There aren’t many dates on the sports calendar that are as anticipated as Week 1 of the NFL season. NFL fans wait more than six months to watch games that matter. Preseason games just don’t cut. With the growing popularity of sports betting in USA, fans have even more of a reason to look forward to Week 1 of the regular season. As fans eagerly await the start of the new season, here are the games on the Week 1 schedule that stand out above the rest.
Lions vs Chiefs
As usual, the reigning Super Bowl champs get to open the season on Thursday night. Watching Patrick Mahomes in primetime is always must-see viewing for fans. But don’t forget about the Lions. They nearly made the playoffs last year and are considered favorites to win their division in 2023. Detroit should be able to put up a fight in Week 1 and could pull off a surprising upset over the Chiefs.
Panthers vs Falcons
At first glance, this is just a game between two teams that had a losing record last season. However, it’s also an important Week 1 battle in a wide-open NFC South. This game will also be the NFL debut of first-overall pick Bryce Young, who leads Carolina. Meanwhile, the Falcons have their own young quarterback in Desmond Ridder. He will hope to hit the ground running in his first full season as a starting quarterback.
Eagles vs Patriots
After losing a close game in the Super Bowl last year, the Eagles have sky-high expectations in 2023. They are expecting another MVP-caliber season from Jalen Hurts. However, the Eagles are opening the season with a tough matchup in New England. Granted, the Patriots face plenty of questions heading into the season themselves. But they typically have a strong defense, giving the Eagles a tricky season opener.
Dolphins vs Chargers
While this game doesn’t stick out from a rivalry standpoint, it will feature two of the best young quarterbacks in the league. Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa is hoping to put last year’s concussions behind him and prove that he can stay healthy for a full season and make the Dolphins a contender in the AFC. On the other side, Justin Herbert is now the highest-paid player in the league. While his numbers are undeniable, he’s only led the Chargers to the playoffs once in his three seasons. He’ll be under some pressure to live up to that contract and start leading the Chargers to more wins in 2023.
Cowboys vs Giants
This rivalry is usually must-see TV, which is why the NFL has scheduled it for the Sunday night primetime game in Week 1. Both teams made the playoffs last year and will be eager to make an early statement this season. After Daniel Jones signed a huge contract during the offseason, a lot of eyes will be on him to see if he can take another step forward. Plus, there are always eyes on Dak Prescott to see if he can elevate his game or hurt his team with mistakes.
Bills vs Jets
The only downside to Week 1 is that fans will have to wait until Monday night to see Aaron Rodgers make his debut with the Jets. However, it should be worth the wait with the Jets opening up the season against the Bills in a fierce rivalry game. Obviously, the expectations are high for the Jets now that they have Rodgers at the helm. But Buffalo also has Super Bowl aspirations behind MVP candidate Josh Allen. The race in the AFC East could be a tight one this year, adding to the importance of this Week 1 matchup.