At long last, the wait is over, and the 2023 NFL season is nearly upon us. The only thing now between us and regular-season action is Tuesday’s roster cutdown day. When does the NFL season start, how long does it run, and what games can we look forward to in Week 1?
When Does the 2023 NFL Season Start?
The 2023 NFL season will officially begin on Thursday, Sept. 7, at 8:20 p.m. ET when the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs play host the Detroit Lions for the NFL’s annual opening Thursday night contest.
Week 1 of the regular season will continue for the rest of the other 30 teams on Sunday, Sept. 10, with eight games in the early slate and five in the late slate. The first week will then wrap up on Monday, Sept. 11, with a clash between division rivals the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets which serve as an exclamation point for Week 1 with a heavyweight bout for the season’s first edition of Monday Night Football.
The NFL year will consist of an 18-week regular-season schedule that will conclude the weekend of Jan. 7-8, 2024, before the playoffs will commence the following week.
The first round of the playoffs, known as Wild Card Weekend, will take place Jan. 13-15, followed by the Divisional Round on Jan. 20-21. The AFC and NFC Championship Games are scheduled for Jan. 21, while a champion will be crowned at Super Bowl 58 in Paradise, Nevada, on Feb. 11, 2024.
2023 NFL Season | Week 1 Preview
Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes — the reigning league and Super Bowl MVP — and his Chiefs will open the season defending their title in hopes of starting their quest to go back-to-back on Opening Night.
Meanwhile, the Lions are getting buzz around the league as a team of intrigue. They’re now the betting favorites in the NFC North and hope to enter the postseason for the first time since 2016.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
The Panthers and Falcons will clash in an NFC South battle that will feature two young quarterbacks on the rise. No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young will make his first start for Carolina, while Desmond Ridder — who made four appearances at the end of the 2022 campaign — will begin his first full campaign as the Falcons’ starter, giving us a preview of the league’s future under center.
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
With Lamar Jackson back healthy and under a long-term contract, the Ravens are poised to bounce back from last year’s playoff exit and re-establish themselves as a legitimate AFC threat.
Texans fans will get their first real look at No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud, whom Houston is hoping will be the franchise’s hope to future success sooner rather than later.
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
The indication is that Joe Burrow should be ready for Week 1 after suffering a calf strain during training camp. The Bengals will attempt to reach their third consecutive AFC title game in 2023, but they’ll have to begin by getting past an intriguing and talented Browns team, who have given Burrow trouble in the past.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
The Jaguars are the clear favorites in the AFC South, and Trevor Lawernce could ascend to elite status next season.
MORE: Where Is Jonathan Taylor Playing This Season?
However, all eyes might be on the Colts’ exciting rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson in Week 1. A big situation looms large as well…will Jonathan Taylor be on the field for Indy?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings
The post-Tom Brady era is officially underway for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield won the QB1 competition and will lead the Bucs out to face the Vikings in Week 1.
Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins and company will try to return to the playoffs after riding a string of one-score victories to a 13-win season in 2022.
Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints
2023 could very well be a rebuilding year for the Titans, but their defense (and Mike Vrabel’s competitive streak) might mean they stay competitive throughout.
The Saints and new quarterback Derek Carr, on the other hand, will try to start the season off with a win and stay ahead of their NFC South competition.
San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenny Pickett and the Steelers played much better over the second half of the 2022 campaign, which has people excited for Pittsburgh. However, they have a tough deal out the gate in Week 1.
The 49ers boast one of the NFL’s best defenses (even after losing DeMeco Ryans), and Brock Purdy appears good to go in Week 1 after suffering a torn UCL in the NFC title game.
Arizona Cardinals at Washington Commanders
A new Commanders era will officially begin Week 1 when two of the organization’s most critical positions — owner and quarterback — will be filled by new faces in Josh Harris and Sam Howell, officially allowing them to turn the page.
MORE: Are the Cardinals Preparing for Life Without Kyler Murray?
The Cardinals are already looking toward the future, as they probably won’t have Kyler Murray (ACL), leading to a Colt McCoy or even a newly added Josh Dobbs start.
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
For the first time since 2007, Aaron Rodgers will not start for the Packers in Week 1.
Jordan Love will usher in a new era of football in Green Bay and will face the division-rival Bears during the NFL’s opening weekend. Will Justin Fields take a step forward now that DJ Moore is part of Chicago’s revamped wide receiver corps?
Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos
Sean Payton and Russell Wilson will get their first chance to hit the ground running against what projects to be a poor Raiders defense in Week 1. Meanwhile, Josh Jacobs is back in the fold, and Vegas hopes they have enough to be competitive in 2023.
Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers held Tua Tagovailoa and Co. in check when these two teams met last December, but Week 1 could be a totally different story. Miami and Los Angeles are both fully expected to be good in the AFC and challenge for playoff spots in 2023. This may be one of the better games of the Week 1 slate.
Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots
The Eagles nearly came out victorious in last season’s Super Bowl, but they didn’t, and now their reward will be facing one of the NFL’s best defenses in Week 1. Philadelphia has new coordinators on both sides of the ball as they aim to defend their NFC crown and try to get back to the big game once again.
Mac Jones and the rest of the Patriots’ offense, on the other hand, will try to right the ship after a tough 2022 showing.
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
After flirting with retirement, Sean McVay is back with the Rams, and while the offense could keep them in some games, L.A. might field the most question-mark-filled defense in the NFL.
The Seahawks are on the rise, and QB Geno Smith will look to match the 2022 production that allowed him to win Comeback Player of the Year.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
Sunday Night Football kicks off with two rival teams that made the playoffs in 2022.
The Cowboys are searching for their first Super Bowl title in nearly 30 years while boasting their most complete roster in years. Meanwhile, the Giants will try to build off an impressive campaign that surprised many observers with their Divisional Round appearance.
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
The Bills and Jets will conclude Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season with an AFC East clash on Monday night. Buffalo looks like a Super Bowl contender yet again, but Aaron Rodgers’ debut in New York will undoubtedly be the storyline of this game.
Which team will get off on the right foot on their way to AFC East supremacy?
