Every NFL Week 1 game on 2023 schedule, ranked by watchability
The 2023 NFL schedule is now set.
Earlier than we head into full offseason mode, it’s time to look forward, for a second, at Week 1 of the 2023 marketing campaign.
Issues might change between from time to time, however proper now, listed here are the 16 Week 1 video games, ranked by watchability.
1. Detroit Lions at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
It must be no shock that this recreation is ranked excessive on this record. In any case, this contest cracked our record of one of the best video games of your entire 2023 NFL season. The defending Tremendous Bowl champions elevating the banner to start a brand new season is all the time a draw, however past Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, we additionally get the fightin’ Dan Campbells. The Detroit Lions are one of many extra fascinating groups to observe this season, and expectations are excessive within the Motor Metropolis. How they fare in opposition to Mahomes and firm shall be a terrific barometer to only how good they are surely.
2. Buffalo Payments at New York Jets
The debut of Aaron Rodgers for the New York Jets? An exciting AFC East battle that includes Josh Allen and the defending division champions? Monday Night time Soccer in MetLife Stadium to spherical out the primary week of the season? These are just some of the the reason why this is among the finest video games of the week.
3. Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers
The Dolphins and the Chargers are two of the extra intriguing groups within the AFC. Will Justin Herbert and the Chargers dwell as much as the annual expectations positioned on them by the media? Will Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins not simply return to the playoffs, however put collectively a deep run of their very own? Plus, the schematic battle between Brandon Staley and Mike McDaniel is perhaps definitely worth the worth of admission … or a Sunday Ticket subscription on YouTube TV.
4. Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
The primary Sunday evening affair of the season? An NFC East tilt between a pair of groups coming off playoff appearances. The New York Giants shocked the soccer world by making the playoffs, and knocking off the Minnesota Vikings earlier than falling to the Philadelphia Eagles within the Divisional Spherical. As for the Dallas Cowboys, they took care of Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier than shedding to the San Francisco 49ers within the playoffs for the second-straight season. How will Brian Daboll and firm fare in Yr Two? Week 1 will get us nearer to that reply.
5. Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots
Utilizing final 12 months’s information, the New England Patriots have one of many hardest schedules in your entire NFL. A part of that is because of the truth that the AFC East is about to tackle the NFC East this 12 months, that means that New England has to tackle three NFC playoff groups from a season in the past, along with the Payments and the Dolphins within the AFC East. That’s eight video games in opposition to playoff groups alone.
Kicking it off for Invoice Belichick’s squad? Welcoming the defending NFC Champions to city. Certain they’ll be honoring Tom Brady that evening, however that simply means extra pictures of Tremendous Bowl LII to go round …
6. Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
Let’s be actual: Early returns on the Browns’ Deshaun Watson gambit failed miserably. Watson was godawful in his six video games again following suspension, and that would completely be rust working its manner off — or maybe the beginning of an organizational catastrophe.
The expectation is that Cleveland ought to be capable of compete in a severe manner within the AFC, not simply the AFC North. All roads within the division run by Cincinnati and Baltimore proper now, so any hopes of constructing an affect in 2023 require making a press release in opposition to Joe Burrow and Co.
This recreation ought to give us an thought of each groups’ potential, and that makes it an enchanting recreation to observe to kick off the 12 months.
7. Inexperienced Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
If there’s certainly a real altering of the guard within the NFC North, this Week 1 conflict might be a superb barometer. Aaron Rodgers has given option to Jordan Love underneath middle for the Inexperienced Bay Packers, and the Chicago Bears have added loads of expertise to their roster between free company and the draft. Will these additions be sufficient to spice up Justin Fields in his third 12 months within the league, or are the Packers nonetheless one of many groups to beat within the NFC?
8. Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
Two of one of the best offensive rookies from the 2023 NFL Draft will conflict in Week 1 when Bryce Younger presumably leads the Panthers in opposition to Bijan Robinson and the Falcons. There’s extra to this recreation than simply rookie intrigue, nevertheless.
