The 2023 NFL schedule finally dropped, which means it’s time to take a look at the slate of games that begin the season. Though there are certainly some games football fans won’t want to miss in the first week; there are also some that could be passed over.
The season begins with the Detroit Lions heading to Kansas City to take on the Super Bowl champs in Arrowhead on Thursday night, with early NFL odds giving the Chiefs a seven-point favorite at home.
The other two primetime games in Week 1 feature the Dallas Cowboys visiting the New York Giants on Sunday night while the New York Jets kick off their season with their new quarterback Aaron Rodgers against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.
The battle between Rodgers and Josh Allen is definitely not one to miss as the first week of the new season concludes, but there are some other winning matchups to start the season as well.
First-Round Draft Picks
A pair of first-round draft picks are expected to debut in Week 1 when Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers take on Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons. Still, Young isn’t the only young quarterback expected to debut in the season opener.
C.J. Stroud will have many straining to see how he does in his first start with Houston, while Colts fans hope they’ve found their future quarterback in Anthony Richardson.
Another to keep an eye on, however, is quarterback Jordan Love, taking over as the Packers starting quarterback after making one previous start, against Kansas City in 2021. In a rivalry as old as the NFL, the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears will meet at Soldier Field, but this time, NFL lines favor the home team after four straight years of Green Bay sweeping Chicago.
As a few young quarterbacks will try to instill hope in their fan bases for the 2023 season with their play, other veterans will aim to improve upon their play from 2022.
Cleveland fans will hope to see the Deshaun Watson of years past when the Browns take on rival Cincinnati in Week 1, while Denver fans are hoping for the same from Russell Wilson against the Raiders after a disappointing 2022 season.
NFL Week 1
The first week of the NFL season offers plenty for fans to get excited about in rookies, players with new teams, and more, but there are also some games that, unless a fan of the team, may not be worth watching.
One such game is the Arizona Cardinals meeting the Washington Commander at FedEx Field. With neither team having a strong 2022 season and the quarterback situation dismal to start the season for each team, it’s probably best to sit this one out.
