With 8 weeks down, we are virtually midway during the 2023 NFL common season. That method the playoffs are already at the horizon, and with them, Super Bowl LVIII. In truth, Friday marks the beginning of the 100-day countdown till Super Bowl Sunday.
That’s proper. There are most effective 100 days till the final ultimate contenders move head to head for the following Lombardi Trophy. Who will likely be status for the championship showdown? Which groups are preferred to move the gap? And what are the largest storylines to track within the period in-between? We’ve were given you lined with 100 things to know, as Friday marks 100 days out from Super Bowl LVIII:
Super Bowl information
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1. Super Bowl LVIII will likely be performed on Sunday, Feb. 11.
2. Kickoff is scheduled for six:30 p.m. ET.
3. The host website online is Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, adjoining to Las Vegas.
4. Allegiant Stadium is the latest NFL venue along SoFi Stadium in California, opening in 2020.
5. This would be the first Super Bowl ever held within the state of Nevada.
6. Super Bowl LVIII will air on CBS, Nickelodeon and Paramount+.
7. The Nickelodeon structure, which debuted in 2020 and can also be featured on Christmas Day this season, will likely be specifically adapted to child and kin audiences, with splashy graphics, Nickelodeon tie-ins and particular visitors. Note: This marks the primary time in NFL historical past that the Super Bowl will likely be broadcast in two other codecs, with CBS sporting the standard broadcast of the sport and Nickelodeon airing an unique kids- and family-friendly telecast.Â
8. The sport can also be streamed on NFL+, NFL.com and the NFL app.
9. The CBS broadcast staff will come with Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (colour statement) and Tracy Wolfson, Evan Washburn and Jay Feely (sideline newshounds), in conjunction with Gene Steratore (regulations analyst).
10. Grammy-winning R&B singer Usher will carry out the halftime display.
Top 10 Super Bowl favorites
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According to Caesars Sportsbook odds:
11. The Chiefs (+500) have complex to 3 of the final 4 Super Bowls.
12. The 49ers (+525) have made 3 NFC name games within the final 4 years.
13. The Eagles (+550) have reached the Super Bowl two times within the final six years.
14. The Dolphins (+900) are 6-2 and boast the NFL’s No. 1-ranked offense.
15. The Cowboys (+1000) are on tempo for a 3rd directly 12-win season.
16. The Ravens (+1000) are 6-2 and boast the NFL’s No. 1 scoring protection.
17. The Lions (+1300) are 14-4 courting again to November of final season.
18. The Jaguars (+1600) are 13-4 courting again to November of final season.
19. The Bills (+1700) have made the Divisional Round in 3 directly seasons.
20. The Bengals (+1800) have made two directly AFC name games.
Key storylines
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21. Are the Chiefs the similar outdated Chiefs?
Kansas City could also be preferred to win all of it, which is sensible taking into consideration how incessantly they have discovered a brand new tools down the stretch. Their quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, stays on a Hall of Fame trajectory only a half-decade into his profession as a starter. But their in most cases easy offense has been often sputtery midway thru 2023, with most effective tight finish Travis Kelce providing stable manufacturing at go catcher. On the intense facet, the Chiefs’ protection appears to be like higher than it has in years.
22. Can San Francisco continue to exist the warfare of attrition?
The 49ers got here inside of one sport of the Super Bowl in 2022 regardless of dropping two other QBs to damage. This 12 months, the improbably poised fill-in Brock Purdy has after all encountered a few of his personal hiccups, however his late-game turnovers had been exacerbated via accidents to stars like Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel. Few coaches are extra lauded for his or her offensive technique than the 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan, however his lineup can not manage to pay for many extra losses.
23. Are the Eagles the staff to beat?
A 12 months after taking the Chiefs to the twine within the Super Bowl, Philly opened 2023 in an underrated funk, scraping via inferior foes as QB Jalen Hurts uncharacteristically struggled to regulate the ball. Hurts’ turnover streak stays, however he nonetheless ranks moment amongst all QBs in overall rankings whilst feeding the uncoverable A.J. Brown. Better but, he and the Eagles, who additionally boast a defensive entrance that is extra bodily and seize than ever, by no means blink within the face of hassle. No one’s were given a greater report (7-1) getting into Week 9.
24. Can the Dolphins stay this up till January?
We’ve noticed Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle submit video-game numbers ahead of, however we have but to see Mike McDaniel’s electrical offense beneath the really vivid lighting. Off to every other MVP-caliber get started after an injury-shortened 2022, Tagovailoa wishes his offensive line and protection to get more healthy because the 12 months progresses. If that occurs, there is not every other contender with as a lot natural firepower at the offensive facet. They’d make for probably the most entertaining Super Bowl chances.
