NFL 2023 Playoffs: The Top Fringe Contenders And Their Paths To Victory

David

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Post on Jun 16, 2025

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NFL 2023 Playoffs: The Top Fringe Contenders and Their Paths to Victory

The NFL playoffs are upon us, and while some teams are clear Super Bowl favorites, a fascinating group of "fringe contenders" are lurking, ready to make a deep postseason run. These aren't the teams dominating headlines all season, but they possess the talent and momentum to upset the odds and make a serious playoff push. Let's examine the top contenders on the fringes and analyze their paths to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

1. The New York Giants: A Resurgent Force

The Giants surprised many by securing a playoff berth in 2023. Their success hinges on the continued stellar play of their defense, a unit that consistently stifled opponents throughout the regular season. Saquon Barkley’s performance will be crucial, and quarterback Daniel Jones needs to continue his improved play under pressure. Their path to victory requires exploiting defensive weaknesses and controlling the clock – a strategy that served them well during the regular season. Key matchups against teams with strong passing attacks will determine their fate.

Their Path to Victory: The Giants' success depends on a strong running game, stifling defense, and limiting turnovers. They need to avoid early season-ending injuries to key players. A potential playoff upset of a higher-seeded team could propel them further.

2. The Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence's Breakout?

After a disappointing 2022 season, the Jaguars roared back in 2023, largely due to the maturation of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency will be key in the playoffs. Their explosive offense, spearheaded by Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne Jr., needs to remain a potent threat. However, defensive consistency remains a question mark. Can they contain the high-powered offenses they'll likely face?

Their Path to Victory: The Jaguars need to leverage their offensive firepower while improving defensive consistency. Lawrence must continue his upward trajectory and make smart decisions under pressure. Maintaining health within the key offensive and defensive players is paramount.

3. The Seattle Seahawks: Geno Smith's Cinderella Story Continues?

Geno Smith's resurgence was one of the biggest storylines of the 2023 season. He led a surprisingly potent Seahawks offense, but their defense needs to step up considerably in the playoffs. A strong running game, led by Kenneth Walker III, provides a crucial balance. However, facing elite quarterbacks will test their secondary.

Their Path to Victory: The Seahawks’ path hinges on Geno Smith maintaining his high level of play and the defense limiting big plays. Exploiting matchups against weaker run defenses and maintaining offensive consistency is crucial. An underrated element is their strong special teams play.

The Wildcard Factor: Injury and Momentum

It's impossible to ignore the impact of injuries and momentum shifts. A key injury to a star player on a favored team could dramatically alter the playoff landscape, opening the door for a fringe contender to make a deep run. Similarly, building momentum through a convincing early playoff win can be a significant psychological advantage.

Conclusion: Underdogs with a Bite

While the top seeds possess undeniable talent, these fringe contenders have demonstrated the potential to make a significant impact in the 2023 NFL Playoffs. Their paths to victory require consistent performance, exploiting opponents' weaknesses, and a healthy dose of playoff magic. This year's postseason promises to be thrilling, with these underdogs poised to challenge the established order. Keep an eye on these teams – they could be the surprise story of the playoffs!

Call to Action: Who do you think has the best chance to make a deep playoff run among these fringe contenders? Share your predictions in the comments below!