Top Bounce-Back Teams for the 2023 NFL Season

Only half of the playoff teams from 2021 managed to repeat their success in 2022. The NFL landscape experiences significant changes each year, resulting in a considerably different playoff lineup season after season. Many teams that were predicted to make the playoffs last year fell short, and the same will likely occur this year. These teams will be replaced by five or six surprise contenders that somehow find their way into the playoffs each year. Today, we will explore a few of those potential rebound teams and discuss why we believe they have the potential to play meaningful January football.

Here are our six best rebound candidates for the 2023 NFL season:

Obviously, Aaron Rodgers completely changed the outlook for the Jets’ season and franchise. By joining a young and talented core, Rodgers aims to prove to the NFL world that he can win outside of Green Bay. Last year, the Jets started off strong, going 7-4 before stumbling and losing their last six games—a remarkable collapse that once again made the Jets a subject of ridicule. However, with Rodgers on board, the Jets become a formidable team that strikes fear into their opponents. They now hold the seventh-best odds at +1600 (FanDuel) to bring home the Lombardi Trophy.  While the AFC East is as strong as it’s been in years, I have my doubts about Buffalo and Miami. If the Jets can stay healthy and navigate through a tough start to the season, they certainly have the potential to reach 10 or 11 wins. With their talent and newfound experience, they can position themselves to return to the playoffs, thus breaking the longest current drought in American sports.

Many predicted the Broncos to be among the better teams in 2022, especially with the addition of Russell Wilson. However, when they took the field, it seemed like they forgot how to play football. But now, with Sean Payton at the helm in 2023, the team has the potential to look significantly different. They have bolstered their offensive line, and with Payton’s coaching prowess, you have to think that he is going to get the most out of Russell Wilson. The buzz coming out of Denver suggests that Wilson is rejuvenated and poised to return to his Seattle form. The 2023 Broncos have a real chance to possess a lethal offense, with the Wilson-Jerry Jeudy connection, complemented by an above-average defense led by All-Pro CB Pat Surtain II. Playing in one of the toughest divisions in football is never easy, but Denver is determined to give the Chargers and Chiefs a run for their money. I have them finishing second in the AFC West, and securing a wild card spot.

Everyone seems to be optimistic about the Lions, and while I’m not as enthusiastic as most, they are certainly one of the top non-playoff teams from 2022 that could contend for the 2023 playoffs. They surprised many last season, finishing 9-8 and witnessing Jared Goff put up top-five QB numbers. The team’s ground game was outstanding, and Goff’s success played a significant role in that. Although Dan Campbell faced some defensive issues, we can expect improvements this year, especially with the addition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Gardner-Johnson, a strong veteran presence still plays a high level of football and will be the backbone of the Detroit defense. Rookie running back, Jahmyr Gibbs, is generating a lot of buzz at Lions camp. He is expected to take over for Jamaal Williams and share the workload with David Montgomery. Gibbs has been showcasing his highly praised agility, footwork, and speed, which clearly demonstrates why the Lions drafted him so high. While the Lions need several things to go right this season in order to improve, the NFC presents numerous opportunities, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Lions in a playoff game this year.

The 2022 Rams’ biggest storyline was the injury bug. After their Super Bowl win in 2021, Los Angeles experienced a remarkable decline. Key stars such as Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald only managed to play in 57% of the games last season. Sean McVay made some offseason changes, including revamping his offensive staff, in an effort to maximize the performance of an aging Stafford. Despite the undeniable talent on the team, the main question remains: Can they stay healthy, and will the role players effectively execute their responsibilities? A 5-12 record does not reflect the quality of a McVay-coached team, and he is too skilled of a coach to let a repeat of that happen again. I am willing to take a gamble on the Rams’ stars staying healthy and McVay’s coaching prowess shining through.

The NFC South is wide open, with all four teams being in similar positions at this point in the year, It is anyone’s division to win. The Falcons have made major defensive improvements this offseason by adding Jessie Bates III, Jeff Okudah, Calais Campbell, and Bud Dupree, aiming to overcome their bottom-ten performance from last season. On the offensive side, they were league average but grabbed a difference maker by selecting Bijan Robinson as the fifth overall pick for the RB spot. While some analysts didn’t favor the pick, Atlanta prioritized selecting the best available player regardless of position, and Bijan is expected to make an impact from week one along with the addition of Taylor Heinicke. The Bears, Panthers, and Saints have also shown significant improvements, however, the Falcons missed out on the playoffs by just one game last season, securing seven wins. Considering the roster overhaul that has taken place, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Falcons leading the pack in 2023.

Mike Tomlin is widely regarded as one of the best and most successful coaches in the game. Throughout his 16 seasons as head coach, he has never had a losing season, and there’s no reason to believe that streak will end now. Considering his achievements last year, despite having a rookie QB, a lackluster run game, and his best player injured for a significant portion of the season, it’s exciting to speculate on what they can accomplish this season. Kenny Pickett had a solid rookie campaign and is expected to improve even further, especially with a full offseason of building chemistry with Diontae Johnson and George Pickins. Additionally, the team’s decision to use their first-round pick on Brodrick Jones to bolster the offensive line indicates their commitment to enhancing Najee Harris’ potential and getting the most out of the young star RB. Furthermore, T.J. Watt’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year award season was cut short due to injury, interrupting his streak of three consecutive first-team All-Pro selections. A full season of Watt’s contributions will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the defense and make the Steelers strong contenders to secure a playoff spot once again. Overall, the future looks bright for Mike Tomlin’s team, yet again.