Bold predictions for 2023 NFL season

In two days, we have NFL football. In five days, we have a full NFL Sunday. No more messing around here, it's time to make some bold predictions for the 2023 season.

Bark Bets' 2023 NFL predictions

AFC standings

1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. New York Jets
5. Cincinnati Bengals
6. Buffalo Bills
7. Pittsburgh Steelers

We've gone on record time and time again about the value we're seeing in Jacksonville, built by how bad the rest of its division is set to be. With the other three AFC divisions all set to be more competitive, we like the path on the Jags to pile up the most wins in the conference.

We'll also shake things up a bit here and put two of the AFC's best from the last few seasons down at the wild card in the Bengals and Bills. This is more a testament to how well-rounded Baltimore and New York are becoming, rather than an indictment of what's to come for Cincy and Buffalo.

AFC Championship Game: No. 3 Baltimore over No. 1 Jacksonville

We'll diversify our bets a bit, since we're already on the Jags to make the Super Bowl, and put a different stake on Baltimore here. For the first time in his career, Lamar Jackson has a full crop of pass-catching options at his disposal. Couple that with a strong running back group, solid offensive line and a defense with quality pieces, and the Ravens look the part of a team that can rise above a loaded AFC. The Ravens are currently +1100 to make the Super Bowl.

NFC standings

1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. Detroit Lions
4. Carolina Panthers
5. San Francisco 49ers
6. Dallas Cowboys
7. Chicago Bears

Don't sleep on Seattle grabbing the NFC West this year. San Francisco may have a better roster, but they also have major questions at QB. We're sorry but we have not yet bought into Brock Purdy as a legitimate above-average starting quarterback in this league. The Seahawks have been drafting beautifully for years and have a deep and exciting roster to build on their wild-card berth from last season. We're also looking forward to seeing what Justin Fields can do in his third season with some new pieces throughout the offense. The NFC is a far less competitive conference, and the seventh seed in the playoffs seems likely to be 9-8 or 8-9. That could be enough for Chicago given their schedule.

NFC Championship: No. 1 Philadelphia over No. 5 San Francisco

We get a rematch of last year's NFC Championship Game, with the same result. Philadelphia is the most complete team in the NFL with one of the league's best quarterbacks. Their offense should only get better, and their defense may actually be stronger this year with a new scheme and exciting young prospects. It's Super Bowl or bust in Philly this season, with the price set at +650 for exactly that.

Super Bowl: Eagles over Ravens

In the news ...

College Football Week 1 sees upsets and the arrival of Colorado — Deion Sanders and Colorado got the nation's attention in a hurry, taking down last year's runner-up, No. 17 TCU, 45-42 on the road. Colorado was 20.5-point underdogs, and just like that the Buffs are exciting. QB Shedeur Sanders and two-way WR/CB phenom Travis Hunter both saw their Heisman odds elevate after their performances, with each currently listed at +3500. Elsewhere around the country, No. 8 Florida State leveled No. 5 LSU, and Duke took down No. 9 Clemson. The game of the weekend this coming Saturday has to be Alabama-Texas, both top-10 teams in the country. The Crimson Tide are 7.5-point favorites.

Dodgers' Julio Urias arrested for domestic violence — For the second time in four years, Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias was arrested for domestic violence. The latest incident occurred late Sunday night, and Urias is currently out on bail with a court date set for later this month. Los Angeles has announced that Urias will not travel with the team until more facts are uncovered, and MLB has yet to make a decision on any potential discipline.  

Keep an eye on Brian Burns and the Panthers — Carolina cannot afford to play without their star edge rusher Brian Burns, and it appears a potential contract holdout might be brewing at the last minute. Burns has sat out two straight practices, and murmurs suggest it's because he wants a new contract. Burns has established himself as one of the league's best pass rushers, fresh off a 12.5-sack season. Carolina is currently +3.5 in Atlanta for Week 1 this Sunday. Burns' absence would make it more difficult to cover against an intriguing Falcons offense.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll. For more from Griffin, follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.