The 2023 NFL schedule has been released. And all compasses point to Week 1.
Although the season’s opening matchup will not define a club’s campaign, it sets a precedent for them to have a progressive season. Last year, 10 of the last standing 14 postseason teams won in Week 1.
Week 1 will kick off the first season where Monday Night Football games will be open for flex scheduling, starting from Week 12. To see the complete 18-week schedule, fans can click here.
Below is a quick rundown of all the Week 1 matchups, beginning with the reigning Super Bowl champs waving their latest banner.
To get more information on purchasing game tickets for the 2023 NFL schedule, click here.
Read: AWS-powered 2023 NFL Schedule to be released on Thursday, May 11
Thursday, September 7th
Detroit Lions AT Kansas City Chiefs
- Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City, Mo.
The last clash between Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff was so loud it could be heard all around America. The NFL hopes to repeat history with Mahomes’ Super Bowl winners Kansas City Chiefs playing Goff’s upstart Detroit Lions as slated on the 2023 NFL schedule.
Sunday, September 10th
Carolina Panthers AT Atlanta Falcons
- Venue: Mercedes Benz Stadium | Atlanta
Bryce Young’s first career start pits the No. 1 overall pick against a division rival on the road. Atlanta used the offseason to beef up their defense to stop players the ex-Heisman Trophy winner. Fans will also get a closer look at how Arthur Smith will apply running back Bijan Robinson in his offense.
Houston Texans AT Baltimore Ravens
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium | Baltimore
After signing a huge new contract, Lamar Jackson gets to lead a new offense. With a lineup featuring Odell Beckham, first-round pick Zay Flowers, and Rashod Bateman, new Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken has all the pass catchers he needs to unleash Jackson’s arm of fury.
Can DeMeco Ryan’s developing defense, headed by first-round pick Will Anderson Jr., keep up? CJ Stroud’s possible first start as a pro will be in hostile territory.
Cincinnati Bengals AT Cleveland Browns
-
Venue: FirstEnergy Stadium | Cleveland
A battle brews in Ohio and will be trashed out in the kick-off of the 2023 season. Joe Burrow’s Bengals won consecutive AFC North titles and have enough ammo for a three-peat.
On the other hand, after Deshaun Watson had a challenging return late last season, Cleveland hopes the rust falls off its offense and they make a lasting impression.
The Browns’ offense needs to deliver or Ja’Marr Chase and Co. could steal the opener against their defense that upgraded this offseason but is still a mystery box.
Jacksonville Jaguars AT Indianapolis Colts
-
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium | Indianapolis Colts
-
Time: 1 p.m ET
-
How to watch: FOX
Trevor Lawrence and the AFC South champs travel northside to open the season against the division-rival Indianapolis, who could be launching rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson out of the gate. With Calvin Ridley joining Lawrence’s pass-catching corps, Jacksonville could build an iron-clad offense.
Will new Colts coach Shane Steichen counter this attack with Richardson in Week 1 or bring on veteran Gardner Minshew?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers AT Minnesota Vikings
-
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium | Minneapolis
The Buccaneers and Vikings battle at Minneapolis, warding off reports of regression in 2023. This matchup will have lots of wide receivers, Justin Jefferson and first-round pick Jordan Addison in purple and Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in pewter.
Considering that the two clubs struggled with their defense a year ago, it may be a shootout. Most of the work rests on the quarterbacks, especially the Buccaneers, where Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask will fight for opening-day duties.
Tennesse Titans AT New Orleans Saints
-
Venue: Caesars Superdome | New Orleans
-
When: 1 p.m. ET
-
How to watch: CBS
Derek Carr opens for the Saints in the Superdome, where he may get the ball running. If Michael Thomas is in good shape, New Orleans could enter this game guns blazing. Thomas, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed band together to create a stellar receiver trio for Carr to win at all levels.
The Saints lost out at the bulk up front this year, so if Derrick Henry stays with the Titans to start the season, it could be a big day for the King.
San Francisco 49ers AT Pittsburgh Steelers
-
Venue: Acrisure Stadium | Pittsburgh
Kyle Shanahan was happy the 2023 NFL schedule did not put his team against the Philadelphia Eagles, but he will still be going to Pennsylvania for Week 1. But it could be a tough game, with both sides looking to establish the ground game early.
