The wait is over… We finally get to stare down the 6 month NFL barrel and the SHB team couldn’t be more elated (eloquent word to use there, right?). I realize there’s probably no need to inflate our NFL futures article with stats for our diehards but thought I’d throw something out there for the newcomers. SHB finished +15.68 units with our 2022 futures bets (shout out DPJ… MASSIVE +11.85 units year). Given our excitement for this season, DPJ and myself are going to list out our picks for the following:
- Division Winners
- Wildcard Picks
- Conference Champs
- Super Bowl Champs
In addition to these picks we’ll outline which bets deserve actual action heading into the 2023 season. Time to lay down the foundation. Bet smarter, not harder.
Q’s Picks
Division Champions
| Division | Winner |
| AFC East | Bills |
| AFC North | Bengals |
| AFC South | Jaguars |
| AFC West | Chiefs |
| NFC East | Eagles |
| NFC North | Lions |
| NFC South | Saints |
| NFC West | Seahawks |
I’ll go line by line here so bear with me…
The AFC East is pretty competitive this year but I still think the Bills should pull out the division championship based off of their continuity and strength of schedule alone. We’ve grown accustomed to this squad falling short in the post season but they’ve rarely failed to set themselves up for success before the post season commences. Josh Allen is still Josh Allen, Diggs will be Diggs and this defense lost some pieces but should still be solid despite their offseason losses.
The AFC North is also spicy this season given the sneaky Ravens, comeback Deshaun Watson and the possible emergence of Kenny Pickett in Pittsburgh. That said, this Bengals team will win a Super Bowl sooner rather than later and it feels like the preseason Burrow injury has allowed them to fly more under the radar than usual given their recent track record. Arguably the best WR duo in the league plus potentially a QB great? Easy money.
Some people might be surprised at the Jaguars pick for AFC South champ but they would be mistaken. Trevor Lawrence is a generational talent, he finally has the pieces he needs to excel and Doug Pederson is an exceptional coach. A relatively easy regular season schedule definitely doesn’t hurt…
While the Chargers and Broncos pose a sleeper risk, the Chiefs have owned the AFC West for years now. As long as Travis Kelce isn’t seriously hurt… Mahomes will win this division with ease once again.
The NFC Least suddenly became relevant again last year but don’t let this detour you from backing last year’s champs for 2023. The Eagles have the easiest schedule in the division, the Cowboys are the only real contenders otherwise (we’ve seen how Dak performs in the clutch) and Philly’s defense looks scary this year. Don’t be surprised to see the birds achieve back to back Super Bowl appearances.
This is the year that the Lions finally break through. Dan Campbell has built a force in Detroit and this is finally their year to show out. Their only real competitor, the Vikings, have the 27th hardest schedule in the league and it’s highly unlikely they repeat their highly unlikely win total from 2022 considering their offseason losses. Jared Goff has proven that he can get a solid team to the post season before and I highly suspect that will be the case once again in 2023.
The NFC South is by far the worst division in professional football this year. Keeping that in mind, there’s quite a few variables to take into account in 2023. I’m focusing on strength of schedule here and the only veteran QB in the division (Derek Carr). Solid defense facing average opponents all season plus potential superstars (old and young) in Chris Olave and Michael Thomas give the Saints the edge this year. The addition of Jamaal Williams and the short suspension of Alvin Kamara definitely add to the mix as well.
The NFC West highlights one of my favorite picks of the year. The public was force to respect the Seahawks at a certain point last season simply due to their success. I don’t think that success was a fluke and I think the public is illogically fading them again this year. Geno Smith was SOUND last year, they have one of the easiest schedules in the division, their backfield is loaded and they have no questions at QB coming into Week 1. Love the Seahawks to steal the division over the Niners this year (sorry Jake).
