It’s almost here, folks. The 2023 NFL season is just around the corner. After the league’s annual seven-month hiatus, anticipation for the new campaign couldn’t be any higher. There have been many talking points already throughout the close season. Fans and pundits alike will be wondering how they will affect next season.
The marquee trade was that of Aaron Rodgers. The legendary quarterback has left his beloved Green Bay Packers in search of greener pastures in New York. The 38-year-old will play for the New York Jets this season after trading to secure his services. Whether A-Rod can lead the Gang Green to the playoffs for the first time in 13 years remains to be seen.
And speaking of the draft, one team shone brighter than the others, namely the Houston Texans. They proceeded to bring in a new franchise quarterback in the form of C. J. Stroud and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. The NRG Stadium faithful hope these two can improve a team that performed dismally last term.
The reigning champions are of course the Kansas City Chiefs. Inspired by the brilliance of Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid’s men managed to secure a second Super Bowl in five seasons back in February with a dramatic victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Those who are betting on NFL odds will already know that the champs are the +650 favorites to retain the Lombardi this season.
The aforementioned Mahomes is the undisputed quarterback GOAT at present. But, there are a number of QBs that are primed and ready for a huge 2023. Here are two of them.
Joe Burrow
Has anyone resurrected a franchise quite like Joe Burrow and his Cincinnati Bengals? Before drafting the star, the Ohio outfit hadn’t reached the playoffs in five years and were without a postseason victory since 1990. Fast forward three years and Jackpot Joey and his Bengals have reached back-to-back AFC Championship games as well as a first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years.
The appearance came at the culmination of a blistering 2021 season. The Paycor Stadium outfit topped the AFC North for the first time in six years. They then proceeded to knock off the Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans en route to the conference championship game. There, they would meet Mahomes and his Chiefs. Much to the amazement of everyone, they managed to get the victory in overtime courtesy of Evan MacPherson’s field goal.
It looked as though they would be adding a maiden Lombardi to their trophy cabinet as well. That was until Cooper Kupp’s last-gasp touchdown secured a dramatic victory for the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium at Super Bowl LVI. But, last season the Bengals managed to bounce back from that heartbreaking defeat. They once again topped the AFC North last term and knocked off the Baltimore Ravens in the Wildcard round. This set up a crunch clash against the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional round.
The aforementioned Bills were Lombardi favorites last year. They were expected to get the victory over the Bengals and be in the AFC Championship. However, Jackpot Joey had other ideas.
Burrow delivered a masterclass to hand his team a 27-10 victory on the road and set up another AFC title game against the Chiefs. That would end in defeat, but the third time is the charm, right? The former LSU standout knows that the next step in both his and his Bengals’ evolution is that elusive Super Bowl trophy, and he may well deliver it at the end of the upcoming campaign.
Josh Allen
Another man primed and ready for a massive 2023 is their franchise quarterback Josh Allen. However, as Joe Burrow has resurrected the fortunes of the Cincinnati Bengals, the Bills are still unable to shake the tag of disappointment.
As we have mentioned, the New York state-based outfit was heavily favored to reach the Big Game last term. This was until Burrow stole the show. Bills faithful are used to this. Throughout the 1990s, they reached four consecutive Super Bowls. They remain the only team in history to achieve such a feat. Inexplicably, however, they lost all four of them.
Allen has changed the team’s fortunes. He managed to lead his team to the playoffs in his second season for just the second time this millennium. In 2020, the Bills reached the conference championship game. However, it seems that both the Chiefs and the Bengals have their number.
Next season, anything other than a Super Bowl appearance will be a disappointment. To do that, Allen must defeat his two nemeses, namely Mahomes and Burrow. If he can do that, then we may well see the Bills at Allegiant Stadium on February 11th.
