With what is the equivalent of an early Christmas gift to fans in the 2023 NFL schedule release, fans, teams and players now know where they will be playing, when and most importantly who. That being said, travel plans are already being made by all parties.
Below is INSCMagazine’s top ten best matchups picked by us and our partners at Sideline Sports and Geary, Stein and Stephens.
Enjoy!
1.) Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Week 11): In what was a classic Super Bowl, these two teams highlight what may be a special season and growing rivalry. The shared history of former coach Dick Vermeil, plus some unfinished business from a revamped Eagles squad marching into Arrowhead should make some some fireworks.
2.) Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Week 17): Let’s call this the Burrowhead Rivalry Game. While Cincinnati is the one team that seems to have the Chiefs number, Kansas City came through when it counted and added another Lombardi. Joe Burrow vs. Patrick Mahomes is the new Manning-Brady rivalry of our time.
3.) Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets (Week 1): The debut of the Aaron Rodgers era in Gotham on 9/11 is not lost by many at all, in what will be a highly charged and intense atmosphere at Met Life. You have a determined Bills team that fell short vs. Cincinnati and an MVP candidate in Josh Allen going head to head vs one of the all-time greats in a prime-time classic.
4.) Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets (Black Friday): With the NFL proving to be the master’s of market and scheduling once again, The Shield flexes their muscle in pairing two longtime AFC East rivals in their first-ever Black Friday game. Not quite the ol’ Ken O’Brien-Dan Marino shootouts of yesteryear, A-Rod vs. Tua should prove to be a dandy!
5.) New York Jets vs. New York Giants (Week 8): Yes! This is higher up than a lot of the other games, but when is the last time you hear and see BOTH NYC-area teams in the spotlight as playoff contenders at the same time? You have Aaron Rodgers vs. Daniel Jones going head-to-head in the NFL’s home base and largest media market. The ratings are going to be F-I-R-E!
6.) Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Week 9): The Game That Was Never Finished. With the shocked near-death of Damar Hamlin and the cancellation of last year’s pivotal game, this year, it’ll be in the same place with the same two teams, who would both be in the middle of the playoffs.
7.) Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Week 1): What many once thought was a mistake by the Dolphins is selecting Tua Tagovailoa over Justin Herbert is beginning to shift. While there are some lingering concussion concerns over Tagovaila, no one can overlook a breakout year for the former Alabama QB. If Tua can stay healthy, then Miami is a legit Super Bowl contender.
For the Chargers, this may be it for embattled head coach Brandon Staley, who needs Herbert and his high-powered offense to come out of the gate hot in a loaded QB division that has Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Jimmy Garrapolo
8.) San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Week 13): Jalen Hurts vs. Brock Purdy—or Trey Lance?—Guess we will find out in this NFC title game rematch back in Philly.
9.) Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys (Weeks 9 and 14): Both teams don’t like each other. Both fan bases loathe each other. Both have a long-standing grudge and unbridled hate for the other. Eagles-Cowboys is the NFL’s ultimate version of petty with some WWE drama and flair. Let’s go!
10.) Houston Texans vs. Carolina Panthers (Week 8): Bryce Young vs. CJ Stroud. Both former rivals from SoCal. Both Heisman Trophy finalists and now both are faces of their own franchises. Forever linked as 1-2 in their draft class.