Chiefs face Lions, Jets to face Bills in NFL openers
Aaron Rodgers will have a feature Monday night debut with the New York Jets against Buffalo while defending champion Kansas City opens against Detroit in 2023 NFL games announced on Thursday. Hours before the planned unveiling of the entire NFL schedule for the 2023 campaign, the league revealed the details of selected feature matchups, including four-time NFL Most Valuable Player Rodgers's first game since leaving the Green Bay Packers. The 39-year-old quarterback, traded last month to the Jets in a blockbuster deal, will go against Bills quarterback Josh Allen when AFC East division rival Buffalo visits New York for a nationally televised Monday night game on September 11. The NFL season will have its traditional Thursday night opening at the home of the reigning champions on September 7 when the Kansas City Chiefs entertain the Detroit Lions. Two of the NFL's highest-powered offensive units will be featured in the opener, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes fresh off leading Kansas City to a second title in four seasons. The Chiefs will be trying to become the first back-to-back NFL champion since New England in the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Kansas City was also announced as the host of a Christmas Day contest against the Las Vegas Raiders, who have added Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback. The NFL announced another December 25 contest on Wednesday with the Philadelphia Eagles entertaining the New York Giants. The Dallas Cowboys will visit the San Francisco 49ers on October 8 in a Sunday night feature contest. Dallas was ousted by the 49ers in the NFL playoffs the past two seasons. Other NFL games revealed on Wednesday included a December 31 game featuring Joe Burrow-led Cincinnati at Kansas City, San Francisco at Philadelphia on December 3 and Miami at the Jets on November 24, the day after the American Thanksgiving holiday. The NFL also has announced clubs and dates for five games to be staged in Europe. London contests include Atlanta and Buffalo against Jacksonville on October 1 and 8 respectively and Baltimore against Tennessee on October 15 while two games in Frankfurt send Miami against Kansas City on November 5 and Indianapolis against New England on November 12. (AFP)