The National Football League (NFL) always likes to make a big production out of everything it does, and that was the case when releasing the 2023 NFL schedule analysis. The league allowed different stations or shows to leak individual games throughout the week before finally unveiling the entire slate of games.
Now that all the NFL games are set, some early NFL schedule analysis can take place. There are a few things that jump off of the page right away, while some other interesting facts are harder to find.
Here is a look at some aspects of the 2023 NFL schedule that should stick out right away.
Interesting Week 1 Matchups
The best place to start your NFL schedule analysis is in Week 1, as every team will be trying to get the season started off on the right foot. The NFL wants to build some intrigue right away, and they have created some interesting and exciting Week 1 matchups.
Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The two NFL teams that are set to kick off the season in 2023 are the Detroit Lions visiting Patrick Mahomes, and the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s tradition to have the defending champions host on Thursday night in Week 1, and that honor goes to the Chiefs.
Detroit is a team that doesn’t typically get many primetime games, but they will be getting that chance to begin the season. The NFL odds for this game have the Chiefs as seven-point favorites, but that will change leading up to kickoff.
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
The Green Bay Packers visit the Chicago Bears in Week 1, and this is one of the best rivalries in football. The NFL standings in the NFC North Division are expected to be wide open this season, and that will give the winner of this game a huge head start.
New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills
Former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will begin his New York Jets career by hosting the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. Rodgers is a player that always seems to shine on the brightest stage, but he will be facing one of the best teams in the league.
Of course, you don’t have to wait until Week 1 to get in on the action, though, as making NFL Preseason prop bets is an option as well.
International Games Set
There is a pretty big slate of international games set to take place in 2023, and those are always games that are popular when making NFL picks. Fans of teams have started to enjoy when their team goes abroad as it gives them a chance to follow their teams to a different country.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Jacksonville Jaguars will actually play back-to-back international games beginning in Week 4, and that’s a first for an NFL team. Jacksonville will take on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 and then turn around and play the Buffalo Bills in Week 5.
Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Tennessee Titans will take on the Baltimore Ravens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Week 6, and that will wrap up the games in London in 2023. Germany will be the host country for a pair of games this season as well, and there are some great matchups coming to Frankfurt.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins
It will be the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Miami Dolphins in the first game in Germany, and that should be a battle. The following week the New England Patriots will battle the Indianapolis Colts in a big game in the AFC.
League Has More Power
Doing some NFL schedule analysis for the upcoming 2023 season can be a bit tricky, as the league now has more power than ever. The schedule can actually change throughout the season, at least when it comes to dates and times that games are played.
Starting in Week 5, the league can flex teams in and out of Thursday Night Football, and it could create all sorts of problems for teams and fans. The goal for the league is to have better TNF matchups, but it’s going to be a nightmare in terms of logistics.
You should expect the league to have the best games in primetime all season long, and that could mean it’s the same teams playing in those slots. Getting off to a good start in 2023 will allow teams to play in front of a national audience more often.
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