The season has started off with some surprises and some expected results, but we are here to update you on the NFL Landscape.
Take a look at each division to see where Rivalry Sports currently has your team ranked within the division.
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles (3 – 0)
The reigning NFC Champs are the team to beat in the division until someone knocks them off.
Strengths: With a strong collection of offensive playmakers including QB Jalen Hurts and WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and a loaded defensive front seven, the team is built to compete now and for years to come.
Weaknesses: An aging offensive line has not shown signs of regression, but could be an area to watch. The chemistry could be tested this year as sideline arguments have already been seen between star players.
Week 4 Opponent: Washington Commanders at 1:00pm EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
America’s team looked like they had turned a corner the first two weeks of the season, but a lackluster effort and injuries showed up in their loss to the Arizona Cardinals in week 3
Strengths: When healthy, Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Tony Pollard form a strong base of skill position offensive players. The Defense is one of the NFL’s best with perennial Defensive Player of the Year Candidate Micah Parsons rushing the passer or manning the running lanes.
Weaknesses: Age on the offensive line and injuries. The devastating injury to CB Trevon Diggs as well as the injuries across the Offensive Line could derail the season.
Week 4 Opponent: New England Patriots at 4:25pm EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Washington Commanders (2-1)
The Commanders seem like they are stuck in mediocrity. They have a lot of pieces in place, but do they have the QB needed to truly compete in the NFL?
Strengths: Their Defensive line can wreak havoc when healthy and they have playmakers at the WR position.
Weaknesses: The Defensive line will soon become too expensive to keep all of the pieces. Sam Howell is a gutsy QB, but can he be the QB to lead the Commanders to dominance in the NFL?
Week 4 Opponent: @ Philadelphia Eagles at 1:00pm EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
New York Giants (1-2)
This is a team that could struggle this year. They exceeded expectations last year, but in a tough division can they repeat that success?
Strengths: Brian Daboll is a good coach that has the Giants play hard each week. Daniel Jones has some dual threat talent that he is still tapping into and when healthy Saquon Barkley is a great RB.
Weaknesses: Saquon Barkley has a hard time staying healthy which throws off the entire offense. The other offensive playmakers have not stepped up enough to take the pressure off when Barkley is out.
Week 4 Opponent: Seattle Seahawks at 8:15pm EDT, Monday 10/2/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
NFC North
Green Bay Packers (2-1)
Can Green Bay do it again and replace one future Hall of Fame QB with another perennial All-Pro QB?
Strengths: Green Bay is a well run team from the front office to the coaching staff. They have talent across the board and their young QB Jordan Love looks like he may have what it takes to be the “answer” at QB.
Weaknesses: The age/injury history of the offensive line is concerning, especially when it comes to Pro Bowl Left Tackle David Bakhtiari. Also they have a young star WR in Christian Watson, but he has failed to stay healthy so far in his career.
Week 4 Opponent: Detroit Lions at 8:15pm EDT, Thursday 9/28/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Detroit Lions (2-1)
Coach Dan Campbell has instilled his tough attitude into this team and now GM Brad Holmes has gotten him the talent to match with that toughness!
Strengths: Young defensive stalwarts such as Aidan Hutchinson, Brian Branch, and Jack Campbell have a bright future. On offense, the strong offensive line provides protection for underrated QB Jared Goff and the running game.
Weaknesses: The Lions have a great slot receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown and a talented young TE in Sam LaPorta, but they need production from their outside receiving crew which is holding this team back.
Week 4 Opponent: @ Green Bay Packers at 8:15pm EDT, Thursday 9/28/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Minnesota Vikings (0-3)
A team that has been good, but not great for years faces a time to decide if they reload or go all in with this team.
Strengths: Justin Jefferson is an All-Pro WR and T.J. Hockenson is a talented TE for steady and underatted QB Kirk Cousins.
Weaknesses: Kirk Cousins is now 35 years old and the Vikings have not committed to him past this year. Too much money is spent on a defense that is not dominant and the run game fails to hold up their end of the bargain on offense.
