2023 NFL Schedule Leaks: Latest Rumors Ahead of Official Release

Kristopher KnoxMay 11, 2023

If there was any question about the size and reach of the NFL, consider this: The NHL and NBA playoffs are underway, and the MLB regular season is in full swing. Yet, the mere release of the NFL's 2023 schedule is an event that many fans will tune in to see unfold.

The full schedule won't be unveiled until 8 p.m. ET—with release shows airing on both NFL Network and ESPN—but the league has done an excellent job of releasing nuggets and building excitement.

On Wednesday, the slate of 2023 international games was released.

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It's an interesting schedule, one that features the Jacksonville Jaguars playing back-to-back games in England. With the Jags playing in London annually, this may give them a sort of home-away-from-home advantage.

Fans in Tottenham will get to see the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Josh Allen, Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson in back-to-back weeks. In Week 9, German fans will get a firsthand look at the defending Super Bowl champs and Patrick Mahomes.

Speaking of the Kansas City Chiefs, we know that the defending champs will kick off the regular season on a Thursday night, as has become a tradition. The NFL announced on Thursday morning that Kansas City will open the season against the Detroit Lions.

The Chiefs are also set to battle Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals on New Year's Eve.

This means we should get a Bengals-Chiefs thriller with plenty of playoff implications in Week 17, making this a fantastic penultimate game for both title contenders. Fans should get another game between playoff contenders on the day after Thanksgiving.

This will be, of course, a rematch of the last two AFC title games. One interesting aspect of the 2023 schedule is that it will feature 14 rematches from the 2023 playoffs—including the Super Bowl and both conference championship games. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, that's the most rematches from the previous postseason in NFL history.

The NFL also announced on Wednesday that the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets will face off in the first-ever Black Friday game. Additionally, we'll have an NFC East showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants on Christmas Day:

On Thursday morning, the NFL announced that the Chiefs will play the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas. This means both reigning conference champions will be in action against divisional opponents.

The Black Friday game will be only one of several nationally-televised games for the Jets and new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The NFL announced on Thursday that the Jets and Buffalo Bills will kick off Monday Night Football in Week 1.

We should see the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions the day before, as those two teams traditionally host the first two games of the Thanksgiving slate.

For what it's worth, the Jets will play the Cowboys on the road this season.

While we don't yet know Dallas' opponent for Thanksgiving, the Cowboys are rumored to kick off the Sunday Night Football schedule against the rival New York Giants—according to Brandon Tierney of WFAN.

The Cowboys will face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football in Week 5, according to the NFL.

Per Tierney, the Giants will also host the Jets in Week 8:

According to Zach Klein of WSB Atlanta, the Atlanta Falcons will host the rival Carolina Panthers in Week 1 as well. This should give fans a fantastic early look at Panthers quarterback and first-overall pick Bryce Young, along with Falcons running back and No. 8 pick Bijan Robinson.

The Green Bay Packers will open the season against the Chicago Bears, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. Per Schneidman, the entire Green Bay schedule has been leaked.

While not every game has been confirmed or formally announced, here's how all the spoilers and leaks look in a schedule format.

NFL 2023 Schedule Leaks and Rumors

Week 1

Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets

Week 2

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons

Week 3

New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers