The most compelling game from each week of the 2023 NFL schedule
The 2023 NFL schedule has finally been released, with plenty of exciting matchups. These are the most compelling games for all 18 weeks of the regular season.
Week 1: Bills at Jets
Jets fans couldn't be more excited about Aaron Rodgers' arrival, and he arrives with his new team against the AFC East favorite Bills. Buffalo's 2022 season ended in disappointing fashion in the Division Round, though they still have high hopes for a playoff run led by Josh Allen.
Week 2: Seahawks at Lions
Seattle and Detroit are two popular sleeper teams in the NFL, each showing significant improvement last season. The Seahawks will visit Detroit in a game that could have big implications for the NFC playoff picture.
Week 3: Chargers at Vikings
Both the Chargers and Vikings had strong 2022 regular seasons that ended in very disappointing Wild Card Round losses. Each team could spur their season with a rare head-to-head matchup as Justin Herbert goes into Minnesota to face Kirk Cousins.
Week 4: Chiefs at Jets
Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers are set to face off in what can be called the State Farm Bowl, and the game also happens to be an enticing Sunday Night Football special for NBC. Both fanbases expect big things in 2023.
Week 5: Cowboys at 49ers
The Cowboys vs. 49ers rivalry has been one of the NFC's best for decades, and it's beginning to make a comeback with both franchises having Super Bowl hopes. Dallas will visit Santa Clara for a fun Sunday night matchup.
Week 6: Broncos at Chiefs
New Broncos head coach Sean Payton will get his first opportunity to face Andy Reid and the Chiefs in a Week 6 Thursday Night Football matchup. Payton is looking to get Russell Wilson and his team on the right track this season, and defeating Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium would be a great announcement of his arrival.
Week 7: Dolphins at Eagles
Former Alabama quarterbacks have been taking over the NFL lately, and Week 7 gives us an opportunity to see two of the best in recent memory. Jalen Hurts leads the Eagles against the man who replaced him at Bama, Tua Tagovailoa.
Week 8: Texans at Panthers
We like to create rivalries from quarterbacks from the same draft class, and Week 8 showcases the top two picks in the draft with Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. It remains to be seen if either the Texans or Panthers will be competitive this season, but this is a great chance to see the progress of the two rookies.
Week 9: Dolphins at Chiefs
Kansas City fans feel deprived of Tyreek Hill's return to Arrowhead Stadium with the Dolphins at Chiefs matchup moving to Germany. Still, it's a terrific matchup between two elite offenses from last season, and a definite treat for fans in Frankfurt.
Week 10: Lions at Chargers
Week 10 features two exciting offenses with the Lions visiting the Chargers. As a bonus, Lions quarterback Jared Goff will visit his former home at SoFi Stadium, where he quarterbacked the Rams for one season.
Week 11: Eagles at Chiefs
Possibly the most anticipated game on the 2023 schedule, Philadelphia's visit to KC will be a rematch of the excellent Super Bowl LVII matchup. All of the intriguing storylines still apply, as the Kelce brothers will get another chance for their teams to face off and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will face his former team.
Week 12: Dolphins at Jets
Miami and New York are chasing the Bills and the AFC East, and the Week 12 matchup will undoubtedly be a big one if either team hopes to win the division. Miami's offense took a huge leap forward last season under head coach Mike McDaniel, and the Jets hope to do the same with Aaron Rodgers now under center.
Week 13: 49ers at Eagles
Last year's NFC Championship was a disappointment after 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy suffered an elbow injury. Hopefully, both sides will be healthy in the rematch as the 49ers try to avenge their loss to Philadelphia.
Week 14: Bills at Chiefs
The last three seasons of Bills vs. Chiefs matchups have been classics, so there's no reason to expect any different this year. One additional storyline by Week 14 could be the MVP candidacies of star quarterbacks Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.
Week 15: Ravens at Jaguars
Jacksonville's return to the playoffs last year gives them more opportunities in front of a national audience this season. Their Week 15 scheduled matchup vs. Baltimore is their first Sunday Night Football game in 15 years, and could have two teams playing for playoff positioning.
Week 16: Ravens at 49ers
Week 16 is a rematch of Super Bowl XLVII from 11 years ago. Could it be a preview of this year's Super Bowl? The matchup features two excellent running games and hard-nosed defenses.
Week 17: Bengals at Chiefs
The last two years of Bengals vs. Chiefs matchups have featured incredible drama. We left off with the Patrick Mahomes pulling off a heroic performance while nursing a sprained ankle in the AFC Championship to beat the Bengals 23-20, and the Week 17 rematch vs. Joe Burrow could determine home-field advantage in this year's playoffs.
Week 18: Bills at Dolphins
The final week of the regular season is all divisional matchups, and the Bills vs. Dolphins could have as much playoff and divisional impact as any game. Miami won one out of three head-to-head matchups last season, claiming the Week 3 home contest 21-19.
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