2023 Buffalo Bills schedule analysis

On Thursday night, the NFL released the complete Bills schedule. Per NFL Research, Bills opponents had a 155-131-2 record in 2022, making their 2023 schedule the seventh-most difficult in the NFL. 

Circle the date: Week 14 @ Kansas City (Dec. 10)

Is there really another option for the game of the year? Quarterbacks Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes have delivered stellar performances over the years, with the last two meetings between Buffalo and Kansas City being decided by one score.

Allen won the last bout as Buffalo defeated Kansas City 24-20 last season but trails Mahomes 2-3 in the series. Considering how thrilling this saga has been, it's a shame the NFL won't feature it on "Sunday Night Football." 

Toughest stretch: Weeks 12-16

Before Buffalo enjoys its late bye, it faces the defending NFC champion Eagles in hostile Philadelphia, which should be a challenge. The Eagles finished 9-2 at Lincoln Financial Field last season, including the playoffs.

Just because the Week 13 bye is on their side doesn’t mean the Bills will throttle the Chiefs in their Week 14 showdown. Although Buffalo came out of Arrowhead with a win last year, it was the only game Kansas City lost at home all season, which the Chiefs are sure to remember.

After two games against the Super Bowl LVII participants, the Bills will go head-to-head with two more 2022 playoff teams. They'll host Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15, then travel to Los Angeles to meet Justin Herbert’s Chargers in Week 16, which will be streamed on Peacock. 

Easiest stretch: Weeks 8-10

Buffalo has a rematch of last year’s divisional round encounter with the Bengals squeezed into this stretch. However, its Week 8 contest against Tampa Bay should be a useful tune-up game. Tampa Bay seems headed toward a rebuild and will throw out Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask to go up against the Bills. It'd be concerning if Buffalo doesn't get the win.

In Week 9, the Bills travel to Cincinnati in a game that could go either way. If they can avenge their playoff loss to Cincinnati, they have an opportunity to go 3-0 during this stretch, with another favorable opponent scheduled for the following game in Denver.

Astonishingly few 1 p.m. games 

Bills fans should make sure they get their NFL RedZone subscriptions in order. The Bills will play more primetime games this season (six) than 1 p.m. starts (five). 

Three of the five early games occur in Weeks 2 through 4. In Week 7, the Bills will travel to New England for their last 1 p.m. start until Week 17, which is also against the Patriots.

While some may be upset at the late start times, it’s the price to pay for having a quarterback as talented as Allen.