NFC South once again.
Our Predictions for Each Division – NFC
NFC East
- Philadelphia Eagles 13-4
- Dallas Cowboys – 11-6
- New York Giants – 9-8
- Washington Commanders 6-11
NFC North
- Detroit Lions – 11-6
- Minnesota Vikings – 10-7
- Chicago Bears 8-9
- Green Bay Packers – 4-13
NFC West
- San Francisco 49ers – 15-2
- Seattle Seahawks – 9-8
- Los Angeles Rams – 4-12-1
- Arizona Cardinals – 2-14-1
NFC South
- Carolina Panthers – 10-7
- Atlanta Falcons – 9-8
- New Orleans Saints – 8-9
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 5-12
NFC Playoff Seedings
- San Francisco 49ers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Detroit Lions
- Carolina Panthers
- Dallas Cowboys
- Minnesota Vikings
- Seattle Seahawks
NFC Conference Championship Game
- Detroit Lions 31-28 San Francisco 49ers
And Finally… The NFL Super Bowl Result
- Baltimore Ravens (AFC) 24-21 Detroit Lions (NFC)
*All odds shown in the article were correct with bet365 Sport at the time of writing, but may well have changed in the run up to the start of the NFL regular season.
