As the adrenaline and anticipation build up for the 2023 NFL season, fans are eagerly tuning in to Kickoff Weekend. All 32 clubs are set to begin their journey, with visions of Super Bowl LVII in sight. As teams gear up to hit the field, here are some noteworthy insights and matchups to watch out for.
Divisional Showdowns:
The season kicks off with some exciting divisional matchups. One of the headline games is Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants on Sunday Night Football. This is followed by Buffalo Bills taking on the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
Interestingly, the DAL-NYG clash is one of the three Week 1 games featuring 2022 playoff teams.
Quarterback Shakeups:
This season, fans will witness several teams with new starting quarterbacks compared to Week 1 of the 2022 season. This includes all four clubs in the NFC South. It’s the first time since 2002 that four teams from the same division will commence the season with different starting quarterbacks than they did the previous year.
Super Bowl Rematches:
The 2023 NFL schedule has two Super Bowl rematches. One to look forward to in Week 1 is the Philadelphia Eagles visiting the New England Patriots, revisiting the battles of Super Bowls XXXIX and LII.
In honour of Kickoff Weekend, the Patriots plan to celebrate the NFL’s all-time leading passer, Tom Brady.
Rookie and ‘Sophomore’ QBs Under Spotlight:
Several teams will feature quarterbacks with fewer than 10 career starts, including at least six who were drafted in the last two years. Notably, Green Bay’s Jordan Love and Washington’s Sam Howell are both expected to make their second career starts.
Dominant Defensive Records:
Since 2013, there have been 38 games in which a team hasn’t allowed a sack in Week 1. Teams have impressively posted a record of 28-10 in these games. Notably, on past Kickoff Weekends, the Buccaneers, Cowboys, and Raiders have recorded wins without allowing a single sack.
Elite Defensive Players to Watch:
As we step into the 2023 season, there are players who have achieved the remarkable feat of recording at least 100 career sacks. Among them are Aaron Donald with 103 sacks and Cameron Jordan with 115.5 – both of whom remain with their original drafted teams.
Both Von Miller (123.5 sacks) and Chandler Jones (112 sacks) are entering their second year with their third respective teams.
Watch out for Justin Houston, who, with 111.5 sacks, will be making his debut for Carolina, and Calais Campbell, who with 99 sacks, is just one sack away from joining the 100-sack club in his Falcons debut.
As all 32 teams embark on the 2023 NFL season, the hopes are high, and the stakes are even higher. From intriguing matchups to individual milestones, this season promises a number of exciting moments. It’s time to buckle up and enjoy the action-packed journey to Super Bowl LVII!