The NFL schedule 2023 season is one of the most anticipated events for football fans. The schedule determines which teams will play each other, when and where they will play, and how many prime-time games they will get. The NFL schedule also affects the playoff picture, the fantasy football rankings, and the betting odds.
But when does the NFL schedule come out? How does the NFL schedule work? And what’s the NFL schedule today? Here are some answers to these common questions.
When does the 2023 NFL Schedule Come Out?
The NFL usually releases the official schedule for the upcoming season in mid-April, about a week before the NFL draft. However, some details of the schedule may leak out earlier, such as the opponents for each team, the international games, and some marquee matchups.
The 2023 NFL schedule is expected to come out around April 15th, 2023. You can check the official website of the NFL or your favorite team for updates and announcements.
Is the NFL schedule out for 2023? Not yet, but you can get a sneak peek of some of the potential matchups for 2023 by looking at the opponents for each team.
How Does the NFL Schedule Work?
The NFL schedule is based on a formula that ensures a balanced and fair competition for all 32 teams. Each team plays 17 regular-season games over 18 weeks, with one bye week. The 17th game was added in 2021 as part of the new collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the players’ union.
The NFL schedule is divided into four categories:
- Division games: Each team plays six games against its three division rivals, one at home and one on the road.
- Conference games: Each team plays four games against another division in its own conference, two at home and two on the road. The division matchups rotate every year.
- Interconference games: Each team plays four games against a division in the opposite conference, two at home and two on the road. The interconference matchups also rotate every year.
- Extra game: Each team plays one game against a team from the opposite conference that finished in the same position in their division in the previous season. The extra game is hosted by the conference that had fewer home games in the previous season.
How does the NFL schedule work for different teams? For example, let’s look at how the NFL schedule works for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023:
- Division games: The Cowboys play six games against their NFC East rivals: Washington Football Team, New York Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles.
- Conference games: The Cowboys play four games against the NFC North division: Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions.
- Interconference games: The Cowboys play four games against the AFC South division: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Extra game: The Cowboys play one game against the Denver Broncos, who finished fourth in the AFC West in 2022.
What’s the NFL Schedule Today?
The NFL schedule today is not available yet, as it is still being finalized by the league. However, you can get a sneak peek of some of the potential matchups for 2023 by looking at the opponents for each team.
Here are some of the possible highlights of the NFL 2023 schedule:
- Super Bowl rematch: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs will face each other again in 2023, as they are both scheduled to play against the NFC South and AFC West divisions respectively.
- Rookie showdown: The Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets will clash in 2023, featuring two of the top quarterbacks from the 2021 draft class: Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson.
- London calling: The NFL will continue to expand its international presence in 2023, with four games expected to be played in London. The teams that will travel across the pond are not confirmed yet, but some of the candidates are: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans.
- Thanksgiving feast: The traditional Thanksgiving Day games will feature three matchups involving six teams from different divisions. The Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys will host their annual games, while a third game will be determined by the league.
NFL Sunday Schedule
The NFL Sunday schedule is the main attraction for most football fans. Every Sunday during the regular season (except for Week 18), there are usually 12 or 13 games played across three time slots: Early afternoon (1 p.m. ET). Late afternoon (4 p.m. ET). And night (8 p.m. ET.)
The early afternoon games are usually broadcasted by CBS or FOX, depending on which conference is hosting. The late afternoon games are also split between CBS and FOX, but with fewer options.
The night game is the most anticipated one, as it is the only game on at that time and it usually features two of the best teams in the league. The night game is broadcasted by NBC and it is called Sunday Night Football.
The NFL Sunday schedule also includes some special occasions, such as:
- Kickoff game: The first game of the season, played on a Thursday night, featuring the defending Super Bowl champions and another contender.
- International series: One or two games played in London on a Sunday morning (9:30 a.m. ET), as part of the NFL’s global expansion.
- Doubleheader: Two games played back-to-back on a Monday night, usually in Week 1 and Week 18, to maximize the exposure and excitement of the season opener and finale.
- Flex scheduling: A feature that allows the league to change the time or network of some games in Weeks 5 to 17, to ensure that the most appealing matchups are shown to a national audience.
The NFL Sunday schedule for 2023 will be released along with the rest of the schedule in mid-April. You can check the official website of the NFL or your favorite team for updates and announcements.
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