The NFL schedule is formally right here, the time to mark your calendars for fall 2023 Sundays arriving.
If you’re a fan not solely of your workforce but additionally of nice competitors, the place do you have to begin — and the place do you have to not trouble wanting?
Yahoo Sports has you lined, from intriguing matchups to main schedule takeaways. Here’s what you’ll need to know:
Beware the AFC quarterbacks
As the AFC has turn into more and more stacked at quarterback in recent times, an inflow of star-studded face-offs await. Aaron Rodgers becoming a member of the New York Jets is simply the newest splash for a quarterback-loaded convention. Rodgers and the Jets open their season Sept. 11 on Monday Night Football towards Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills; host Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 1; and host Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 6.
Perhaps the highest-priced ticket to anticipate: Rodgers and the Jets’ go to to face the Cowboys and Rodgers’ 13-year head coach Mike McCarthy, a Sept. 17 season debut for the stadium Jerry Jones constructed. And the matchup which each groups hope previews the Super Bowl: an Oct. 15 welcome to the Philadelphia Eagles.
On his first day of labor in Florham Park, Rodgers stated the Jets’ Super Bowl III trophy regarded lonely. Expect the nearly-40-year-old quarterback and his squad to be battle-tested within the common season alongside the pursuit for extra metallic.
Lamar, OBJ and Co. will check vs. one of the best
Now that Lamar Jackson is again within the fold and the Ravens have improved his supporting forged, a number of video games will enable them to check their potential within the common season. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Ravens’ season now not touts the intrigue of how quarterback Lamar Jackson will carry out in a franchise-tag 12 months — or, as was a severe query, whether or not Jackson would carry out in any respect. As the long-term deal erases lingering discord, as an alternative buckle up for what has the prospect to be probably the most explosive air assault for the reason that Ravens drafted Jackson in 2018. As the Ravens encompass Jackson with new weapons, together with veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie first-round receiver Zay Flowers, Jackson’s downfield choices ought to meaningfully broaden. Division matchups with the AFC powerhouse Cincinnati Bengals (Sept. 17 in Cincinnati, Nov. 16 on Thursday Night Football in Baltimore) can be each related to postseason standings and an opportunity to check first-year coordinator Todd Monken’s mettle towards a reigning top-five scoring protection. A Dec. 25 go to to the 2022’s high protection within the San Francisco 49ers will equally make clear the Ravens’ potential … and whether or not their Christmas needs are coming true.
An underrated set of petty matchups in your leisure: the home-and-away sequence towards the Cleveland Browns and Deshaun Watson, in Cleveland on Oct. 1 and at Baltimore on Nov 12. Bonus factors for those who can inform us which of those quarterbacks’ contracts is totally assured.
Most grudge matches should wait
Who doesn’t love a sentimental homecoming and the nostalgia it brings? We want we may inform you when Rodgers is taking part in towards his franchise of 18 years, the Green Bay Packers; when now-Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is returning to his dwelling of 15 years, the New Orleans Saints. We’d even accept Saints quarterback Derek Carr going through the Las Vegas Raiders, Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo going through the San Francisco 49ers, or Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield going through the Browns, who drafted him first general in 2018. But sadly, the NFL calendar wizards solely determine when groups play, not towards whom they play. The slate derived from division, convention and playoff-seeding implications doesn’t align as compellingly for grudge matches this 12 months because it did final 12 months, once we did not have to attend for the awkward Russell Wilson return to the Seahawks workforce from which he had cut up acrimoniously. In truth, the NFL gave us that deal with final 12 months in Week 1.
Perhaps probably the most fascinating return is Watson’s Christmas Eve go to to the Houston Texans. He and the Browns did already play in Houston final season throughout his first contest again after an 11-game suspension stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct. The groups’ 2023 matchup ought to look drastically completely different: Watson’s stage of play will extra possible mirror whether or not he can reclaim the Pro Bowl caliber he flashed to start his profession. And the Texans will discipline a lot of the draft haul accrued from buying and selling him to Cleveland, together with the 2023 No. 2 and No. 3 general picks in quarterback C.J. Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. The Texans shouldn’t peak in head coach DeMeco Ryans’ first season — however going through Watson is an opportunity to point out followers the steps they’re taking ahead amid a reminder of what set them again.
Tale of the 2023 class tape
You most likely haven’t but recovered from 2023 draft debates, together with the preferred: Which quarterback this 12 months will most succeed within the NFL? History tells us a few of the first-round picks will bust. Until then, we’ll eagerly await the performances of Carolina Panthers No. 1 general decide Bryce Young, Stroud and Indianapolis Colts No. 4 general decide Anthony Richardson. Will Levis, whom many anticipated to go within the first spherical earlier than the Tennessee Titans in the end grabbed him at 33, additionally carries intrigue.
Houston’s C.J. Stroud is one in all a number of rookie quarterbacks who determine to play early and draw lots of consideration. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
All 4 QBs’ groups play every of the opposite three. Here’s when:
Sept. 17: Colts at Texans
Oct. 8: Titans at Colts
Oct. 29: Texans at Panthers
Nov. 5: Colts at Panthers
Nov. 26: Panthers at Titans
Dec. 3: Colts at Titans
Dec. 17: Texans at Titans
Dec. 31: Titans at Texans
Week 18, TBD: Texans at Colts
While we all know quarterbacks don’t really face one another on the sphere on the identical time, it will likely be enjoyable to gauge rookies’ progress and picture their potential when every of their groups face off. Young, Stroud and Richardson will possible begin this season. Veteran Ryan Tannehill is anticipated to start out for Tennessee, but when Levis impresses early, stranger issues have occurred than the Titans opting to line him up … particularly with the Titans’ 4 video games vs. rookie QBs falling so late within the season.
Revenge is sweetest … after postseason elimination?
Some rematches of 2022 postseason video games had been sure to reach between division opponents: assume Bills-Dolphins, Bengals-Ravens and Eagles-Giants.
But they’re removed from the one regular-season rematches of the newest playoff slate. Ten of 13 playoff head-to-heads will reconvene in the course of the 2023 common season, together with each matchup we noticed within the divisional spherical, convention championship and Super Bowl. The Eagles, Bengals and Jaguars will every have an opportunity to avenge their elimination by the hands of the Chiefs. The 49ers and Giants will look to show they’re higher than the Eagles’ 24- and 31-point blowout victories, respectively, recommended. (Deebo Samuel has his suspicions.)
Can Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence inch nearer towards the stratosphere of Patrick Mahomes when the playmakers face off? How completely different will the Ravens look towards the Bengals with Lamar Jackson again within the fold? You can tune in to search out that out on the next dates:
Eagles: Dec. 3 vs. 49ers, Dec. 25 vs. Giants and Week 18 (date TBD) at Giants
Chiefs: Sept. 17 at Jaguars, Nov. 20 vs. Eagles, Dec. 31 vs. Bengals
And don’t neglect: NFL historical past tells us a minimum of a handful of those groups will stumble this 12 months, the league parity mechanisms clearing the trail for a brand new set of contenders. By the time these matchups arrive, what number of of 2022’s princes will even nonetheless be in postseason rivalry?
