The 2023 NFL season is almost upon us. Once again, the preseason NFL odds tab the Kansas City Chiefs as the Super Bowl favourites just months after Patrick Mahomes lifted the Lombardi Trophy for a second time.
It has been a typically eventful offseason with trade sagas, retirements and trades involving Hall of Famers.
All the usual hot takes over workout videos and preseason clips have been flooding in, but thankfully it’s almost time to focus on competitive action.
Just as our NFL betting tips will be picking out the best value throughout the regular season and Playoffs, we have taken this opportunity to look ahead with our NFL season preview and outright picks…
Early Super Bowl Prediction
The odds indicate a repeat of last season’s Super Bowl is the most likely outcome, with the Chiefs and Eagles sitting atop the outright market.
Neither team was significantly weakened during the offseason, though the Chiefs are facing a contract dispute with Chris Jones. Philadelphia was dominant through most of the 2022 regular season, and looks poised for a repeat performance in a weak NFC.
Despite another Playoff heartbreak, the Buffalo Bills are joint-third at 9/1, a price they share with the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers.
Buffalo is going to be competitive if Josh Allen is healthy, but it’s been a disappointing offseason and that price looks on the short side. Can anyone trust them in the Playoffs?
Of that triumvirate, the Niners look like the best value. They are a complete package, and have repeatedly proven they can go toe-to-toe with elite teams even with inferior quarterback play.
Cincy will inevitably get some love from punters, but it’s hard to feel great about backing any team over the Chiefs in the AFC at below 10/1.
Kansas City are deserving favourites – they are well on their way to building a true dynasty under Andy Reid.
If fully healthy, they are clearly the team to beat, and it may well take one of the best Super Bowl performances of all-time to stop them.
Of the chasing pack, we like the look of the Baltimore Ravens at 20s after extending Lamar Jackson in the offseason.
The Jaguars are good value out at 25/1 too after overachieving last season and addressing most of their needs during the offseason.
Best Conference Bets
The Eagles are bound to attract a lot of backers at 3/1 to represent the NFC again. Just where Jalen Hurts places in quarterback rankings might divide opinion, but Philadelphia is an excellent two-way team.
San Francisco is the only other proven elite team in the NFC, but it is fair to wonder if they will come to regret moving on from Trey Lance.
In the AFC, the Chiefs’ price is on the short side here. If you’re backing them to get this far, you should probably just go with the Super Bowl market.
It’s some of the fringe contenders which make more sense – could the Chargers finally put it together and overcome the Conference’s powerhouses? How good at the Jags going to be? What if it works out for Rodgers in a Jets jersey?
Again, though, we like the look of the Ravens at 10/1 here even though they have to compete with the Bengals in the North. You can talk yourself into a Jets bet, too.
Lions Value For The NFC North
The Detroit Lions surged on an 8-2 run to end last season. Much was made of their overhaul in attitude, but that has been matched by an excellent offseason.
This roster is clearly more talented than before and the weak secondary has been significantly improved.
The NFC North is wide open.
Minnesota looks set to take a step back with an ageing roster. Chicago should be better, but it’s fair to wonder about Justin Fields as the quarterback on a contender (and the Bears went 3-14 last season). The end of the Aaron Rodgers era rules Green Bay out for 2023 at least.
At 13/10, the Lions are just too good a price to overlook. Starting the season with the Chiefs isn’t ideal, but there’s opportunity to rack up a few wins in the following weeks.
NFL MVP Betting Tips
Patrick Mahomes looks a good bet for MVP even at a price as short as 13/2. The Chiefs are heading for 12+ wins once again, and Mahomes’ numbers are always going to be extraordinary. Add in a couple of game-winning drives and he’ll be in the mix.
Beyond the reigning Super Bowl MVP, former first overall pick Trevor Lawrence really stands out.
Lawrence excelled down the stretch last season, leading the Jags to the Playoffs, and has one of the strongest receiving corps in the NFL heading into 2023. Jacksonville is playing in a weak division, giving Lawrence ample opportunity to post some gaudy numbers.
2023 NFL Season FAQs:
When Does The NFL Season Start?
The NFL season starts on 7th September 2023 with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Detroit Tigers.
When Does The NFL Season End?
The NFL regular season ends on 7th January 2024. The Super Bowl is the final game of the Playoffs, which is scheduled for 11th February 2024.
How Many Games In A NFL Season?
Each team plays 17 games in the NFL regular season spread out over 18 weeks. There are a total of 272 regular season games, followed by 13 postseason games, which takes us to a total of 285.
When Is Super Bowl 53?
Super Bowl LVIII will take place on 11th February 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada. We will find out which teams will be competing in the Super Bowl on 28th January 2024 when both of the Conference Championship games are scheduled.
What Is The NFL Playoff Format In 2023?
Seven teams from each conference make the NFL Playoffs. Each of the division winners are seeded one through four in the AFC and NFC based on their regular season records.
Three wildcard teams also qualify, and they are then awarded the five, six and seven seeds based on their win totals.
The top seed in each conference receives a bye to the Divisional Round. The other six teams face-off in the Wild Card Round, with the second seed hosting seventh, third hosting sixth and fourth hosting fifth.
The winners of those games progress to the next round – the lowest seed takes on the top seed, while higher of the two remaining teams will host the other game.
The two winners in the Divisional Round then meet in the Conference Championship Game. Becoming the Conference Champion means a place in the Super Bowl.
