By Marvin Moore July 7, 2023
The 2023 NFL season is fast approaching, and a new television contract has changed the rules on how Fox and CBS determine which games to broadcast each week. America’s favorite professional sports league has 272 games spread out over 18 weeks.
The Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and Seattle Seahawks will host games on Thanksgiving Day, while the Miami Dolphins will travel to New Jersey on Friday, November 24, to battle Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Prime Video.
A whopping 10 games will be on tap on Christmas Eve before a tripleheader on Christmas Day headlined by a primetime showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers. The NFL will feature a full slate of games on New Year’s Eve, with the Cincinnati Bengals visiting the Kansas City Chiefs as the marquee matchup.
An array of intriguing inter-conference matchups are also on the slate this upcoming season. Here are our most-anticipated contests between AFC and NFC powerhouses in 2023.
Thursday, September 7 – Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs
The upstart Detroit Lions will kick off the new season against the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the league’s first regular season game. The Chief has won nine of the 14 meetings between the two franchises, including a 34-30 road win in 2019. The two squads are 2-2 in the last four contests, and the Lions will learn how they compare with one of the NFL’s top teams early.
Sunday, September 17 – New York Jets at Dallas Cowboys
Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers will visit AT&T Stadium with his new team to battle the Dallas Cowboys. America’s Team has won seven of the 12 meetings between the two squads, but the Jets have won the last three games against Dallas. The Cowboys have a ferocious pass rush and a pair of outstanding cornerbacks. However, Rodgers has a history of topping Dallas, and this matchup has all the ingredients to be a Game of the Year candidate.
Sunday, October 15 – San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns
Regardless of who is under center for the 49ers, this contest has the potential to be a barn burner. The Browns lead the all-time series, 12-8, and have claimed victories in four of their past six meetings. In a game featuring a pair of stout defenses, the performance of Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson will determine if the Dawg Pound is celebrating a big win over San Francisco.
Sunday, October 15 – Philadelphia Eagles at New York Jets
The reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles will look to stay perfect when they visit MetLife Stadium to butt heads against the Jets. The Eagles have never lost to New York in 12 meetings but will face a youthful and talented squad with a veteran quarterback who knows how to win. Philadelphia will seek its 13th straight win over Gang Green, which might prove unlucky for Jalen Hurts and company.
Monday, October 16 – Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers
The Cowboys have won seven of the 12 all-time meetings between the two franchises, but the Chargers have won four of the past six matchups. Former Dallas offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will call the plays for Justin Herbert, which should spark this rivalry. The Cowboys have won four of their last five road games against the Chargers.
Sunday, October 22 – Miami Dolphins at Philadelphia Eagles
The Dolphins lead the all-time series with nine victories in 15 contests and have won the last two meetings between the two teams. The Eagles led the league in sacks in 2022, while a leaky offensive line led to multiple concussions for Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Both squads feature playmakers on both sides of the ball, which makes this one of the most intriguing games of the year.
Sunday, October 22 – Cincinnati Bengals at San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers will host Joe Burrow & Co. in a possible Super Bowl preview. San Francisco has posted a 13-4 record against Cincinnati, including four wins in the last five matchups. The Bengals have a huge advantage at quarterback, but the 49ers boast one of the league’s elite defensive units. This game has a bevy of playmakers and should be one of the most entertaining contests of the NFL season.
