Which Teams From Each NFL Division Is Under The Most Pressure This Season? (9-2-23)
Headline Photo Credit: USA Today
The new NFL Season is finally upon us. The season kicks off this Thursday as we have the defending Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs will look to defend their crown as they take on and host the Detroit Lions. We know the season can be long at times and jobs tend to be on the line. Which team this season from each division is under the most pressure?
AFC East – Bills, Jets, Dolphins, Patriots
Anytime you bring in a Hall of Fame QB like Aaron Rodgers, expectations are expected to be high. The floor goal is to make the playoffs. But the ceiling is to not only make it to the Super Bowl, but to win it. They also brought in Dalvin Cook. The division is tough. Being on HBO Hard Knocks doesn’t help things. The pressure is on for a team that didn’t even make the playoffs last season. Hopefully they can for the first time since 2010.
AFC North – Steelers, Browns, Bengals, Ravens
The Ravens finally got their wish in extending the contract between them and Lamar Jackson. They will go as far as he can take them. They brought in some help with Odell Beckham Jr and the drafting of Zay Flowers. This team should have a good season. There is no excuse for them to struggle despite playing in such a tough division.
AFC South – Jaguars, Texans, Colts, Titans
There is so much expectation for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Doug Pederson is a Head Coach who has been on the biggest stage in the NFL and won a Super Bowl. Trevor Lawrence is expected to turn a corner and become an elite QB after the success he had last season. Making the playoffs last year and upsetting the Chargers the way that they did only wets the appetite as the world is expecting them to go even further in the playoffs.
AFC West – Raiders, Chargers, Chiefs, Broncos
Last season, there were a ton of excuses circulating why the Denver Broncos couldn’t win and experience success. There were injuries, there was a new QB and system, an incompetent coach, along with inconsistencies on both sides of the ball. Now they have a proven head coach in Sean Peyton. Now Russell Wilson knows the entire playbook and is now in the best shape of his life. The pressure is looming upon the Broncos this season.
NFC East – Commanders, Giants, Cowboys, Eagles
The Commanders have always been at the bottom of this division for a number of years now. There was always a question with ownership and there was always a question with the Quarterback position. The offense have suffered over the years. All of those doubts have now been put to rest. Sam Howell is legit and is the real deal. They brought in an offensive coordinator in Eric Beinemy who has won multiple Super Bowls. Finally, the Commanders finally have an ownership group led by Magic Johnson and Josh Harris who wants to win. The time is now for the Commanders.
NFC West – Cardinals, Seahawks, 49ers, Rams
The 49ers are always in the mix for a deep playoff run. The fact of the matter is they have a historically good defense that tends to only get better each and every year. The QB position is always an tough situation for the 49ers simply due to injuries. If they are fully healthy, the expectation is they are the best team in the entire NFC. That’s a lot of pressure for a team depending on a sophomore who didn’t even start his entire rookie season in Brock Purdy.
NFC South – Saints, Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers
The Saints are expected to win this division by a landslide. The rest of the bunch are basically in a rebuilding situation. If for whatever reason the Saints don’t win this division or have a winning record, jobs will be lost for a lot of the staff and even the players too. This is a make or break season for the Saints in Derek Carr’s first season with the team.
NFC North – Packers, Lions, Bears, Vikings
The Vikings have always been the little brother to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Now that Rodgers is gone, the Vikings are expected to win this division. They have probably the best WR in football in Justin Jefferson. Pretty soon, he may be looking to play for another team if he can’t win in Minnesota. The Vikings must get things rolling for the sake of retaining one of the best players in the entire league.
