The NFL Schedule is coming out on Thursday, and as per usual at this time of the year there is rampant speculation about which games will get locked into primetime, which games will appear on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and who everyone’s favorite team will play in Week 1.

Of all the major sports, the NFL schedule release is the most tantalizing and scrutinized. People gotta get those Thursday’s, Sunday’s and Monday night’s booked in advance.

So with leaks and rumors running rampant until its official release on Thursday (and you can rest assure, we’ll know most of the true schedule come Thursday afternoon before its “official” release on Thursday night), let’s make some predictions, shall we?

• Prediction #1: Jets vs. Giants WON'T Be the Opener

  There has been a lot of speculation and momentum that the Giants and Jets will open the 2023 season against one another on Monday Night Football, and there is good reason for it.

  NFL Schedule Leaks:
  
  Already hearing rumors about Jets vs. Giants on 9/11?
  
  Final score: Jets 27, Giants 10. #NFL #nflschedule #NFLSchedule2023

  — John Frascella (Football) (@LegendSports7) May 9, 2023

  1) The first Monday night falls on 22nd anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, so why not have the two NYC-based teams play each other on this sacred day; 2) The storylines write themselves: Aaron Rodgers first game with the Jets; The Giants trying to quiet their “little brother” while trying to prove last season was no fluke; Brian Daboll vs. Robert Saleh; Joe Douglas vs. Joe Schoen. Who’s better?

  It’s all too good to be true.

  I hope it is the opener, but the NFL has a propensity to not do what the fans expect when it comes to the schedule. Don’t be shocked if this one gets shoved down to later in the schedule.

• Prediction #2: Jets and Giants Open 2023 Season In Division

  If the NFL doesn’t schedule Jets vs. Giants in week 1,  then who will the Jets and Giants open the season against? Let’s refer to Peter King of Sports Illustrated who projects the New York Jets will get a primetime game in Week 1.

  Peter King’s 2 Predictions on the Schedule Release
  
  NFL’s first-ever Amazon Black Friday Game: I think the leader in the clubhouse for that game is #Eagles-#Giants, but nothing set in stone.
  
  Week 1: Aaron Rodgers and the #Jets will play Sunday night or Monday night.

  — uSTADIUM App (@uSTADIUM) May 1, 2023

  So I predict the Jets open the 2023 season at MetLife Stadium against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. It makes the most sense. Divisional game. The AFC East Champs in to take on the upstart Jets with Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers vs. Josh Allen. Yeah. Gold.

  I also predict the Giants open the 2023 season at home, the day before on September 10 against the Washington Commanders. Not a sexy match-up by any means, but, it is an important one for Big Blue to get off to a good start in front of the home fans.

• Prediction #3: Chiefs - Bengals Rematch Week 1

  

  KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 29: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) heads out of bounds in front of Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai (58) during the last second of the game on January 29th, 2023 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

  Not all Week 1 match-ups have to be stale you know. It makes too much sense for the Chiefs and Bengals to meet up in Week 1 at Arrowhead. 1) It’s a rematch of the past two AFC Title games; 2) Patrick Mahomes vs. Joe Burrow; 3) there is a budding rivalry going on between the two teams. Prior to K.C.’s win in the AFC title game last January, the Bengals had won three straight vs. the Chiefs all by the identical score of 27-24.  As defending champs, the Chiefs get the featured Week 1 match-up on Thursday night on NBC. Chiefs-Bengals fits like a glove.

• Prediction #4 Thanksgiving Day & Black Friday Slate

  Aside from Week 1, the other week everyone jumps to when the schedule releases is Thanksgiving. Already there are rumors the Jets and Cowboys will meet on Turkey day. What about the other two Turkey Day match-ups?

  Rumor: #Jets @ #Cowboys Week 12 Thanksgiving (4:30 EST)

  — NFL Schedule Leaks (@NFLSchedule2023) May 7, 2023

  It’s hard to believe but the Lions haven’t hosted the Packers on Thanksgiving since 2013. This would be a wild trick by the NFL to schedule Jordan Love and the Packers into Detroit for the early slot on Turkey Day, and then have ex-Packer Aaron Rodgers lead the Jets into Big D to face the Cowboys. Why not?

  There is some speculation that the primetime game could be Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore — not a bad idea, but the west coast doesn’t get much love from the NFL on Turkey Day, so let’s change that. Prediction: Chiefs at Broncos on Thanksgiving in Primetime. Mahomes vs. Russell Wilson. That will get some eyeballs.

  Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore would be a great stand alone contest on Black Friday.

  So Turkey week:

  Packers at Lions 12:30

  Jets at Cowboys 4:30

  Chiefs at Broncos 8:20

  Ravens at Steelers (Black Friday) at 8:20 p.m.

• Prediction #5 Christmas Triple Header?

  There are rumors of a Christmas Triple header, and many speculate the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles could be in play. Let’s roll with it.

  Prediction: Game 1: Bills at Dolphins — Two teams expected atop the AFC East this year duking it out on Christmas in South Beach sounds perfect.

  Prediction: Game 2: 49ers at Vikings – The Vikings and 49ers were both solid teams last season, they are schedule meet up in Minneapolis this season. Both teams are expected to be good again this year; could be a great match-up for a late afternoon.

  Prediction: Game 3: Giants at Eagles — what better way to close out Christmas then a little battle down I-95 between the G-Men and the Birds?

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