272 games will be played in the NFL during the 2023 season, or 18 regular season weeks. All will have their importance, but some necessarily stand out a little more.
Between clashes of stars, expected return, revenge and race for the playoffs, here is an absolutely non-exhaustive list of the meetings not to be missed during the upcoming campaign. This season, the big posters are rather at the end of the season.
Week 1: New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills
Aaron Rodgers’ first NFL game in his new colors remains an event. The opponent is far from being a stooge, since it is the Bills of Josh Allen, defending champion of the division. All the ingredients are there for a great football party.
Week 2: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Bowns
One of the most intense rivalries in recent NFL history: the duel between the Steelers and the Browns will be decisive for the rest of the season for both teams. The return of a high-level Deshaun Watson or the confirmation of Kenny Pickett’s progress? Answer in second week.
Week 6: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville has become the team to beat in the AFC South and the Colts want to find new life after the selection of Anthony Richardson. This duel will be an indicator of the health of both teams, in a division where the gaps are still small.
Week 6: Las Vegas Raiders vs. New England Patriots
The Raiders of padawan Josh McDaniels against the Patriots of master Bill Belichick, a fratricidal duel on several levels. Jimmy G will also find his former team, in a stadium that will be the lair of the next Super Bowl.
Week 8: Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans
The traditional duel of young rookie quarterbacks, always a great moment in a season. Bryce Young vs. CJ Stroud, a duel between two players who once hosted epic college battles.
Week 9: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Buffalo Bills
The start of serious business. Buffalo experienced a terrible disappointment after the loss in the playoffs against this same team. Revenge will therefore be on the menu for Josh Allen and his teammates. On the contrary, Joe Burrow will want to confirm his domination against the New York State team.
Week 11: Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles
Another revenge, but here we are talking about the Super Bowl. Jalen Hurts and his whole team have not forgotten the cruel defeat. But the task will be tough against Andy Reid’s team, which seems to have the keys against his former franchise every season.
Week 12: New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins
The first Black Friday game in history will be a divisional rivalry between the Aaron Rodgers Jets and the Tua Tagovailoa Dolphins. Depending on the configuration of the season, this duel could be decisive in the race for the AFC playoffs.
Week 13: Philadelphia Eagles vs. San Francisco 49ers
Revenge of the playoffs, episode 3. The 49ers did not digest the defeat, and they will have the opportunity to take the lead against their number 1 rival in the NFC. This meeting could even decide the winner of the conference, and will be a great match whatever happens.
Week 17: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The best for the end ? The duel between Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes seems to have become the unmissable meeting in the NFL for a few years. Which of the two men will have the advantage? The answer could turn the NFL playoff race on its head.
