Despite being smack in the middle of the offseason, the annual NFL schedule release is a huge source of excitement and anticipation for players, coaches, and fans.

The 2023/24 NFL schedule was released on Thursday, so let’s look at the marquee matchups for the upcoming season.

Who plays on the opening week of the NFL season?

The season should get off to a hot start on Thursday, September 7 as the upstart Detroit Lions will take on the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs to open the season.

However, this is far from the only compelling game of Week 1. On Sunday, September 10, the new-look Green Bay Packers are set to take on the Chicago Bears, while the Philadelphia Eagles will face the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys will match up against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football.

Week 1 will conclude with Aaron Rodgers’ first regular season start in a New York Jets uniform, as they’ll take on the Buffalo Bills in an AFC East clash on Monday Night Football.

What international games are on the schedule?

The 2023/24 NFL season will feature more games played overseas than ever before, as the league has announced the opponents, dates, and locations for the five international games to be played across London, UK and Frankfurt, Germany.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will kick off the 2023 NFL International Games on Sunday, October 1, as they play the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium. The Jaguars will then face the Buffalo Bills the following weekend at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking the first time a team has played two games outside of the U.S. in the same season.

On October 15, the Tennessee Titans will play the Baltimore Ravens, also at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The following month, the Kansas City Chiefs will play the Miami Dolphins at Frankfurt Stadium in Germany. Lastly, the New England Patriots face the Indianapolis Colts at Frankfurt Stadium on November 12.

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Will there be a Super Bowl rematch?

One of the most anticipated games of the NFL season will be a rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football in Week 11.

It’s not too often that we get a Super Bowl rematch in the following regular season, so there will be plenty of excitement around this game, especially for fans in Philadelphia.

Other compelling primetime games this season include the Chiefs taking on the New York Jets in Week 4 on Sunday Night Football, the Carolina Panthers vs Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football in Week 10 and the Cincinnati Bengals facing off against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football in Week 13.

What is the NFL schedule on Thanksgiving?

As has become the norm, there will be a trio of NFL games on Thanksgiving. This year’s crop of games will be led off by the Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions, followed by the Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys and capped off by the San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks.

However, one new wrinkle to the Thanksgiving weekend schedule is the addition of a game on Black Friday. On the day after Thanksgiving, you’ll have a mouthwatering football game to enjoy with your leftovers as the New York Jets will host the Miami Dolphins.

Other notable games in Week 12 include the New England Patriots vs. New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals.

What is the NFL schedule on Christmas?

There is plenty of time between now and Christmas Day 2023, but the NFL is in the spirit of giving with its tripleheader of games on Monday, December 25.

First up is an AFC West clash between the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, followed by a showdown between the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.

Closing out the trio of games is a Super Bowl XLVII rematch between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers.

There will be plenty of games taking place on Christmas Eve that Sunday, including the Washington Commanders taking on the New York Jets, the Green Bay Packers facing the Carolina Panthers and the Detroit Lions traveling to Minnesota to face the Vikings.