Eight NFL games that we are looking forward to the most in 2023

It has been about a month since the NFL schedule release, and I have since analyzed the schedule for games that pique my interest. There are endless matchups that have fascinating storylines this year, but some certainly stand out above the rest. In this article, I will discuss the eight games I am most looking forward to most during this regular season.

8. Indianapolis Colts @ Carolina Panthers, Week 9

You are probably wondering how this matchup found a spot on this list. At first glance, there is not too much that is overly intriguing about this game.

The Panthers are improved but they are certainly not viewed as a viable threat to the league’s top teams. Meanwhile, the Colts are likely a bottom three team in this league. With that said, I am very intrigued by this game because Frank Reich is now the head coach for the Panthers.

Following a 3-5-1 start to last season, Reich was fired by the Colts. Many viewed it as the wrong move, particularly when the Colts immediately hired ESPN commentator Jeff Saturday. Those around the league were critical of the move because Saturday never held any coaching position in the NFL, and his only coaching experience was as a high school coach.

Without a doubt, Reich feels that he was done wrong by the Colts and will be out for revenge in this matchup. Throw in the fact that this game will feature the #1 and #4 picks on the draft, quarterbacks Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson, and this should make for an intriguing game.

7. Dallas Cowboys @ San Francisco 49ers, Week 5

This is not only a matchup of two of the league’s most iconic franchises, but it is also a rematch of last year’s Divisional Round matchup and the previous year’s Wildcard Round matchup. In both games, the 49ers came out on top: 19-12 last year and 23-17 the previous year.

Each game was tightly contested, with both coming down to the final play. I would expect another close game this time around; surely, the Cowboys will want revenge against their long-time rival and team that has knocked them out of the playoffs in consecutive years. 

6. Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs, Week 14

It was starting to feel like the Bills and Chiefs meeting in the playoffs would become an annual occurrence, but we were robbed of this matchup last season following the Bengals defeating the Bills in the Divisional round.

With that said, neither team has taken a step back and it seems fair to say this matchup is a likely playoff preview yet again. So far, it is the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes that have had the upper hand on the Bills and Josh Allen.

If Allen and the Bills want to prove that they are ready to topple the Chiefs from their throne, winning this game at Arrowhead would go a long way.

5. Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets, Week 1

This game will be played on Monday Night Football during Week 1, in what I anticipate to be the most exciting game of the league’s opening week. To start, it will be the first start for Aaron Rodgers as quarterback of the Jets.

After being with the Packers for all 18 years of his career, all eyes will be on Aaron to see how he handles his transition from Green Bay to New York City. With Aaron joining an already talented roster, it is not far-fetched to think that the Jets could challenge for the AFC East crown.

Of course, the Bills are still regarded as the favorites and Week 1 should serve as a good barometer for the Jets to determine if they are in the same class as the Bills. The Bills, coming off an extremely disappointing end to last year’s season, should be as hungry as ever to prove they are still the team to beat in the AFC East.

4. New England Patriots @ Las Vegas Raiders, Week 6

This one might not be so obvious. However, there is quite a bit of history between these two teams and a few storylines that will make this game interesting.

In terms of this matchup’s history, two of the most memorable finishes in recent memory have occurred when these two teams have played: the first being the “Tuck Rule” game and the second being last year’s “Lateral Gone Wrong” game. What also makes this game interesting is the fact that many notable former names from the Patriots have now joined the Raiders organization.

Josh McDaniels will now be serving in his second year as head coach for the Raiders. Jimmy Garoppolo is now a quarterback for the Raiders. And now, Tom Brady is an owner of the Raiders. All three will go up against their former boss/coach Bill Belichick. Under the radar, this has all the makings of a fascinating matchup.

3. Philadelphia Eagles @ San Francisco 49ers, Week 13

Here we have a rematch of last season’s NFC championship, with the difference here being that this game will be played in San Francisco. Although this may not be a rivalry yet, it seems that things that could be headed in that direction if these two teams solidify themselves as the two powerhouses in the NFC for the second consecutive year.

It should also be noted that, despite the Championship game being lopsided in the favor of the Eagles, the 49ers did not play with a legitimate quarterback for much of the game. Many of the 49ers players have since spoken of their conviction that they would have won the game with a healthy Brock Purdy.

Although I do not necessarily share that belief, I do feel as though the game would have been a nail-biter if Purdy had not gone down with the injury. As a football fan, I feel as though that we were robbed of a great game and I fully expect that we will get one here.

2. Cincinnati Bengals @ Kansas City Chiefs, Week 17

It is no secret that these two teams are developing somewhat of a rivalry. To start, they have played in the last 2 AFC championships. Of course, it was the Chiefs who took the crown last year but it was the Bengals the year before that.

The Chiefs and Bengals have also met during the last two regular seasons, with the Bengals winning both games. Add in the fact that this game will be taking place almost a year removed from the Damar Hamlin incident, and it is easy to see why there would be a lot of suspense for this game.

I would expect another tight one-possesion battle, just like the other four games between Mahomes and Burrow have been over the past two seasons.

1. Philadelphia Eagles @ Kansas City Chiefs, Week 11

At the top of the list we have our Super Bowl LVII rematch. Of course, it was the Chiefs who defeated the Eagles by a score of 38-35. However, it is important to remember that the Eagles were in control for most of the game; they were ahead 24-14 at halftime and 27-21 going into the fourth quarter.

The Eagles surely felt like they should have won last year’s Super Bowl and will be out for revenge in this game to prove that they are every good as the Chiefs. With that said, this game should mean every bit as much to the Chiefs, and it will not be an easy task for the Eagles with the game being played in Arrowhead. With these two teams being at the top of the power rankings again this season, it’s not like it is unlikely that this could be a preview of this year’s Super Bowl.

Expect another tight game between two of the league’s best teams, and maybe this time the two defenses will hold Mahomes and Hurts to less than a combined 73 points.