Week 4 Opponent: @ Carolina Panthers at 1:00pm EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Chicago Bears (0-3)
This is the year the Bears must decide if Justin Fields is their QB of the future.
Strengths: This team is a mess. They have some good players, but none of their units stand out on either side of the ball. The good news is that they will have two high first round picks in the upcoming draft.
Weaknesses: Justin Fields is in his third year in the NFL, but does not seem to be progressing at a rate to show that he is the future for the Bears at QB. Without a good QB in the NFL, you will be stuck in mediocrity or worse. Now Fields has publicly questioned the coaching so we will see where this goes.
Week 4 Opponent: Denver Broncos at 1:00pm EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
NFC South
New Orleans Saints (2-1)
The Saints just keep putting a team out there that can challenge for the NFC South each year. Can they break through and make some noise in the playoffs this year?
Strengths: The Saints have a good offensive line, a star RB in Alvin Kamara, a star young WR in Chris Olave, a steady veteran QB in Derek Carr and a steady and strong defense.
Weaknesses: The heart and soul of the D is Cam Jordan and while Jordan is still a good player, he is 34 years old. Kamara will need a new contract soon or the Saints will need to replace the talented RB. Do they have enough young talent on Defense to make some noise in the playoffs?
Week 4 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1:00pm EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win *If QB Derek Carr’s shoulder keeps him out of this game then it will be tough for the saints to win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
Can a veteran team withstand the retirement of the GOAT and make one last run at the playoffs?
Strengths: The Bucs have a strong D and a great 1 – 2 punch at WR with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Weaknesses: Tampa Bay is an aging team that must decide if they want to keep the band together, or trade some veterans now to reload instead of having to rebuild later. With many veteran core players that will need a new contract, now is the time to go all in or to trade them for young assets.
Week 4 Opponent: @ New Orleans Saints at 1:00pm EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Atlanta Falcons (2-1)
Coach Arthur Smith has built a team that has a strong running game and a stout defense, but can they throw the ball when needed?
Strengths: The Falcons have a lot of young talent on offense including RB Bijan Robinson, TE Kyle Pitts, and WR Drake London, but can QB Demond Ridder get the ball to the TE and WRs?
Weaknesses: The Falcons need to continue to add to their D and offensive line, but most importantly, they need QB Desmond Ridder to prove that he can be a dangerous passer in the NFL.
Week 4 Opponent: @ Jacksonville Jaguars (London) at 9:30AM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Carolina Panthers (0-3)
The Panthers finally stopped trying stopgap QBs and they drafted QB Bryce Young with the first pick to be the QB of the future.
Strengths: Bryce Young will be a good QB in the league, but it takes time. They have some young talent on defense including star DE Brian Burns.
Weaknesses: The Panthers need more playmakers to help Young out and they will need to continue to build a stronger offensive line.
Week 4 Opponent: Minnesota Vikings at 1:00pm EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
NFC West
San FRancisco 49ers (3-0)
Coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch have made the 49ers a perennial contender for the Super Bowl. Will they break through and win it all this year?
Strengths: This team is loaded. They have superstar RB Christian McCaffrrey at RB, George Kittle at TE, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk at Wr and 2nd year surpise QB Brock Purdy leading the offense. The D is just as impressive with Nick Bosa and Jason Hargrave leading what might be the best D-line in the NFL.
Weaknesses: The only true “weakness” for the 49ers is the injury bug. For years now their starting QB seems to get injured and throw the season off the rails, but last year they had 4 QBs injured which led them to not being able to pass in the playoffs.
Week 4 Opponent: Arizona Cardinals at 4:25pm EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Seattle Seahawks (2-1)
The Seahawks were a surprise playoff team last year. Was it a fluke or can QB Geno Smith continue his late career magic and lead the Seahawks back to the playoffs?
Strengths: Seattle is a well run team led by coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider. They seem to always fill out the roster with talented players and Carroll gets the team to play smart, tough football. They have a very talented WR and RB room this year.
Weaknesses: The offensive line has improved, but remains an area in need of an upgrade. Can career backup QB Geno Smith replicate his great season last year? They are near the bottom of the league in pressuring the QB and continuing to win without getting to the QB will be difficult.
