NFL Predictions: Super Bowl LV Rematch?

Using a full season simulator, I predicted the week-to-week outcome of the 2022-23 NFL season. See below for the AFC/NFC division standings plus playoff seedings and playoff predictions. Don't cry if you don't like my prediction for your favorite team. It's time for you to deal with reality so you aren't let down during the season.

AFC

The Texans and Jags continue to stink and will be picking in the top 6 in the 2023 NFL Draft. The AFC West proves to be a gauntlet but still get three teams into the playoffs. The Browns are unable to overcome the Watson suspension while the Bengals regress from last year. The Colts, with new QB Matt Ryan, just miss out on the playoffs because of a Monday Night home loss to the Steelers late in the season. The Chargers come up just short of the playoffs even with Herbert having a MVP caliber season. They lose a lot of close games and show they are still one year away from getting over the hump. The Pats and Dolphins have a disappointing season after high expectations with their young QBs.

NFC

The Bucs continue to dominate their division which helps them secure the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs. My surprise team of the year will be the Vikings. They will give the Packers a run for their money for the NFC North crown, however, the Packers just edge them out in the end. The Cowboys and Eagles battle it out for the NFC East and the Eagles just beat the Cowboys out for the division. The NFC West continues to be a battle with the top three teams all having 10 wins, however, only two make it to the playoffs. The bottom of the NFC gets dominated by the rest of the NFL. The bottom four teams will pick inside the top 5 in the 2023 draft. The Giants will move off of Daniel Jones, while the Falcons and Seahawks will also be looking for their next franchise QB. The Bears will have a rough season, however, they will lose a lot of close games and will continue to ride Justin Fields for the future. They will have their pick of the top WR or Will Anderson in the draft. The Lions will play spoiler this year. They will games they have no business winning and wouldn't surprise me if they ruin at least one teams season. Going 6-11 for the Lions should be looked as a great season and something to keep building on for future years. Only issue is they will play themselves out of the chance to draft Stroud or Young in the 2023 draft.

Playoffs

The Steelers and Cardinals make it as the 7th seed but neither team is able to win their playoff game on the road vs the Chiefs and Packers. Check out below for the rest of the playoff predictions.

The Raiders, Broncos, and Vikings all win their Wild Card Round road game. The Ravens and Lamar can't overcome their playoff woes. The Packers choke in the playoffs yet again and the Vikings magical run ends at the hands of Tom Brady and the Bucs. The Broncos first season with Russ Wilson comes to an end against their division foe in Mahomes and the Chiefs. We get playoff rematches from last year in the Conference Championship games. The Bills are unable to win a Conference Championship at home, while the Bucs get revenge against the Rams. The NFL is the greatest reality TV show in history. We get a Super Bowl rematch from two years ago and Tom Brady takes down Mahomes again in the Super Bowl in a instant classic this time around. Brady then retires a week later and goes out on top with 8 Super Bowl rings. Maybe 2023 will be the year the Bills get over the hump or Mahomes gets his second ring. However, it will all have to wait as we watch the greatest QB in history go out on top.

Sorry if you don't agree with my predictions or where I have your favorite team finishing. They are my predictions so deal with it and frig off. You'll be saying six months from now "damn, the bear was spot on with his predictions". So you can hate me now but thank me later for giving you the most accurate predictions for the 2022-23 NFL season.