After months’ worth of previews, it’s finally time: the 2023 NFL season is just around the corner. On Thursday, Sept. 7, the Kansas City Chiefs will host the Detroit Lions, and the season will be underway. Before we get there, we’re going to take one final look at our NFL 2023 predictions for the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and New York Giants.
All three teams are in divisions that are competitive, yet all three have expectations to be fighting for a Super Bowl come January and February.
The Bills and Giants both made the playoffs in 2022. New York made its first playoff appearance since 2016, while Buffalo made the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The Jets, though, have high hopes because of an offseason trade with the Green Bay Packers that helped them land four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.
Here is our final measure for how each NY NFL team will finish 2023, based on finishing position wagers at DraftKings.
Buffalo Bills: Lose in Divisional Round (+350)
With a competitive AFC East, the Bills should still come away with a division title for the fourth consecutive season. Josh Allen returns for another healthy season with his number one receiving weapon in Stefon Diggs. On top of that, Buffalo drafted tight end Dalton Kincaid from Utah with its first round pick. Kincaid provides Allen with another option in the passing game.
Defensively, it might look a little different than years past. Edge rusher Von Miller begins the season on the PUP list, which means he cannot play in the first four games of the season due to injury. Plus, Buffalo is coming off of multiple campaigns where it has made bids towards a Super Bowl.
The AFC is a loaded conference. The Chiefs are the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Bengals made the Super Bowl two years ago, and teams like the Jets and Miami Dolphins are making pushes toward contention.
The Bills have all the talent to be a Super Bowl team, but with plenty of coaches having left for better opportunities and players aging, the window could catch up to them. It would not be shocking if the Bills run into the Chiefs or Bengals in the Divisional Round only to lose to one of those opponents again. Take this safe prop bet on DraftKings.
New York Jets: Lose in Wild Card Round (+275)
The Jets enter 2023 with playoff expectations mainly because of the addition of Aaron Rodgers. The former Packers quarterback has been to 10 Pro Bowls, has four MVPs attached to his name, and a Super Bowl championship. Jets fans should be excited with a franchise-changing player at the most important position.
The Jets have not had great success in the last couple of decades. New York made two AFC Championship appearances nearly 15 years ago, and the squad last won the AFC East in 2002. With Rodgers, Garrett Wilson coming off of a 1,000-yard receiving season, and Sauce Gardner leading the defense after winning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, the hype is real.
With that, though, Rodgers is 39 years old and New York has very little playoff experience besides the quarterback. Head coach Robert Saleh has never been a head coach in a playoff game. The Jets will have a good regular season, but when it comes to games in January, potentially on the road, against teams such as the Bengals, Bills, or even the Baltimore Ravens, the Jets’ chances are not high.
New York Giants: Lose in Wild Card Round (+350)
The Giants are one of the most interesting teams in the NFL this season. Last year, New York exceeded expectations and made the playoffs. Furthermore, the Giants took down the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card Round. This year, the expectations are high, and with the acquisition of tight end Darren Waller, the offense should flourish.
The defense improved as well. New York signed linebacker Bobby Okereke to handle the second level. Plus, Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins, two rookies, are slated to start at cornerback. Both sides of the ball look promising.
The concern for the Giants is the lack of depth. If New York gets hit with the injury bug, then success will fall off. The Giants are a playoff team, but if they have to go up against a strong opponent in the first round, it will be too much for New York to handle given the lack of depth. This is a cautiously optimistic bet on DraftKings.
If Your Bet Wins
