Which teams will make a surprise 2-0 start in 2023?
The NFL finally returned last week, and as ever it did not disappoint. The 49ers and (now 2-0) Eagles started 2023 as they left off last season and we saw impressive rookie debuts from Anthony Richardson and Bijan Robinson.
The upsets however, are always one of the most intriguing aspects of sports. Teams will little hope at the beginning of the year start to believe, and those that suffered a shock defeat begin to have questions asked of them.
Let’s take a look at three teams who find themselves at 1-0 against the odds, and I’m tipping to start the 2023 NFL season with back-to-back wins.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
vs Chicago Bears, Sunday 18:00 BST
Baker Mayfield was always going to be the type of player to relish being the underdog. The Buccaneers came through a cagey game against the Vikings in Week 1, with Mayfield making key plays to Evans and Godwin when it mattered. It will be key for Tampa to get this second win vs the Bears before they welcome the Eagles next week.
We saw little from Justin Fields to show any marked improvement in his passing game against the Packers. Star receiver D.J Moore caught his only two targets for just 25 yards. We know that Fields can make special plays with his legs, but his passing accuracy needs to improve if he is to reach the levels of other dual-threat quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts in Year 3.
I think the Bucs, with home-field advantage should see this one through and get to 2-0.
Detroit Lions
vs Seattle Seahawks, Sunday 18:00 BST
Coming off a big statement win at Arrowhead; the Lions now have the Seahawks in their sights in their home opener on Sunday. Last season’s showdown between the teams was one of the very best games of the year, as Seattle edged a 48-45 offensive showcase.
Jared Goff continues to play the clean football that earned him his third Pro Bowl honours last year, as he closes in the record for consecutive passes without an interception (currently 44 behind the record of 403). Tariq Woolen could pose a threat – he was arguably the only bright spot for Seattle in Week 1.
Injuries to Charles Cross and Abe Lucas will be a huge concern for the Seahawks, with 41-year-old Jason Peters drafted in to potentially start after just three practice sessions. Detroit will be looking to Aiden Hutchison to exploit the weaknesses on the Seahawks’ offensive line and get to Geno Smith.
Seattle’s pass rush was non-existent in Week 1 vs the Rams, with Matthew Stafford able to light up the defence for 334 yards through the air. Pete Carroll and John Schneider may regret passing on Jalen Carter with the fifth pick of the 2023 draft.
The Lions enter Week 2 as one of the biggest favourites to start the season 2-0, and it’s hard to argue against it.
Cleveland Browns
@ Pittsburgh Steelers, 19/09, 01:15 BST (MNF)
Of the surprising victories in Week 1, none were more convincing than the Browns domination of the Bengals. Cleveland held Joe Burrow to just 82 passing yards and a completion percentage of just over 45%, days after he become the NFL’s highest paid player in history.
Nick Chubb looked at his very best on the ground for the Browns and added four receptions for 127 total yards. Myles Garrett also logged his first sack as he launched his bid for the Defensive Player of the Year title, as his team travels to face one of his main competitors for the award: T.J Watt and the Steelers.
Pittsburgh however, appear to have flattered to deceive during the preseason, as they came back down to Earth with a heavy 30-7 loss to the 49ers last week. Kenny Pickett did not look good against one of the best defences in the league, and it doesn’t get much easier when Cleveland travel to Heinz Field. Their defence will make life tougher for the Browns than the Bengals did, but I fancy the Browns offense to be the deciding factor in this game.
