NFL Schedule 2023: Six must-watch games this season

We’ve had time now to mull over the NFL schedule for the upcoming 2023 season and pencil in the dates of games we cannot wait for.

Detroit Lions @ Kansas City Chiefs, Week 1

The Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs kick off the 2023 NFL season on Thursday Night Football in September. The chance to see Patrick Mahomes and co. take to the field is an attraction in itself, but the Lions have built an offense that can be one of the most explosive in the league on their day.

Given how the Buffalo Bills thrashed reigning Super Bowl champs the Los Angeles Rams in 2022’s opener, the Chiefs will be looking to avoid similar embarrassment. Whilst the same won’t be expected of Detroit, it’ll be intriguing to see just how much this Lions team has improved over the offseason, and determine whether or not they can really compete with the very best in the business.

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets, Week 1

Aaron Rodgers‘ first game as a New York Jet on Monday Night Football, against a fierce divisional rival in the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen. It does not get much better than that!

In many people’s mind, whoever wins this game puts themselves in the driving seat for the AFC East. It’s one of the toughest divisions in the league this year, so an opening victory is absolutely crucial in terms of momentum for the rest of the campaign.

The New York derby with the Giants in Week 8 will also be special for Gang Green, but we’re all just too excited to see that opening snap from Rodgers at MetLife Stadium for the first time.

Houston Texans @ Carolina Panthers, Week 8

It may be billed as the first clash between the opening two picks of the 2023 NFL Draft, but the journey for Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud to the NFL is more than purely competitive. The pair have been the best quarterbacks in their age group since the two California kids started attending the same elite camps in middle school and have developed a friendly rivalry, which was clear for all to see on draft night in Kansas City.

As they play for the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans, teams in different conferences, this game in itself is a rarity, making it all-the-more unmissable. It’ll be the first chance for fans to see the rookies face off, and ultimately decide which of the two will have the greater career.

Buffalo Bills @ Cincinnati Bengals, Week 9

This fixture in Week 9 could provide us with one of the great storylines in the history of the NFL

Damar Hamlin is in line to return to Paycor Stadium, where he suffered a cardiac arrest during the very same fixture game less than a year ago. In a matter of months, Hamlin went from being in critical condition to being cleared for football activities, whilst bringing the NFL community together in a way we hadn’t seen. The safety playing back in Cincinnati would mark another chapter in his remarkable comeback story.

Elsewhere, this is still a huge game between two real forces of the AFC. With the competition getting stronger around them, can the Bills or Bengals take their opportunity for success in 2023?

Philadelphia Eagles @ Kansas City Chiefs, Week 11

The big one. The Super Bowl rematch and two favourites for the crown again this year. Chiefs-Eagles in Week 11 is looking like the hottest ticket of the season.

The Eagles will be coming off a bye, and given that Nick Sirianni is 2-0 after bye weeks throughout his coaching career during the regular season, so he and his team will be confident. But there is no good time to face the Chiefs, and they will need to be at their best if they are going to stand any sort of chance.

San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles, Week 13

Another big game rematch, this time between the top two teams in the NFC. While the Eagles walked past the 49ers in last season’s NFC Championship Game, Philadelphia and San Francisco are two very similar juggernauts. The 49ers have lamented the fact that quarterback Brock Purdy suffered his elbow injury so early during that game, which they feel it robbed them of a chance at winning.

We don’t know for sure who will be the QB for the team this season. But will they talent across the roster, San Fran will be pushing their conference rivals all the way again in 2023, ultimately for a shot at the Super Bowl.

You don’t want to miss this.