FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS  | Texans win a title in 2023, Oilers go undefeated  

By Johnny Trlica

Opinion: Houston has become the football capital of the world with no less than three professional teams (*four if counting the Tennessee Titans masquerading as the Oilers for two games this year), and four college-level squads. That’s more than any other city in the country! 

Earlier this year, the XFL’s Roughnecks, led by Wade Phillips, completed a 7-3 regular season, winning the South Division, then promptly lost in the first round of the playoffs. 

The Gamblers, who have yet to play a game in Houston, completed their second unremarkable year in the revived USFL with a 5-5 mark. 

The Bayou City’s NFL team begins play this month. They will not win too many games but most assuredly will win a title: The Hottest Head Coach Award. Former Texans player DeMeco Ryans was named the team’s new head coach in the off-season and if his team can look as pretty on the field as he does, it will be a good season. 

The NFL has its first openly gay coach. Jacksonville Jaguars assistant Kevin Maxen became the first male NFL coach to come out as gay. 

Over in the Third Ward, the University of Houston is excited about their first season in the Big 12 Conference, having set a school record for season tickets sold.  Independence Bowl champions in 2022, the Cougars’ home schedule includes dates with Texas, Texas Christian University, and Oklahoma State. 

On South Main, Rice University hopes a move to the American Athletic Conference will see more W’s and more of Rice Stadium’s 45,000 seats filled. The Owls, Lending Tree Bowl participants in 2022, will host Houston, Texas Southern, and SMU.  

Texas Southern University, 5-6 in 2022, and Houston Christian, 2-9, hope to improve on last year’s disappointing finishes. 

Now for our annual predictions for the NFL season. 

NATIONAL CONFERENCE 

EAST
Philadelphia Eagles 12-5
Dallas Cowboys 10-7
New York Giants 8-9
Washington Commanders 7-10 

SOUTH
Carolina Panthers 10-7
New Orleans Saints 8-9
Atlanta Falcons 7-10
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-11 

NORTH
Minnesota Vikings 11-6
Detroit Lions 10-7
Green Bay Packers 6-11
Chicago Bears 5-12 

WEST
San Francisco 49ers 13-4
Seattle Seahawks 10-7
Los Angeles Rams 5-12
Arizona Cardinals 4-13  

AMERICAN CONFERENCE 

EAST
Buffalo Bills 12-5
New York Jets 11-6
Miami Dolphins 10-7
New England Patriots 8-9 

SOUTH
Jacksonville Jaguars 10-7
Tennessee Titans 5-10
Indianapolis Colts 6-11
Houston Texans 6-11
Houston Oilers* 2-0 

NORTH
Cincinnati Bengals 10-7
Baltimore Ravens 10-7
Cleveland Browns 9-8
Pittsburgh Steelers 9-8 

WEST
Kansas City Chiefs 11-6
Los Angeles Chargers 10-7
Denver Broncos 7-10
Las Vegas Raiders 4-13 

 

NFC CHAMPION: San Francisco over Philadelphia 

AFC CHAMPION: Kansas City over Buffalo 

SUPER BOWL: Kansas City repeats with a 34-27 win over San Francisco. 

NOTE: These predictions are just for fun and not intended to be taken seriously. Use them as a betting guide at your own risk, but if you win, please feel free to share.