Nov 26, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates with wide receiver Nico Collins (12) after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The 2023 NFL season, like every NFL season, has had many surprises. Every year we think we know what is going to happen only for the unexpected to surprise us. Here are the biggest surprises of the 2023 NFL season so far.
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Biggest Surprise Of The 2023 NFL Season? The Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have to be the most surprising. The loss to the Jaguars on Sunday doesn’t take away the fact that DeMeco Ryans has his squad playing great. It all comes down to the play of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. He was one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft and is making the doubters look silly. His 2,962 passing yards with 17 touchdowns and 5 interceptions is setting rookie records. He is doing it with limited weapons as well. Nico Collins has been a reliable receiver and Tank Dell looks to be a star in the making.
Don’t sleep on the defense either. Much was made about the draft day trade to get Will Anderson Jr. out of Alabama but he has been great for this team. While the unit isn’t topping the charts, they aren’t in the basement like so many thought they would be. It is also much easier to play defense knowing Stroud is on the other side of the ball. The future is bright in Houston!
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The Chicago Bears Being This Bad
I thought that the Chicago Bears would be one of the biggest surprises of the 2023 NFL season because of their winning. Before the season, I had the Bears going 9-8. Unless they win their last six, that isn’t going to happen. At 3-8, they are in line for another top-five pick. What is surprising to me is that I don’t feel like the Bears have played that poorly. Yes, they have had duds but so has every team in the NFL. It comes down to an inability to close out games like last week against the Lions.
There is a silver lining for this team. They have been playing a lot better in the back half of the season. Montez Sweat looks great in that defense and the secondary is really coming into its own. Justin Fields and D.J. Moore look more on the same page every week. With the Panthers pick likely being in the top three, the Bears could win some games and still get top talent in the draft. The big question is Matt Eberflus. If the Bears can get a dynamic coach in with this roster, 2024 could finally be the year for the Bears.
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Shane Steichen Being The Best Of The New Hires
With all due respect to Ryans, I’ve been more impressed with what Steichen has done in Indianapolis. The Colts are 6-5! 6-5!!! They have a winning record when they have been without their starting quarterback for most of the season. Gardner Minshew has done what he has done his whole career. Jonathan Taylor looks back and engaged. The defense has been solid despite selling off some of their best pieces. Many wondered whether Steichen was a product of the glut of talent in Philadelphia. It seems easy to run an offense with Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and Devonta Smith at your disposal. However, Steichen is showing he can make an offense without high-level talent.
Those are my biggest surprises of the 2023 NFL season. I’m sure the surprises are not done as we still have the last third to go!
