The NFL is going to release the 2023 schedule in just a few hours, which means that all 32 franchises will finally be able to set their sights on their Week 1 opponent. While we still have a long way to go before the start of the regular season, the countdown to Week 1 is always enjoyable, and it would be even better when we get to these five matchups. There are also some great NFL schedule bets to consider.
Best Matchups For NFL Schedule Release
Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs
As the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs will host the first game of the 2023 season. We already know their opponent is going to be the Detroit Lions, but the real matchup worth watching is against the Los Angeles Chargers. These two division rivals have two of the top three quarterbacks in the league, and these teams always bring out the best in each other. Kansas City won both matchups last year, but they only did it by a combined six points. Now that Kellen Moore has replaced Joe Lombardi as offensive coordinator, the Chargers offense should be even more lethal, making this the perfect choice for the Week 1 NFL schedule release.
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Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys
The Philadelphia Eagles were one or two plays away from winning it all last year, and they’ve only gotten better thanks to a near-perfect NFL Draft class. The Eagles are the team to beat in the NFC, but the Dallas Cowboys aren’t too far behind them. Dak Prescott has a lot to prove after an unlucky 2022, and the addition of Brandin Cooks combined with Michael Gallup’s return to health should give this team one of the best offenses in football. This game has it all: division rivalry, two big-name franchises, and a whole lot of talent on both sides of the ball. Chances are, this will be a Sunday Night Football matchup.
Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals
The Baltimore Ravens were a Tyler Huntley fumble away from potentially knocking the Cincinnati Bengals out of the playoffs in their home stadium. Since then, Lamar Jackson earned a massive contract, while the team added Odell Beckham and Zay Flowers to improve the pass-catching weapons. Everyone is going to want to see the $260 million man in action, so they might as well have him face off against one of the best quarterbacks and teams in all of football. These two organizations will likely be the frontrunners for the AFC North crown, so you might as well get the division race off to a hot start.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Buffalo Bills
After a relatively disappointing year and a half, Trevor Lawrence finally started playing up to his potential in the back half of 2022. The former first-overall pick should spend the 2023 season establishing himself as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, and there’s no better way to measure his abilities than by having him go up against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Allen was the MVP frontrunner last year before an elbow injury slowed him down, so this matchup has a chance to be one of the best of the season, from an arm talent standpoint.
Carolina Panthers vs Houston Texans
Unlike every other team highlighted on the NFL schedule release list, the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans are both a few years away from competing. That being said, who wouldn’t want to see the top two picks in the 2023 NFL Draft face off against each other? There is some personal drama here as well, as Carolina was reportedly high on C.J. Stroud before changing their mind and selecting Bryce Young. Houston, meanwhile, reportedly had Young as their clear-cut QB1 and had to settle for Stroud.
Main Photo: Jay Biggerstaff – USA Today Sports
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