NFL Games That Matter This Weekend

NFL games today that matter in 2023 are Cowboys vs. Eagles, Giants vs. Eagles, Browns Vs. Steelers, and Bears vs. Packers.

The excitement of the 2023 campaign is all over the place as the preseason concluded recently on 27th August, where Houston Texans emerged victorious over New Orleans Saints by 17-13.

The NFL Kickoff game is slated for September 7 between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. It will be televised on NBC at 8.15 pm.

The defending champions are favorites with a 6.5-point spread for the opening fixture.

Cowboys vs. Eagles

The Cowboys will contest against the Eagles for the 129th time on the 5th of November and for the 130th time on the 10th of December.

One of the longest rivalries of football was initiated in 1960. The Cowboys hold an upper hand with 73 wins over the Eagles 55 wins.

Last year, each won one. The Cowboys won by 40-34 in their first encounter, while the Eagles took revenge in a 26-17 thriller.

Both contest for the NFC East title and possibly the top seed in the conference.

Giants vs. Eagles

The Eagles-Giants rivalry accounts for another fierce competition in the NFC conference.

The two will meet in 2023’s Christmas. The Eagles will host the Giants.

The team from New York would like to pay back the Giants for the 2022 NFC Divisional Playoff defeat.

Jalen Hurts and company successfully ran against their division rivals, winning both regular season games by 22-16 and 48-22. Looking at the current lineup, the Eagles might take the win tally to 95 in 2023.

Browns vs. Steelers

The Cleveland Browns will play the Pittsburgh Steelers twice within a month, on September 18 and November 19.

The AFC North contest dates back to 1950 when they first battled out. The Browns won by 30-17.

In 143 matches, the Steelers hold the all-time series record of 80-62-1. Their biggest win was 43-0 in 1999.

On paper, both look identical. The tight AFC North will see plenty of ups and downs this year.

It wouldn’t be a great surprise if one of the two took the second spot at the end of the season.

Bears vs. Packers

As NFC North rivals, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers have played 206 games against each other, the most in the league.

It all began in 1921. The Packers have won 105 contests, while the Bears have managed to win 95. Meanwhile, 6 of them ended in a draw.

Jordan Love-driven Packers against Justin Fields-led Bears will display the growth of these young QBs. We will see how deep these two youngsters can take their teams in the season.

Some other exciting matches that are certain to keep everyone on the edge of their seats are:

• Eagles at Chiefs – 20th November (Super Bowl LVII recap)
• 49ers at Eagles – 3rd December (NFC Championship recap)
• Bengals at Chiefs – 31st December (AFC Championship recap)

NFL games that matter Week 17 involve the New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns on 28th December. It can decide their playoff positions.

The AFC East vs. AFC North battle would be crucial for the Jets, who will be eyeing to get to the postseason. They played their last playoff in 2010.

With Aaron Rodgers’ arrival, the side looks promising and threatens to hit a long run in 2023. They are expected to finish 9-8, which can be the make-or-break game of the season for the team from the Big Apple.

Meanwhile, the Browns are predicted to finish 11-6. It means they would win the AFC North over the Bengals and the Ravens.

But, it does not mean they can play relaxed. They will be pressured to finish the season strong and reach the playoffs.

NFL games that matter in week 17 also consist of these collisions:

Bengals at Chiefs

The revisit of the 2022 AFC Championship match is scheduled for 31st December at 4:25 PM.

The Bengals, who won the AFC North with a 12-4 record, have dropped some positions for the Super Bowl contention. They are projected for a 10-7 season.

The AFC North is one of the toughest divisions for the new season, and winning against the top dogs like the Chiefs will help stabilize their position and hopefully help them qualify for the postseason.

On the other hand, Kansas is once again considered the favorite with +600 odds. They will probably finish the campaign as AFC’s top seed with a 12-5 or better result.

Dolphins at Ravens

Another AFC East vs. North battle is sure to produce a thriller. It will be a game of survival and the action of two teams for the playoff spot.