The big question for the 49ers is if Brock Purdy will be ready to play in the season opener. For Pittsburgh, their reformed offensive line, including Broderick Jones’ first-round pick, will be tested against Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and others.
Arizona Cardinals AT Washington Commanders
-
Venue: FedEx Field | Landover, Md.
Sam Howell wants to start the season under centre after an impressive Week 18 run last year. He was chosen to play against Arizona which has a questionable defense, which may be one of the worst defensive lines in the league.
Kyler Murray is expected to miss the beginning of the season, so, Howell-Colt McCoy could open the season in Washington.
Green Bay Packers AT Chicago Cubs
-
Venue: Soldier Field | Chicago
Jordan Love will face a Cubs defense that had a challenging last season, but on paper, covered up some holes during offeseason. Justin Fields had the best moment as a passer last season against Green Bay in Week 13 before two last-minute interceptions.
Can he be more explosive now that D.J. Moore plays on his side?
Las Vegas Raiders AT Denver Broncos
-
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High | Denver
Sean Payton begins his home game with the Broncos against the Raiders. How will Russell Wilson fare in the new offense? Did he fumble briefly last season or was that the onset of decline?
Las Vegas has holes on defense, so it is great chance to begin right in Denver. For the Raiders the big question is how the offense will look differently with Jimmy G and Jakobi Meyers replacing Derek Carr and Darren Waller.
The first week could answer the question about how the offenses of both sides will perform in 2023.
Miami Dolphins AT Los Angeles Chargers
-
Venue: SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, California.
Miami Dolphins VS Los Angeles Chargers may be the most exciting game of Week 1. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Mike Williams, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston. Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., Devon Achane. Austin Ekeler will be attending.
Both Miam and Los Angeles have speed and playmaking all over the field. The defense line too is in great shape: featuring Christian Wilkins, Bradley Chubb, Jalen Ramsey, Jevon Holland, Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Derwin James, Asante Samuel Jr.
Philadelphia Eagles AT New England Patriots
-
Venue: Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Massachusetts
New England will honor Tom Brady in the home opener against the club that defeated them in Super Bowl LII. This matchup will be a yardstick game for the hosts.
How will Mac Jones handle Bill O’Brien’s offense, especially when facing one of the best defensive lines in the League?
Can Jalen Hurts get an MVP campaign off to a good start against Bill Belichick’s defense in Foxborough?
Los Angeles Rams AT Seattle Seahawks
-
Venue: Lumen Field | Seattle
Geno Smith has got a new contract and lots of ammo within his reach. Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njiba have the capacity to defeat the best WR trio in the NFL. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet create an iconic 1-2 punch in the backfield.
As he faces a reforming Rams defense with young men all over the field, Smith could begin the season with an electrifying start. Despite missing some key players last season, including Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald, the Rams played the Seahawks close in two games, losing two games. Will these missing stars come back to uplift the team?
Dallas Cowboys AT New York Giants
-
Venue: MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, N.J.
-
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
-
How to watch: NBC
The Cowboys defeated Giants last year as they both advanced to the postseason as wild cards. But things changed in the 2023 offseason. Mike McCarthy is in charge of play-calling in Dallas and Ezekiel Elliot has been unleashed.
McCarthy wants to run the ball more, but with Brandin Cooks added to the WR group, the Cowboys are ready for Dak Prescott to throw th ball. Week 1 will tell if McCarthy was just bluffing.
New York used the offseason to build an upstart group, including signing first-round corner Deonte Banks. Including Darren Waller and retaining Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley in New York could make Brian Daboll’s impressive Year 1. The feud should have an exciting beginning that will close the first Sunday of football in the 2023 NFL schedule.
Monday, September 11th
Buffalo Bills AT New York Jets
-
Venue: MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, N.J.
Josh Allen VS Aaron Rodgers happens on Monday Night Football. Rodgers will debut at GreenBay, where he shined in his iconic career. Fans will watch the four-time MVP settle into passing the ball to current Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson.
They will also get to watch the Buffalo Bills defense which may play without Von Miller start the season with Sean McDermott assuming the role of defensive play-caller again. Allen will want to redeem himself from a disappointing playoff run, but it will be a challenging test.
Two of the worst matches Allen played last season were against Robert Saleh’s defense. He will get an early advantage in the hotly competed AFC East.
The post 2023 NFL schedule release: Cowboys-Giants, Lions-Chiefs, Bills-Jets grace Week 1 appeared first on Matchplug Blog.