25. Are the Bengals again from the lifeless?
The Chiefs’ top AFC competitors getting into the 12 months, Cincinnati appeared like a shell of itself out of the gate, with megastar QB Joe Burrow stumbling thru a lingering calf damage. Burrow’s picked up a wide variety of steam in fresh weeks, alternatively, and his downfield chemistry with speedster Ja’Marr Chase is at the similar degree as Mahomes-Kelce, Tagovailoa-Hill and Hurts-Brown. With the Bengals additionally touting a borderline top-10 go rush, it is not wild to envision them spoiling different golf equipment’ desires past due within the 12 months.
Top 10 MVP applicants
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If you might be in search of an concept of which gamers are guidance top contenders’ name probabilities, glance no additional than the oddsmakers’ favorites to take domestic this 12 months’s top particular person accolade, courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook:
26. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (+330) leads the NFL with 18 TD passes.
27. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (+330) has gained two MVPs within the final 5 years.
28. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (+400) is on tempo for shut to 40 overall TDs.
29. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (+500) is finishing 70.5% of his passes.
30. Bills QB Josh Allen (+1300) leads all QBs with 22 overall TDs.
31. 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (+1800) has scored in 17 directly games.
32. Bengals QB Joe Burrow (+2000) has thrown 45 TDs in his final 1.5 seasons.
33. 49ers QB Brock Purdy (+2000) leads all QBs in yards consistent with throw (9.1).
34. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (+2200) is 13-4 in his final 17 begins.
35. Lions QB Jared Goff (+3500) has 41 TDs and 12 INTs because the get started of 2022.
Best non-MVP difference-makers
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These gamers don’t seem to be atop oddsmakers’ lists for NFL MVP, however they are a number of the maximum implementing within the sport:
36. Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill is already over 1,000 receiving yards thru 8 games, averaging a career-high 16.6 yards consistent with catch because the home-run hitter of a historical offense. His pace is unrivaled.
37. Eagles WR A.J. Brown is the sport’s top bodily specimen out large, on tempo for a moment directly 12 months of one,400+ yards as Jalen Hurts’ forever-trusted No. 1. He’s serving to elevate Philly’s offense.
38. Bills WR Stefon Diggs is Mr. Automatic for Josh Allen in Buffalo, main the NFL in each catches (64) and objectives (90). He’s smartly on tempo for a fourth directly season of a minimum of 1,200 yards.
39. Cowboys LB Micah Parsons is the do-it-all centerpiece of Dallas’ opportunistic protection. Two years after profitable Defensive Rookie of the Year, he is were given six sacks and 14 QB hits in seven games.
40. Browns DE Myles Garrett is likely one of the greatest causes Cleveland’s stayed aggressive regardless of turmoil at QB. The perennial All-Pro leads the NFL in pressured fumbles and ranks moment in QB hits (17).
Key accidents
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41. The Vikings misplaced QB Kirk Cousins to a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 8.
42. Minnesota in the past misplaced megastar WR Justin Jefferson to a hamstring damage, which has value the Pro Bowler 3 games and counting. He’s assured to pass over a minimum of 4 weeks on injured reserve.
43. The Jets misplaced QB Aaron Rodgers to an Achilles tear in Week 1, although the longtime Packers megastar is not ruling out a possible go back past due within the season, particularly if New York stays within the playoff dialog. Former first-round pick out Zach Wilson has began each and every next sport in Rodgers’ position.
44. The Colts misplaced QB Anthony Richardson to a season-ending shoulder damage in Week 5. Veteran backup Gardner Minshew has since taken over.
45. The Browns had been with out QB Deshaun Watson for 4 games due to a shoulder damage, beginning journeyman backup P.J. Walker in his position.
46. The Cardinals had been with out QB Kyler Murray since Week 1 due to ACL rehab, beginning backup Joshua Dobbs in his position. Arizona modified to rookie Clayton Tune forward of Week 9, however Murray is anticipated to go back quickly.
47. The Titans misplaced QB Ryan Tannehill to an ankle damage in Week 6, prompting rookie second-rounder Will Levis to make his NFL debut two weeks later.
48. The Raiders had been with out QB Jimmy Garoppolo for 2 games due to a couple of accidents, beginning backups Brian Hoyer and Aidan O’Connell in his position.
49. The Bears misplaced QB Justin Fields to a hand damage in Week 6, forcing undrafted rookie backup Tyson Bagent to get started a minimum of 3 games in his position.