Miami was 9-8 last year and is considered to repeat the same and reach the postseason.

Lamar Jackson’s Ravens look solid on paper and will possibly finish the season 10-7.

Any earlier upset can be reimbursed in this match for both teams.

Falcons at Bears

The Falcons traveling to the Soldier Field can be detrimental for the loser of the tie. It can end their season ahead.

The battle for the playoff poises beautifully among the NFC teams as they eye for the penultimate spot.

Atlanta looks good in offense and has displayed positive signs over the year. Likewise, Chicago hopes to redeem themselves this year and can upset some big names. The Falcons would like to avoid this fate.

Chargers at Broncos

With Kansas eyeing another trophy, the second spot remains in competition in the AFC West.

The divisional battle between Los Angeles and Denver can determine their fate.

As the Broncos’ head coach, Sean Payton will likely revive Russel Wilson’s form. The SB XLVII winner can help them get over the line this year.

Meanwhile, the Chargers would like nothing more than to reach their second consecutive playoff. With the highest NFL contract, Justin Herbert will up his game and help his team succeed.

Packers at Vikings

The NFC North contest can break one team’s heart and send them packing for the campaign.

Jordan Love seems to have understood his assignment and looks good taking over the signal-caller role. The Packers would like to have a winning season under their belt.

Similarly, Justin Jefferson’s Vikings pulled a 13-4 record last season and are expected to see a downfall with a 7-10 campaign.

The all-out match can decide who stays and who exits the season.

Week 18 games that matter are Steelers at Ravens, Browns at Bengals, Eagles at Giants, Jets at Patriots, Vikings at Lions, and Bears at Packers.

The January 7th fixtures are nothing but fireworks. The lineup is crazy as it officially concludes the regular season and gives the playoff teams.

We can expect some nail-biting finish to the season as we predict many twists may occur on the last day. Some teams may prevail over others and get a last-minute entry to the postseason.

We are certain that Cincinnati will top the AFC North, despite many predicting them to have a 10-7 season. With that in mind, the Ravens battling with the Steelers can be the ultimate knockout contest for the division.

The Continuation Of The Eagles-Giants Rivalry

The Eagles-Giants rivalry makes it to the final week. Philadelphia has the toughest Strength of Schedule, but they also contain an experienced roster, and so are favorites to win the NFC East.

The question is whether the Giants can get a playoff spot or not. If teams like the Vikings and the Saints upped their games, the Giants could fall out of postseason contention.

Jets Battle The Patriots

Likewise, the Jets vs. Patriots can decide the second position in the AFC East. It will be exciting to see if Rodgers can work his magic when they travel to Gillette Stadium.

If the Patriots hold their nerves through the season, they can beat the Jets and reach the playoffs. They remain in playoff contention.

NFC North Battle For The 2nd Spot

The NFC North can provide a last-minute change in the standings on the final day.

The Lions will indeed have a 10 or 11-win season. The Vikings, the Packers, and the Bears are all fighting for a better result than the rest of the NFC teams for a wild card spot. It can be anyone’s night.

Playoff Prediction

Fourteen teams qualify each year for the playoffs. The rule has existed since 2000.

Before that, twelve teams contested for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the postseason from 1990 to 2019. The number was ten from 1978 to 1989 and eight teams from 1970 to 1977.

Here is a prediction for each conference for the 2023 campaign:

AFC

• Buffalo Bills – East winner
• Cincinnati Bengals – North winner
• Jacksonville Jaguars – South winner
• Kansas City Chiefs – West Winner (No. 1 seed)
• New York Jets – Wildcard
• Baltimore Ravens – Wildcard
• Denver Broncos – Wildcard

NFC

• Philadelphia Eagles – East winner (No. 1 seed)
• Detroit Lions – North winner
• Atlanta Falcons – South winner
• San Francisco 49ers – West winner
• Dallas Cowboys – Wildcard
• New Orleans Saints – Wildcard
• Seattle Seahawks – Wildcard