NFL Postseason Projections: Ranking The Top Fringe Contenders For 2023

David

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Post on May 19, 2025

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NFL Postseason Projections: Ranking the Top Fringe Contenders for 2023

The NFL regular season is a grueling marathon, but the true test of a team's mettle comes in the postseason. While some teams are perennial contenders, others hover on the fringes, capable of a surprising playoff run or a disappointing early exit. This year's landscape is particularly intriguing, with several teams possessing the talent and potential to make a deep postseason push. Let's dive into our ranking of the top fringe contenders for the 2023 NFL playoffs.

Methodology: Our rankings consider a team's overall roster strength, key offseason moves, projected starting quarterback performance, divisional strength, and overall coaching stability. While predicting the future is inherently uncertain, we've analyzed the available data to provide a well-informed perspective.

1. The New York Jets: The Jets are the quintessential "fringe contender." With Aaron Rodgers now under center, the offense possesses the firepower to compete with anyone. Their defense, already strong, received further upgrades in the offseason. However, the AFC East is notoriously tough, and overcoming the Bills and Patriots won't be easy. Their success hinges on Rodgers' integration and the team's ability to stay healthy. The potential is sky-high, making them our top fringe contender.

2. The Detroit Lions: The Lions surprised many with their improved performance last year. Their high-octane offense, led by Jared Goff, is a joy to watch. The key for Detroit is improving their defense – a crucial area addressed in the offseason. If their defensive additions pan out, the Lions could easily secure a Wild Card spot and make some noise in the playoffs.

3. The Washington Commanders: The Commanders represent a team brimming with potential but riddled with question marks. Their offseason acquisition of quarterback Sam Howell represents a gamble, and their success hinges entirely on his development. If Howell performs well, and the defense continues its strong play, Washington could challenge for a playoff spot in a relatively weak NFC East.

4. The Green Bay Packers: The post-Aaron Rodgers era begins in Green Bay, and it’s a period of significant uncertainty. Jordan Love’s performance will dictate their season trajectory. Green Bay has a strong running game and a solid defense, but navigating a tough NFC North will require a significant leap forward from Love. Their playoff chances are heavily dependent on his growth and the team's ability to gel under a new quarterback.

5. The New Orleans Saints: The Saints are a consistently competitive team, but their playoff hopes are intrinsically linked to the performance of their quarterback, Derek Carr. Their defense is usually a strong point, but the NFC South is surprisingly competitive, and they'll need significant offensive improvements to claim a playoff berth.

Factors Affecting Fringe Contender Success:

• Quarterback Play: This is paramount. A strong quarterback can elevate an entire team.
• Offensive Line Performance: Protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes are crucial for any successful team.
• Defensive Consistency: A strong defense can win games, particularly in close matchups.
• Injury Prevention: Staying healthy is crucial throughout the long NFL season.

Conclusion: Predicting the NFL playoffs is always challenging, but these five teams have the potential to surprise and make a deep playoff run. Their journeys will be fascinating to follow, and their success or failure will hinge on a number of key factors, including quarterback play, defensive performance, and overall team health. Stay tuned for an exciting 2023 NFL season!

Call to Action: What team do you think has the best chance to make a surprise playoff run in 2023? Share your predictions in the comments below!