50. The Browns misplaced RB Nick Chubb to a season-ending knee damage in Week 2.
New faces in new puts
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The following notable names not too long ago joined new groups forward of the NFL’s Halloween business cut-off date:
51. QB Joshua Dobbs (Cardinals to Vikings)
52. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (Browns to Lions)
53. WR Mecole Hardman (Jets to Chiefs)
54. OG Ezra Cleveland (Vikings to Jaguars)
55. DE Montez Sweat (Commanders to Bears)
56. DE Chase Young (Commanders to 49ers)
57. DL Leonard Williams (Giants to Seahawks)
58. CB Rasul Douglas (Packers to Bills)
59. S Kevin Byard (Titans to Eagles)
Dobbs may just finally end up beginning nearly all of the Vikings’ ultimate games within the wake of Cousins’ damage; the previous Browns backup discovered the Cardinals’ machine on principally 0 understand and fared relatively smartly for Arizona to open 2023. Cleveland bolsters Jacksonville’s intensity up entrance. But the largest adjustments got here at the line of defense, the place the Commanders went full-on rebuild via unloading each Sweat and Young off the brink. The former after all offers Chicago a reputable QB hunter, albeit till his scheduled 2024 loose company. Young, in the meantime, slots in reverse Nick Bosa on San Francisco’s underperforming however loaded entrance seven.
Spoilers and underdogs
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We can all agree groups just like the Dolphins, Eagles and Chiefs will have to be within the combine to make playoff noise. But listed here are a few different groups who deserve some sleeper attention, even supposing simply as late-year surprises:
60. The Saints have in point of fact struggled to get issues at the board even with skilled starters like Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara on offense, however they are in a wide-open department with a stingy protection. Hosting a wild-card sport would not be wild.
61. The Seahawks would not have the steadiness in their NFC West rival 49ers, and Geno Smith’s interceptions are changing into one thing of a weekly worry. But they are bodily with a stout run “D,” which bodes smartly for the iciness months.
62. The Vikings‘ hopes of catching up to the Lions all however evaporated when Kirk Cousins went down. But Josh Dobbs’ arrival — and Justin Jefferson’s eventual go back — will have to stay them feisty so long as Brian Flores’ protection remains competitive.
63. The Browns cannot be taken severely till they in finding some semblance of rhythm at QB, the place Deshaun Watson’s but to even keep at the box. But a powerful defensive entrance will have to assist them stay a difficult out all through the season.
64. The Texans are more than likely a 12 months clear of really contending, however rookie QB C.J. Stroud has been extra polished than anticipated, whilst new trainer DeMeco Ryans’ protection is holding them in ballgames on a weekly foundation.
Crucial matchups ultimate
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Note: Prime-time games marked with an asterisk.
65. Chiefs vs. Dolphins (Week 9)
66. Cowboys at Eagles (Week 9)
67. Bills at Bengals (Week 9)*
68. 49ers at Jaguars (Week 10)
69. Lions at Chargers (Week 10)
70. Bengals at Ravens (Week 11)*
71. Jets at Bills (Week 11)
72. Eagles at Chiefs (Week 11)*
73. 49ers at Seahawks (Week 12)*
74. Bills at Eagles (Week 12)
75. Ravens at Chargers (Week 12)*
76. Seahawks at Cowboys (Week 13)*
77. 49ers at Eagles (Week 13)
78. Bengals at Jaguars (Week 13)*
79. Bills at Chiefs (Week 14)
80. Eagles at Cowboys (Week 14)*
81. Cowboys at Bills (Week 15)
82. Ravens at Jaguars (Week 15)*
83. Bengals at Steelers (Week 16)
84. Cowboys at Dolphins (Week 16)
85. Ravens at 49ers (Week 16)*
86. Jets at Browns (Week 17)*
87. Lions at Cowboys (Week 17)*
88. Dolphins at Ravens (Week 17)
89. Bengals at Chiefs (Week 17)
90. Bills at Dolphins (Week 18)
Predictions
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91. The Chiefs triumph over their fairly sluggish get started to seize their 8th consecutive AFC West name, plus the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
92. The Ravens win a difficult AFC North, and Lamar Jackson finishes as a top MVP vote-getter within the procedure.
93. The Dolphins get a complete 17-game slate from Tua Tagovailoa, who outduels Josh Allen in Week 18 to input the playoffs.
94. The 49ers are pressured to name upon QB Sam Darnold ahead of the tip of the 12 months however nonetheless win the NFC West.
95. The Saints overtake the Falcons to win the NFC South, completing with a top-five protection.
96. The Lions run away with the NFC North, however somewhere else within the department …
97. The Vikings sneak into the playoffs regardless of dropping Kirk Cousins, with Kevin O’Connell drawing Coach of the Year attention.
98. The Commanders announce a mutual head training exchange right away following Week 18.
99. The Jaguars contend for the AFC’s top seed, then later disillusioned the reigning champion Chiefs within the playoffs.
100. The Eagles live much longer than the Cowboys within the NFC East, making sure Nick Sirianni’s 3rd directly go back and forth to the postseason.