Wildcard Picks
| Division | Team |
| AFC | Jets |
| AFC | Browns |
| AFC | Ravens |
| NFC | Cowboys |
| NFC | 49ers |
| NFC | Vikings |
Maybe I’m simply buying into hype here but I truly think the Jets have a great shot at competing this season. The combination of their stingy defense with a Aaron Rodgers led offense (assisted by countless offensive weapons) feels extremely dangerous. Think “Tom Brady’s first year in Tampa” with this pick. Rodgers has something to prove and the weapons needed in order to make a statement. Count me in.
Another potential bias pick here but Deshaun Watson clearly has a lot to prove and a clear desire to redirect his attention from personal issues. We’re talking about a no question top 5 QB in the league before his indiscretions… remember hearing the term “king’s ransom” before his problems came to light? Say what you will about the man… the player can ball. Add Nick Chubb’s first clear premier back season in recent memory and a heavily underrated defense to the mix and you get a spoiler in the making.
The Ravens are flying heavily under the radar this season. Their schedule is tame, Lamar is finally paid and we get to see what Dobbins can do fully healthy in a lethal RBBC. The defense should only improve but Lamar alone is the factor to focus on with this pick.
The Cowboys have been a “not if, but when?” team for awhile now. While I don’t have a ton of faith in Dak (specifically in the clutch), it would be foolish to ignore the weapons he has around him in 2023 as well as the stacked defense Dallas touts to continue to bail Dak out when he Daks. I love the Brandin Cooks addition and Tony Pollard is primed for an absolute breakout year. Jerry may have done it this year.
The 49ers are too good of a team to leave off the playoff list regardless of their QB situation. If Purdy can go, they’ll be elite. Even if he can’t, Sam Darnold has appeared serviceable in the preseason. Oh, and they have the best defense in professional football and the easiest schedule in their division? Foolish to count out San Fran this season.
While I think the Vikings will take a step back this season, that doesn’t mean this team isn’t post season calibur (especially considering the division). I think the Bears will improve but not exponentially (as some believe) and I don’t buy into the Jordan Love hype as of now. Kirk Cousins is the vanilla type of leader who puts up numbers that people don’t want to acknowledge. I’m acknowledging those numbers with this pick, Kirk.
AFC Champion
Bengals
Not much to add here. Joe Burrow is a future hall of famer throwing to two potential hall of fame wide receivers on the same team… Joe Mixon is underrated, this defense is underrated and overall Joe just knows how to get dubs (in the clutch, take notes Dak). I think the Chiefs take a step back this year for multiple reasons, the Bills simply can’t win on the biggest stage and T Law is still about 1 year off from his true arrival (worried about the Jags the most). Joey B will win a Super Bowl sooner rather than later.
NFC Champion
Eagles
It’s hard to take a team to win back to back NFC Championships but it’s also hard to find any issues with this Philly team on any side of the ball. I think Philly had arguably the best draft, they retained most of their best players and they have the 10th easiest schedule in the league this year. Jalen Hurts is a winner, all around, and his refreshed backfield will only cause havoc on opponents all season (lightening his load from 2022).
Super Bowl Champion
Eagles
Sorry Bengals fans… the Eagles have the advantage of playing in the easier conference, meaning less wear and tear. I also think the Eagles defense is significantly superior to Cincy’s defense and the birds are thirsty for revenge after least year’s Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs. Both QBs have two elite WRs at their disposal, but Philly edges out Cincy in the run game and on defense without a doubt. Fly Eagles, fly.
Q’s Favorite 2023 Action (Futures)
| Bet | Odds | Units |
| AFC South Champion – Jaguars | -155 | 1 |
| NFC East Champion – Eagles | -115 | 0.5 |
| NFC North Champion – Lions | +145 | 0.75 |
| NFC West Champion – Seahawks | +230 | 0.5 |
| AFC Champion – Bengals | +550 | 0.5 |
| NFC Champion – Eagles | +330 | 0.5 |
| DROY – Jalen Carter | +600 | 0.5 |
| OROY – Bijan Robinson | +300 | 0.5 |
| Comeback POY – Damar Hamlin | -275 | 1.5 |
| DPOY – Micah Parsons | +450 | 0.25 |
| DPOY – Nick Bosa | +1200 | 0.25 |
| DPOY – TJ Watt | +800 | 0.25 |
Total Units: 7
I’ve already covered the divisional and conference favorites so I’ll focus specifically on the prop bets favorites.