It goes with out saying that the NFC South is essentially the most wide-open division in soccer. All 4 groups are in some part of rebuilding, and whereas the Derek Carr-led Saints have essentially the most veteran expertise, upside is certainly in Carolina and Atlanta’s courtroom. Will Desmond Ridder present he could be ‘the man’? Will Frank Reich’s new system with the Panthers flip the nook? That is out first probability to reply a few of these questions, and it might be an element late within the season once we take a look at the NFC South race.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
With time, the video games between the Trevor Lawrence-led Jaguars and the Anthony Richardson-led Colts might be must-watch tv.
Week 1, nevertheless, might be not that point. It would take a while for Richardson to ease into the NFL recreation, and there’s a probability that new head coach Shane Steichen will depend on Gardner Minshew at the beginning of the season as Richardson learns the Indianapolis offense. Now, the second assembly of the season between these two AFC South rivals may certainly be a must-watch occasion.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings
Rebuilding following Tom Brady’s retirement will take time. Nevertheless, the Buccaneers seem like assured of their possibilities to compete within the NFC South proper now. Bruce Arians has been speaking up Baker Mayfield, and whereas that looks like misplaced religion, perhaps Tampa Bay can coax one thing out of him?
This can be a barometer recreation, not simply to get a way of the place the Bucs are, but additionally how Minnesota’s extraordinarily shaky secondary can maintain up. Any possibilities of competing within the NFC for a playoff spot would require stopping the go — one thing we don’t know whether or not this workforce can do but.
11. San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sam Darnold vs. Kenny Pickett: What’s to not love? Okay, all the pieces.
The 49ers are roughly hoping to take care of to begin the season till Brock Purdy is again from surgical procedure, whereas the Steelers are praying that Pickett will take a step ahead in 12 months two and show he’s the franchise QB the workforce was in search of.
It’s unclear how that may pan out, and both manner this recreation in all probability isn’t one to attract too many conclusions from, no matter what occurs. The 49ers will doubtless look flatter than they need to on offense, whereas the San Francisco protection is such a black gap that judging Pickett if he struggles shall be untimely.
12. Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos
That is all about seeing whether or not these groups have been proper in selecting their scapegoats. Josh McDaniels mainly asserted that Derek Carr was the difficulty, and we’ll see if the swap to Jimmy G will yield outcomes. In the meantime Denver are determined to consider Russell Wilson remains to be top-of-the-line quarterbacks within the NFL, and training was an issue within the Mile Excessive Metropolis.
Let’s face it: The Raiders and Broncos are taking part in for third and forth within the AFC West. Any hopes of both workforce defying these expectations requires a robust begin.
13. Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson has his new contract with the Ravens, and a few new receivers to focus on within the passing recreation, with the workforce including Odell Beckham Jr. in addition to rookie Zay Flowers. Add in new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and this might be a a lot completely different Baltimore offense than we now have seen the previous few seasons.
As for the Texans, they added C.J Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. on the prime of the 2023 draft, bringing them some a lot wanted expertise on each side of the ball. Anderson particularly may flourish as a rookie underneath head coach DeMeco Ryans.
14. Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints
The Derek Carr Period begins at dwelling, because the Tennessee Titans come to New Orleans to tackle the Saints. Given the quarterback questions in the remainder of the division, the presence of Carr underneath middle for New Orleans may give the Saints the sting within the NFC South.
Talking of quarterback questions, will it’s Ryan Tannehill underneath middle when this recreation kicks off, or will rookie Will Levis get the decision?
15. Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
Right here is an train: Take inventory of the quarterback rooms on this division. In San Francisco you could have Sam Darnold, together with Trey Lance and Brock Purdy, each of whom are coming off an damage. Kyler Murray is coming off his knee damage and his standing for Week 1 is doubtful. Matthew Stafford final noticed motion in Week 11 a season in the past and was positioned on Injured Reserve with a spinal wire contusion.
Do the Seahawks — with Geno Smith — have essentially the most secure QB scenario within the division?
16. Arizona Cardinals at Washington Commanders
Colt McCoy! Sam Howell! NFL motion is again at FedEx Discipline!