Week 4 Opponent: @ New York Giants at 8:15pm EDT, Monday 10/2/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Los Angeles Rams (1-2)
The Rams just won the Super Bowl two years ago, but last year they fell to the bottom of the league. Can they bounce back this year or is this the beginning of a rebuild?
Strengths: Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, and Matthew Stafford. Those three still have star level talent even though they are all in their 30’s.
Weaknesses: An older core of star players and not enough blue chip young players since so many of their draft picks were traded away in pursuit of a Super Bowl.
Week 4 Opponent: Indianapolis Colts at 1:00pm EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
The cardinals are in rebuild mode, but this year will determine the path that they take. Will QB Kyler Murray come back to play this year and cement himself as part of the future, or will the Cardinals lose most of their games and choose Murray’s successor in the draft.
Strengths: The Cardinals have a decent offensive line, but need to continue to add new talent to it. They also have some talented young players that can help with the rebuild such as WR Marquise Brown and LB Zaven Collins.
Weaknesses: The Cardinals need more impact players across the board. What do the Cardinals currently hang their hat on as a team?
Week 4 Opponent: @ San Francisco 49ers at 4:25pm EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
AFC EAST
Miami Dolphins (3-0)
This team is built in the image of “Speed”! The question is if QB Tua Tagovailoa who is the key to the team, can stay healthy.
Strengths: Speed, Speed, Speed! When healthy Tua has become a top QB in the league and with weapons like WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and then speedy RBs Raheem Mostert and De’von Achane make it hard on any defense.
Weaknesses: The biggest obstacle to success for the Dolphins stands to be the injury bug. Star CB Jalen Ramsey has missed the first part of the year and the only thing that can hold QB Tua back is an injury.
Week 4 Opponent: @ Buffalo Bills at 1:00pm EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Buffalo Bills (2-1)
The Bills have been one of the Super Bowl favorites for the last couple of years, but haven’t gotten it done. Will this year be the year?
Strengths: Franchise QB Josh Allen is one of the best QBs in the NFL, but he is not the only talent on the team. With talented TEs and WRs Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Allen has a lot of weapons. The Defense is still solid and if Von Miller can get back to his old self by the end of the year, the Bills will be tough to beat.
Weaknesses: Advancing age of the Defense and possibly chemistry issues between star WR Diggs and QB Allen.
Week 4 Opponent: Miami Dolphins at 1:00PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
New England Patriots (1-2)
Belichick has been one of the NFL’s best coaches for years, but since Tom Brady left 4 years ago, the Patriots have struggled. Can a new offensive coordinator get the most of out QB Mac Jones and the rest of the offense?
Strengths: This is a solid team across the board. You don’t see any unit on the team and say that it is a glaring weakness. They are well coached and play hard.
Weaknesses: While the Patriots don’t have a unit across the board with a glaring weakness, they also don’t have a unit that stands out unless it is the TEs. Can QB Mac Jones take the reigns of the offense and show that he is the QB of the present and the future?
Week 4 Opponent: Dallas Cowboys at 4:25PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
New York Jets (1-2)
The Jets built a team to compete for the Super Bowl this year, unfortunately star QB Aaron rodgers was lost for the year in the first game and we are waiting to see how the Jets compensate for his loss.
Strengths: This team is strong with a very good receiving and running back group and an exceptionally strong Defense. They added QB Aaron Rodgers and when healthy, he could be the missing piece to the team.
Weaknesses: The offensive line and the QB room now that Rodgers is out. The Jets are counting on former first round pick Zach Wilson to lead the team and he has not shown himself to be an NFL quality QB up to this point.
Week 4 Opponent: Kansas City at 8:20 PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens (2-1)
The Ravens are a tough team that plays football like Coach John Harbaugh wants. After signing QB Lamar Jackson to a record breaking contract, the Ravens will find out if it was a smart investment.
Strengths: The running game and the Defense are strong as always. Lamar Jackson is the best running QB the league has ever seen and the defense has star players littered across the roster.
