All eyes in Kansas City, maybe on Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, but Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff (pictured) is looking to make an impact in Week 1
(Philadelphia, Pa) –The 104th NFL season begins on Thursday night with the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs taking on the upstart Detroit Lions. The game marks the official kick-off of America’s favorite sport including a concert by Grammy Winners and fireworks. All the hoopla will signal a new beginning for the sport that everyone is watching — In 2022, NFL games averaged 16.7 million viewers. Everyone is ready as the 2023 Hall of Fame Game (first preseason game) between the New York Jets vs Cleveland Browns recently drew one of its largest audiences in years. NBC announced that the game averaged 6.3 million viewers which is the most since 2018. Coming off another year of record-breaking revenue for the NFL, the 2023 season is looking even more promising.
Week one in the NFL is almost at a holiday level as football fans everywhere finally quench their thirst for “real” game action. Though the NFL is now a year-round league filled with offseason viewing activities, nothing gets fans going to the point of delirium like the Kickoff Weekend of the season. I am not sure if it is the arduous 7-month long wait for real games, the once a week high, the boredom of baseball, the talented athletes, the “every game counts” subplots, the autumn weather, team allegiance, trash-talking, fantasy football, the dreaded g-word (gambling), fantasy football, or any other thing else. But we all know that the NFL is truly “America’s Game”. Fridays in Corporate America offices are now wear your NFL team’s colors to work as co-workers have fun jabbing at each other over who’s team is better and making plans for where and how they will celebrate America’s Passion each weekend until February brings the curtain down on the season.
Week one sets the tone for the entire season – in 2022, ten of the eventual 14 playoff teams (KC, PHI, SEA, NYG, MIN, LAC, BAL, MIA, BUF, TB) were winners in week one. Recently retired future Hall of Fame QB Tom Brady said of the 2023 season’s kickoff, “I’m excited”. The 7-time Super Bowl winner added that he really wanted to see how newly minted New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers can do with his new Gang Green squad. In talking about this season’s biggest offseason trade story Brady said of Rodgers, “He’ll be invigorated. I know he has been engaged in the offseason, which is always great, and really trying to connect with his teammates.” Brady added, “So I’m excited to see what he does. They have a really good team. They have a really good offense. And, you know, how Aaron’s been, when he’s got good receivers, man, it’s pretty dangerous. … I think he’s gonna have a great year.”
Every team and fan has a clean slate going into week one and remember unpredictability and parity rule in the NFL. Entering the final day of the 2022 season, 19 teams remained in Super Bowl contention, more than any year since there were 20 in 2006. So don’t even think about missing a week of NFL action. Everyone’s goal is Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Nevada so it is now time for teams to fulfill their promise or fall behind the pack.
We all know the goal of reaching the Super Bowl is hanging in the balance, but there are some distinct trends that everyone needs to keep an eye on this week.
Passing, Passing, and more Passing – I am a smash-mouth run the football kinda guy, but NFL teams are looking to chuck it more than ever. Last season, 9 quarterbacks threw for more than 4,000 yards, the most in a season in league history, including MVP Patrick Mahomes who threw for over 5,000 passing yards (5250)
Pressure, Pressure, and More Pressure – The Eagles led by Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon (now Arizona Cardinals head coach) and pass rusher Hasaan Reddick (16.5 sacks in 2022) had an amazing league-leading 70 sacks on the way to an NFC Championship and a Super Bowl appearance. They specialized in getting pressure from many “fresh” fastball players — four different players with 10+ sacks, most in NFL history.
Multiple RB’s splitting workloads – Every team is now looking for at least two strong running backs on their roster to keep defensive coordinators guessing. Some teams may go with a “big” back and a speed back like the Eagles (Rashaad Penny and D’Andre Swift). But one thing is evident you need two guys because teams can fill more vital characteristics (inside power runs, match-ups, mismatches, hands, blitz pickup, etc). By splitting carries running backs are more healthy and fresh. Think of the Super Bowl LVII where the Chiefs utilized Isiah Pacheco (15 rushes 76 yards, 1 TD, 4 FDs) and Jerrick McKinnon (4 rushes, 34 yards, 3 rec) in their 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
This week features eight divisional match-ups right off the bat. The marquee divisional battle will occur on Monday Night Football as the Buffalo Bills will travel to MetLife stadium to take on the host New York Jets. This matchup will feature J-E-T-S regular season debut for former Packers legend quarterback Aaron Rodgers as he faces off with MVP candidate Josh Allen and perennial division champion Buffalo Bills. It will be real interesting to see #8 in Jets green instead of the Green and Gold of the Packers.
Before I move onto Week 1, I wanted to acknowledge my colleague Gil Brandt (NFL’s Godfather and Walking Encyclopedia) who recently passed away at the age of 91. Everyone knows the NFL family was shaken by his death and the league will honor the cornerstone contributor throughout the ’23 season. Rest in Peace to a true football architect and historian.
Well the wait is finally over and here’s wishing that everyone’s NFL dreams for 2023 come true. But my advice is to just enjoy the splendor of the NFL every weekend as February ’24 will be here before we all know it.
NFL 2023 Week 1 Schedule
Thursday, September 7
Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 p.m., NBC
Sunday, September 10
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., CBS
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m., CBS
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m., Fox
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., CBS
Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m., CBS
Arizona Cardinals at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m., Fox
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m., Fox
San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., Fox
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Monday, September 11
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Lloyd Vance is the Editor for Taking It to the House and an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). Lloyd can be reached on Twitter (@lloydvance)
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