The 2023 NFL season is still a number of months away, but anticipation is already ramping up ahead of the curtain raiser which will see the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Detroit Lions on home turf at Arrowhead Stadium on September 7th. The recent NFL Draft did plenty to add excitement to what is already a mouth-watering prospect on the horizon. The Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans both stole the show in the annually hosted event, but will their selections be able to transfer the fortunes of both franchises?
Another franchise whose fortunes are in dire need of a change in direction is the Green Bay Packers. But how are their preparations going ahead of the new season, and will they be contenders for glory in the postseason next winter?
Rating the Packers’ Chances
Unfortunately for all of you cheeseheads out there, it looks like another rough season could be in the cards at Lambeau Field. Last season, the Green Bay Packers missed out on the playoffs for the first time in four years and just the seventh time this millennium. They headed into their final game of the season at home against their rival Detroit Lions knowing that victory would secure their spot in the postseason. However, they somehow conspired to shockingly lose by a score of 20-17.
Following that defeat, the Packers’ stock has tumbled, and so have their Super Bowl chances. Bodog’s NFL odds and futures and futures currently make the Packers +6500 outsiders to pick up a first Lombardi in 13 years. To put that into perspective, only the Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccanneers, Houston Texans, and the Arizona Cardinals have longer odds than the Packers. And their chances haven’t been helped by the departure of one of the greatest players of all time.
Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers has recently been traded away after 17 years of service which saw him become one of the great quarterbacks in the history of the game. The 39-year-old has moved on to new pastures at MetLife Stadium, signing a megamoney deal with the New York Jets. Jordan Love will now take over as the starting QB on the Packers roster, and he will be hoping for a smooth transition from reserve to top dog.
So, unfortunately for Packers fans, their team isn’t considered a contender this year. But who are the favorites to make it all the way to Allegiant Stadium next February?
Kansas City Chiefs
It’s no surprise that the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs are the +600 favorites to take another Lombardi back to Missouri this season. They have reached at least the AFC Championship game in each of the last five seasons, appearing in three Super Bowls during that same run and turning two of those Big Game appearances into championships. Last season, they mounted a stunning comeback inside Glendale’s State Farm Stadium to overthrow the Philadelphia Eagles and secure the Lombardi.
The Chiefs have a stacked roster however, it is at quarterback where they truly shine. Patrick Mahomes has taken over the mantle as the greatest quarterback in the league following the retirement of Tom Brady, and despite being just 27 years of age, he is already being considered an all-time great. Throughout last season’s playoffs, he led his team to victory on each occasion despite having an injured ankle, and if he is fit and firing this fall, you can expect him to impress once again.
Other Contenders
There are a number of other contenders all vying for the Chiefs’ crown. Their two closest rivals in the AFC come in the form of the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals. That pair met in the divisional stage of the playoffs last season, with the latter running out as a dominant 27-10 victor courtesy of the brilliance of Joe Burrow. The former LSU standout and Heisman have transformed the fortunes at Paycor Stadium, and he will be aiming to get revenge over the reigning champions.
Back in 2021, Burrow led his side to a stunning upset victory over the Chiefs in the Conference Championship game, leading Cincy to their first Super Bowl in 33 years. In the end, however, they would ultimately come up short against the Los Angeles Rams. To make matters worse, in the following campaign, the Chiefs would have their revenge in the AFC Championship game, leaving the Bengals to go back to the drawing board.
In the NFC, the clear frontrunners for glory are the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers. The Eagles were the outstanding team throughout the regular season last year and they made it all the way to the Super Bowl. But despite heroics from quarterback Jalen Hurts, they were unable to hang on for the victory.
The 49ers meanwhile have to ensure that they keep their starting quarterback fit. Last season, all three of their QBs suffered injuries, meaning that the fourth choice Josh Johnson had to finish the NFC Championship game. If they can do that, they will threaten once more.