Jalen Carter would’ve been the #1 pick in this year’s draft if it wasn’t for his off the field issues and he’s reportedly looked scary good all preseason. Anytime tenured NFL pros say a rookie is the best player on the field, on a defense that’s already stacked, that’s a great sign. Expect Carter to impose his will all season in spectacular fashion (another player with something to prove).
While I’m skeptical of the Bijan hype from a fantasy football standpoint (purely because of how astronomical it has been), I’m definitely not skeptical of his potential this year in general. He’s about to be the RB1 on a team that will likely pound the ball all season with a new (and young QB) and the Falcons have arguably the easiest schedule in the league this season. Given the massive amount of touches and gentle introduction into the NFL, Bijan should put up numbers if he can stay healthy all season.
Won’t dive into Damar Hamlin too much here… If he can stay healthy all season given last year’s scary encounter, the Comeback Player of the Year award is his. No question.
Spreading my odds on DPOY this year across the up and comer, former champ (1 year removed) and incumbent. Micah Parsons is an absolute force at LB and the Cowboys have a relatively meek schedule this year compared to the rest of the league. TJ Watt was plagued with injuries last season but when he was on the field the Steelers were an entirely different team (actually good). Watt also just watched Nick Bosa become the highest paid defensive player in NFL history (sure to get the competitive juices flowing). Nick Bosa just became the highest paid DE in football and he was unstoppable last season (as mentioned). There’s a chance he’s simply one of the better pass rushers of this generation (at least have to hedge that possibility).
DPJ’s Picks
Division Champions
| Division | Winner |
| AFC East | Bills |
| AFC North | Ravens |
| AFC South | Jaguars |
| AFC West | Chiefs |
| NFC East | Eagles |
| NFC North | Lions |
| NFC South | Falcons |
| NFC West | Niners |
Wildcard Picks
| Division | Team |
| AFC | Bengals |
| AFC | Chargers |
| AFC | Jets |
| NFC | Cowboys |
| NFC | Seahawks |
| NFC | Vikings |
AFC Champion
Chiefs
NFC Champion
Eagles
Super Bowl Champion
Eagles
DPJ’s Favorite 2023 Action (Futures)
| Bet | Odds | Units |
| NFC East Champion – Eagles | -115 | 0.5 |
| NFC South Champion – Falcons | +210 | 0.25 |
| NFC North Champion – Bears | +450 | 0.25 |
| AFC East Champion – Bills | +120 | 0.5 |
| AFC West Champion – Chiefs | -180 | 0.5 |
| AFC West Champion – Chargers | +300 | 0.25 |
| AFC North Champion – Ravens | +220 | 0.5 |
| Super Bowl Champion – Ravens | +1800 | 0.5 |
| Super Bowl Champion – Bengals | +1100 | 0.5 |
| Super Bowl Champion – Eagles | +800 | 1 |
| Super Bowl Champion – Chiefs | +600 | 1 |
| NFL MVP – Trevor Lawrence | +1600 | 0.25 |
| NFL MVP – Justin Herbert | +900 | 0.5 |
| NFL MVP – Joe Burrow | +700 | 0.5 |
| OROY – Jahmyr Gibbs | +900 | 0.25 |
| Packers Under 7.5 Regular Season Wins | +122 | 0.5 |
Total Units: 7.75
Disclaimer: SidehustlebetsMJQ.com is not an online gambling operator or a gambling site of any kind. Our insights about sports/sports betting are purely for entertainment purposes only.
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