NFL Schedule Hype 🍿

05/12/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Primetime Slots, Strength of Schedule & The Top-20 Biggest Games for the 2023 NFL Season

It’s schedule day! The 2023 NFL schedule was released last night to set the stage for the season ahead. There’s plenty to analyze, from rematches and revenge games to strengths of schedule and more. One big surprise (or maybe not) is the Lions against the Chiefs to open the season. Jets fans were the biggest winners of the schedule release as the Aaron Rodgers effect delivered four primetime slots. And the marquee playoff squads from last season — Chiefs, Eagles, 49ers, Bengals, Cowboys, and Bills — were blessed with at least three primetime games apiece. Sadly for four teams, there will be no primetime games in 2023 — Colts, Cardinals, Texans, and Falcons. Here’s a look at the top 20 games to circle on the calendar next fall.

Season-Opener

Lions at Chiefs (Thurs. Sept. 7, 8:20 pm ET)

Holiday Games

Week 12: Packers at Lions (12:30 pm ET)

Week 12: Commanders at Cowboys (4:30 pm ET)

Week 12: 49ers at Seahawks (8:20 pm ET)

Week 16: Raiders at Chiefs (1:00 pm ET)

Week 16: Giants at Eagles (4:30 pm ET)

Week 16: Ravens at 49ers (8:15 pm ET)

Primetime Must-See Games

Week 1: Bills at Jets (Monday Night Football)

Week 4: Chiefs at Jets (Sunday Night Football)

Week 5: Cowboys at 49ers (Sunday Night Football)

Week 9: Bills at Bengals (Sunday Night Football)

Week 11: Eagles at Chiefs (Monday Night Football)

Week 12: Bears at Vikings (Monday Night Football)

Week 14: Eagles at Cowboys (Sunday Night Football)

Other Games to Watch (Storyline)

Week 2: Jets at Cowboys (Rodgers vs. McCarthy)

Week 3: Rams at Bengals (Super Bowl LVI Rematch)

Week 8: Texans at Panthers (Top-2 Rookie QBs)

Week 8: Jets at Giants (Battle of New York)

Week 13: 49ers at Eagles (NFC Champ Rematch)

Week 16: Browns at Texans (Deshaun Watson)

Week 17: Bengals at Chiefs (AFC Champ Rematch)

Strength of Schedules (2022 Opponent Win %)

1. Eagles (.566) — Toughest

2. Dolphins (.554)

3. Giants (.549)

4. Patriots (.549)

5. Cowboys (.549)

——————————

28. Titans (.448)

29. Colts (.434)

30. Texans (.431)

31. Saints (.427)

32. Falcons (.417) — Easiest

With 272 total games, it would be impossible to deliver the entire NFL slate. Here’s a collection of links for team-by-team breakdowns so you can see your team’s schedule in 2023.

Team Schedules

AFC North: Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers

AFC South: Texans | Colts | Titans | Jaguars

AFC East: Dolphins | Bills | Jets | Patriots

AFC West: Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers | Broncos

NFC North: Bears | Lions | Vikings | Packers

NFC South: Buccaneers | Saints | Panthers | Falcons

NFC East: Eagles | Cowboys | Giants | Commanders

NFC West: 49ers | Seahawks | Cardinals | Rams

USA Today: The Aaron Rodgers Effect: Jets QB Has Massive Impact on NFL Schedule

CBS Sports: NFL Schedule Release Shocker: Chiefs Will Host Lions in TNF Opener

Yahoo! Sports: NFL Schedule Instant Reactions: Time to Officially Buy the Lions Hype

Image via NFL/Giphy