Weaknesses: Passing. This was the reason the Ravens were reluctant to pay QB Jackson the amount of money that they did as good teams have learned how to beat the Ravens by taking away the run. Can Jackson take the next step in passing?
Week 4 Opponent: @ Cleveland Browns at 1:00PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)
Coach Mike Tomlin is a rock and his teams are a lock to win at least 50% of their games each year. Now the Steelers would like to get back to winning in the playoffs.
Strengths: All-Pro LB T.J. Watt leads a Defense that is loaded with playmakers at every level. Coach Tomlin knows how to push the right buttons and he has a good WR room to build around on offense.
Weaknesses: The offensive line is still not as strong as it needs to be, QB Kenny Pickett needs to take the next step in his career and offensive coordinator Matt Canada has failed to build a cohesive offense during his tenure.
Week 4 Opponent: @ Houston Texans at 1:00PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Cleveland Browns (2-1)
The Browns went all in on acquiring QB Deshaun Watson a few years ago, will that acquisition start to pay off or will this set the franchise back for years?
Strengths: The Browns have a solid offensive line along with a star RB, until Nick Chubb was hurt, and a good Defense led by DE Myles Garrett.
Weaknesses: It is hard to imagine that the passing game would be a weakness when QB Deshaun Watson was acquired, but he has failed to measure up to his previous self while with the Houston Texans. Can they turn the passing game around and can the running game succeed without the injured Nick Chubb.
Week 4 Opponent: Baltimore Ravens at 1:00PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)
The Bengals have Super Bowl aspirations, but with Joe Burrow’s lingering injury sapping away their offensive capabilities, can they salvage their season?
Strengths: QB Joe Burrow is a star and one of the best QBs in the league. He has great weapons in WRs Ja’marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd along with RB Joe Mixon. The Defense is solid, but will the loss of Pro Bowl Safety Jesse Bates come back to haunt them?
Weaknesses: The offensive line is much improved, but could still use reinforcements and the Bengals could use some more playmakers on defense, but overall this is a strong team.
Week 4 Opponent: @ Tennessee Titans at 1:00PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts (2-1)
The Colts decided to insert a talented QB to their strong core of a team so they drafted Florida’s QB Anthony Richardson with the 4th pick in the first round.
Strengths: The Colts have a strong and steady Defense and a solid offensive line with a couple of talented WRs.
Weaknesses: Missing star RB Jonathon Taylor who is at a stalemate with the organization over his contract. They could also bolster their offensive line and add another offensive playmaker to make life easier for QB Anthony Richardson.
Week 4 Opponent: Los Angeles Rams at 1:00PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)
The Jaguars have started out the season in a disappointing manner, but their is still optimism because they are set with the most important position in football with star QB Trevor Lawrence.
Strengths: QB Trevor Lawrence, RB Travis Etienne, and WRs Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk represent a strong and talented young offensive core. They have many high draft picks on Defense that they are counting on as well.
Weaknesses: The defense has not had the impact the Jaguars would like, especially with high draft picks Travon Walker and Josh Allen leading the way. The offensive line also needs to be upgraded for more consistency.
Week 4 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons (London) at 9:30AM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Tennessee Titans (1-2)
The Titans are a team that needs to face the fact that they need to rebuild immediately! They are in a division that each of the other teams has their young QB settled and are on the rise, while the Titans try to hang on with an aging roster and a weak offense.
Strengths: Mike Vrabel is an excellent coach that gets the most out of his roster. They are a tough team that don’t give up and play hard each week. D lineman Jeffrey Simmons is a star in the league.
Weaknesses: Age and offense. The offense has been hard to watch this year and with an aging core it doesn’t look like it will get much better.
Week 4 Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals at 1:00PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Houston Texans (1-2)
In one draft they drafted their franchise QB in C.J. Stroud and their franchise defensive player in DE Will Anderson. This year is about progress, not the playoffs.
Strengths: With two cornerstone players in Stroud and Anderson joining talented LT Laremy Tunsil and talented WR Nico Collins and CB Derek Stingley Jr., this team is building a strong foundation.
