NFL 2023 regular season key matchups: The 10 games you can’t miss

In early May, the National Football League (NFL) officially released the complete schedule for the 2023 regular season. The schedule was determined based on the previous season’s results and each team’s standings. This means that the matchups for the upcoming season were already known before the official release of the schedule.

Let’s look at the season’s most exciting matchups.

Lions at Chiefs, September 7

The NFL season opener is this Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes aims for his third Super Bowl title and third league MVP award. The Detroit Lions have an opportunity to prove their potential with a solid defense anchored by standout players. Fans are excited to see how the Lions fare against the explosive Chiefs.

Packers at Bears, September 10

Jordan Love is set to commence his first complete season as the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, taking over from Aaron Rodgers. The Packers traded Rodgers to the New York Jets, believing Love needed some playing time. The forthcoming season will be a test for the Packers to determine whether they made the correct decision.

Bills at Jets, September 11

With Aaron Rodgers set to debut as quarterback in the first Monday night game, the New York Jets hope to make a strong comeback in the NFL this season. The team’s last playoff appearance was back in 2010 when Rex Ryan coached, and Mark Sanchez played quarterback during their back-to-back appearances in the AFC championship game. Meanwhile, Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, has made an incredible recovery since suffering a cardiac arrest and collapsing during a game against Cincinnati on January 2. Hamlin is eager to continue his football career and may play his first NFL game since the incident.

Chiefs at Jets, October 1

In an early-season, Sunday night game, Mahomes and Rodgers are finally set to meet for the first time in their careers. Mahomes missed the chance to play against Rodgers and the Packers in 2019 due to a dislocated kneecap, while Rodgers could not face Mahomes and the Chiefs in 2021 due to testing positive for the coronavirus.

Cowboys at 49ers, October 8

In Week 5, the Dallas Cowboys have a chance to make a statement in a highly anticipated Sunday night game against the team that knocked them out of the last two NFC playoffs. This game will allow the Cowboys to prove they are a legitimate contender this season and have what it takes to beat top-tier teams. With all eyes on this game, the Cowboys must bring their A-game and execute flawlessly to come out on top.

Dolphins-Chiefs, November 5

The NFL game featuring the Dolphins and Tyreek Hill’s former team is scheduled in Frankfurt, Germany, rather than at the Arrowhead Stadium. This marks the league’s return to Germany after a triumphant regular season debut last year. Notably, this game is the first of two NFL games set to take place in Frankfurt, with the Colts and Patriots also scheduled to play there a week later.

Additionally, in October, the NFL will host three games in London, featuring the Falcons versus the Jaguars on October 1, the Jaguars versus the Bills on October 8, and the Ravens versus the Titans on October 15.

Jets at Bills, November 19

For the New York Jets and Aaron Rodgers to establish themselves as a legitimate contender in the AFC East, they must prove their ability to compete with the division’s top team. Achieving this will require a combination of skill, strategy, and mental toughness, along with excellent teamwork and execution on both sides of the field. It is also crucial for the Jets to maintain a consistent level of performance throughout the season, focusing on minimizing errors and taking advantage of opportunities. Ultimately, winning important matchups against their division rivals is the key to the Jets making a statement in the AFC East and beyond.

Packers at Lions, November 23

During the 2022 regular season’s last game, the Lions triumphed over the Packers, eliminating them from the NFC playoff contention. Coincidentally, this game also marked Rodgers’s final appearance for Green Bay. Currently, the Lions are vying for control over the NFC North, post-Rodgers Packers. On Thanksgiving Day, the Lions and Packers will face off in one of three division games, which includes Commanders-Cowboys and 49ers-Seahawks.

Dolphins at Jets, November 24

As part of its annual schedule, the NFL has followed the tradition of scheduling a game on the Friday after Thanksgiving, also known as “Black Friday.” To expand its reach, the league has collaborated with Prime Video, Amazon’s streaming service, to broadcast this unique game. This partnership is expected to continue in the years to come, making this an annual staple of the NFL schedule.

Bengals at Chiefs, December 31

As we approach New Year’s Eve, football fans can look forward to another exciting chapter in the ongoing rivalry between the Bengals and their opponent. This game always generates a lot of buzz, and for good reason - these two teams have a history of playing hard against each other.

In the past, the Bengals have made headlines for their comments about “Burrow-head” Stadium, but this time around, they might want to consider keeping those remarks to a minimum. The stakes are high, and their opponent could need extra motivation to gain an edge.

That being said, there’s no doubt that this will be an intense and spirited matchup. Both teams will give it their all, and fans can expect a thrilling game that will probably be talked about for years.