Trying to expect the Super Bowl LVIII champion at the moment is nearly as onerous as hitting a hole-in-one or bowling a 300 sport. OK, it will not be that onerous, however correctly predicting this 12 months’s champ is an attractive daunting process, given the entirety that would and in the long run will occur over the following 94 days.
It’s somewhat more straightforward to forecast what to expect during the second half of the 2023 season. Honestly, there is a couple of attempted and true storylines that apparently pop up on the finish of every marketing campaign, normally relating to America’s Team. Those storylines will indubitably resurface overdue within the season, whilst present storylines will succeed in a conclusion.
No, I should not have a crystal ball (or Biff’s almanac, however that would not do me a lot excellent in 2023 in any case), however I’ve an attractive excellent thought as to what you’ll be able to expect to see spread during the second half of the NFL’s common season. Here’s a have a look at the 5 things you’ll be able to expect to see play out over the following 9 weeks, beginning with one of the NFL’s largest storylines during the season’s first half.
Rodgers’ return
Honestly, essentially the most “exciting” phase of Monday evening’s sport between the Jets and Chargers used to be Aaron Rodgers’ pregame warmup. The four-time MVP, who is much forward of agenda following September’s Achilles surgical treatment, stated on Tuesday that he is greater than a pair weeks away from making his extremely expected return. Rodgers additionally stated that the crew clearly has to be “in the mix” if he’s going to get again at the box.
Rodgers is not going to come again to a dreadful crew this is manner out of playoff rivalry. That places much more weight at the Jets’ upcoming video games.
Looking on the Jets’ agenda, at the side of Rodgers’ unfastened timetable for a possible return, the previous Packer may be able to be concentrated on the Jets’ Week 16 Christmas Eve house sport towards the Commanders as his first sport again. That would give him six extra weeks to recuperate. He may just then make his return at house towards a mediocre crew prior to New York finishes the common season with street video games towards Cleveland and New England.
Sitting at 4-4, the Jets could have to win no less than two of their subsequent 5 video games for this to turn into an opportunity. That would put New York at 6-7 getting into Week 16. Not very best, however would most likely put them “in the mix” of playoff hopeful groups.
Getting two wins over that span would possibly not be simple. The Jets have upcoming street video games towards the Raiders and Bills prior to coming house to face the Dolphins. New York will then play host to the Falcons and Texans prior to dealing with the Dolphins in Miami in Week 15.
If they may be able to get two wins over this stretch, there is for sure an opportunity that Rodgers would make his return when the Commanders come to the town on Christmas Eve.
Burrow, Jackson distance themselves in MVP race
There’s one thing fascinating taking place within the AFC North department. The handiest department the place each crew has 5 wins, the North options two groups and two quarterbacks who’re having a look to make statements during the second half of the season and into the postseason.
Let’s get started with the Ravens, who’re 7-2 and 1.5 video games forward of the remaining of the pack within the North. Per same old, a large explanation why for Baltimore’s good fortune has been Lamar Jackson, who has thrived this 12 months within new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s offense.
An MVP winner 4 years in the past, Jackson is as soon as once more enjoying at that stage. He’s main the NFL in finishing touch proportion, has thrice as many landing passes (9) as interceptions (3) and has run for 5 touchdowns whilst averaging 5.2 yards in keeping with raise. He’s benefitted by means of an impressive working sport, a deep receiving corps and the league’s top-ranked protection.
In Cincinnati, the Bengals’ season is enjoying out how it did final 12 months, when Joe Burrow and Co. overcame an 0-2 get started to make it again to inside of one sport of the Super Bowl. During that run, Burrow emerged as a valid MVP candidate. He did not win the award, however he did obtain his first Pro Bowl nod whilst main Cincinnati to a second instantly AFC North department crown.
Burrow is following that very same trajectory. He’s been particularly excellent during the last two video games, throwing 5 touchdowns (without a alternatives) whilst finishing 77.6% of his throws.
Both gamers can improve their MVP possibilities in Week 11, when the Bengals face the Ravens in Baltimore on “Thursday Night Football.” That sport will even pass far in figuring out who wins the NFL’s best department.
Parsons, Garrett combat for DPOY
Like the MVP race, I feel the league’s height defensive participant award will in the long run be a two-man race between Cowboys tremendous linebacker Micah Parsons and Browns sport wrecker Myles Garrett. Neither participant has received the award prior to, however I don’t believe that would be the case for for much longer.
I individually assume Garrett will take house the award. He’s recently tied for second within the NFL with 9.5 sacks and tied for first with 4 pressured fumbles. He’s been the motive force at the back of a Browns crew this is 5-3 regardless of Nick Chubb’s season-ending damage and Deshaun Watson’s underwhelming play.
Garrett recently has the brink, however I may just see Parsons creating a overdue price, particularly given how he is performed as of overdue. He’s had no less than one sack in every of the Cowboys’ final 3 video games and had 1.5 sacks and 9 tackles final week in Philadelphia.
Belichick hypothesis continues
As nice as he is been, Bill Belichick in all probability now not getting the risk to end on his personal phrases in New England is not a complete surprise. Robert Kraft, a Patriots fan lengthy prior to he purchased the crew, wasn’t happy when Tom Brady left the town in 2020, and he has presented refined warnings the previous few offseasons that the Patriots wanted to get again to their profitable tactics.
Well, that hasn’t took place. The Patriots are 2-7 and might be enjoying meaningless video games in December. It’ll mark the 3rd time prior to now 4 years that New England has now not participated within the postseason.
Belichick could have signed a long-term extension this previous offseason, however that won’t prevent Kraft from transferring on in any case. There’s been studies linking the Commanders as a possible business spouse in regards to the Patriots and Belichick, whose occupation in New England if truth be told started after he used to be traded from the Jets. It could be an ironic finishing to one of essentially the most mythical runs in NFL historical past.
Don’t expect the rumors surrounding Belichick to finish anytime quickly. If anything else, expect the studies, rumors and rumblings to handiest build up within the coming weeks.
More ‘Tush Push’
The Philadelphia Eagles’ continuously imitated and occasionally duplicated quarterback sneak will likely be a fair larger phase of the 2023 season during the second half. Teams are in large part having good fortune working permutations of the play, so there is no explanation why to assume that golf equipment will prevent the usage of the play now.
Many groups have already tailored the play, and you’ll be able to expect that just about each crew will check out it one day during the season. You too can financial institution on groups working “fake” tush pushes like the only the Eagles completed close to the tip of their Week 8 win over the Commanders.
This is not going out on a limb, however I might consider that various giant performs will come with the “Tush Push” during the second half of the season. The play may just rather well decide department championships, playoff groups or even who wins the coveted No. 1 seed in every convention.