Weaknesses: This year is about experience for their young stars, so while no unit may dominate, they have talented players in each unit that will only get better.
Week 4 Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers at 1:00PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
AFC EAST
Kansas City Chiefs (2-1)
With the best QB and TE in the league and a great coach in Andy Reid, this team is poised to compete for another Super Bowl!
Strengths: QB Patrick Mahomes, TE Travis Kelce, and D lineman Chris Jones are all at the top of the league for their respective positions. Along with coach Andy Reid, this team is poised to compete.
Weaknesses: Cost. Anytime you have great players you have to pay them and the Chiefs found that out last year when they had to trade star WR Tyreek Hill before the season. The cost of their star players costs them depth, but as long as the stars are healthy they have been able to overcome it.
Week 4 Opponent: @ New York Jets at 8:20PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Los Angeles Chargers (1-2)
Coach Brandon Staley is on the hot seat. This is a very talented team and their wins have not matched the talent level for this team.
Strengths: QB Justin Herbert is one of the best QBs in the league and he has a lot of weapons such as WR Keenan Allen and RB Austin Ekeler. The Defense is also loaded with stars such as Joey Bosa, Derwin James, and Khalil Mack.
Weaknesses: This team does not have many weaknesses in talent, but they need more from the defense and they need more consistent production from the offense.
Week 4 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders at 4:05PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)
The Raiders are a team in flux. This is coach Josh McDaniels second year so the organization expects improvement, but the team released long time QB Derek Carr and replaced him with injury prone QB Jimmy Garropolo
Strengths: The Raiders have star WR Davante Adams and RB Josh Jacobs on offense and then they have pro bowl DE Maxx Crosby on defense so they have pieces to put together a good team.
Weaknesses: The Raiders need a more talent along the offensive line and the back end of the defense. They also need to develop an identiy as a team.
Week 4 Opponent: @ Los Angeles Chargers at 4:05PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Denver Broncos (0-3)
The Broncos face pressure this year after QB Russell Wilson flopped in his first year in the Mile High City. The team added accomplished coach Sean Payton to right the ship, but Payton put pressure on the team with his negative comments about the previous coaching staff.
Strengths: QB Russell Wilson might not be the player he once was, but he is still a talented QB. The secondary is young and talented and Coach Sean Payton has won a Super Bowl and knows how to get the most out of his teams so the Broncos should see progress this year.
Weaknesses: The running game is lacking and the Broncos need more to get more pressure on the opposing QB in order to be a better defense.
Week 4 Opponent: @ Chicago Bears at 1:00PM EDT, Sunday 10/1/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Rivalry Sports Lock Pick of the Week
San Francisco over Arizona – 27 – 13
Rivalry Sports Fantasy Players of the week (PPR Leagues)
QB – Josh Allen
RB – Christian McCaffrey
WR – Tyreek Hill
WR – Keenan Allen
TE – TJ Hockenson
K – Justin Tucker
Defense – San Francisco
Game Picks of the Week
| Game | Rivalry Sports Pick – Dustin Kirby | Guest Picker – Brandon Kirby Pick |
| Detroit vs Green Bay | Green Bay | Detroit |
| Atlanta vs Jacksonville | Jacksonville | Jacksonville |
| Miami vs Buffalo | Buffalo | Miami |
| Denver vs Chicago | Denver | Denver |
| Baltimore vs Cleveland | Baltimore | Browns |
| Cincinnati vs Tennessee | Cincinnati | Tennessee |
| Los Angeles Rams vs Indianapolis | Indianapolis | Rams |
| Tampa Bay vs New Orleans | New Orleans | Tampa Bay |
| Washington vs Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Philadelphia |
| Minnesota vs Carolina | Minnesota | Carolina |
| Pittsburgh vs Houston | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh |
| Las Vegas vs Los Angeles Chargers | Chargers | Chargers |
| New England vs Dallas | Dallas | Dallas |
| Arizona vs San Francisco | San Francisco | San Francisco |
| Kansas City vs New York Jets | Kansas City | Kansas City |
| Seattle vs New York Giants | Seattle | New York Giants |
