Intriguing Game– NFL, Week One

Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs 

Lions: I remember in 2021, many laughed at Dan Campbell for being visibly emotional during a press conference after his team lost a close game. My takeaway was I saw a man who’s passionate about his job. To be honest with you all and if I were playing, this is the one coach I’d run through a brick wall for. I’ve said in previous years that you just know when players respond to a coach because they will leave everything on the field and give 110%. Dan’s first year was a struggle, but last year showed some optimism. Although they didn’t make the playoffs, they played hard. I can say they aren’t the same Lions. I’ve seen a lot of them over the years and they would either get blown out in the worst way or they’d lose in heartbreaking fashion. 2022 was the best I’ve seen Jared Goff look ever. He took tremendous care of the ball and look what happens when you don’t jump outside of your box. Play your game and everything will pan itself out. I’m excited for this defense, especially Aidan Hutchinson. He was a force in college for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and I see him doing the same for Dan in Detroit. I’ve never seen this much buzz surrounding the Lions but look at the NFC North now. I expect the Vikings to take a step back, the Bears are still rebuilding and the Packers, well, a new chapter is set to begin for them after trading Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. In other words, the NFC North is up for grabs. Tonight, the Lions have a date with the Super Bowl champions.

Chiefs: The curse has been broken! For so many years, the winner of the MVP award would always fall short in the Super Bowl or even worse, they wouldn’t make it at all. Patrick Mahomes became just the second player ever to win MVP and the Super Bowl in the same season as the first was Hall of Famer, Kurt Warner. Let’s not pretend as if they didn’t hear all of the chatter last year after they decided to trade away Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins. When Cheetah was still in Kansas City, the ball was going either to him or Travis Kelce. Last year, I noticed more of a spread-out passing attack because after Kelce, you didn’t know who would get the ball. Speaking of Travis, he’s ascending into the ranks of the legendary Tight Ends clubs. Even one of the greatest in Shannon Sharpe gave him his flowers and said he’s already a top-five Tight End. Now, everyone can say he’s a product of Mahomes all they want, but what people fail to understand is that he was also putting up elite numbers back when Alex Smith was the Chiefs starting Quarterback. The Chiefs enter this season as the projected favorites to repeat as champions once again and I see why. Patrick is entering the prime of his career and they also have the best Head Coach in the league in Andy Reid. Last season happened and now, it’s time to turn the page on a new year. The defending champs will kick off the 2023 season with the up-and-coming Lions coming to town tonight.

Lions X-Factor: David Montgomery– He stays in the NFC North! When healthy, David is a threat. He’s a combination of vision, speed, footwork, hands and grit. He makes a defense work to take him down. I’ve always admired that he doesn’t shy away from contact or go out of bounds as he’s always looking for extra yards. Slowing the game down will be key for the Lions tonight. Trying to get into a shootout with the Chiefs will hurt you.

Chiefs X-Factor: Kadarius Toney– With Mecole Hardman and Juju Smith-Schuster both gone, look for KC to use Kadarius a bit more in this offense. He brings versatility to this offense such as running jet sweeps, catching the screen passes and going over the middle. Kadarius is a tough out in space and if the Lions had doubled down on Kelce, I expect him to see his share of one-on-one looks. He must step it up tonight along with some other receivers to help compensate with Kelce being out with a knee injury.

Three Things To Watch

1. Gameplan Changes: Travis Kelce has been ruled out of this game after hyperextending his knee in practice. While you may think this works in the favor of the Detroit Lions, it actually gives the nod to the Chiefs instead because after Travis, defenses don’t know who to necessarily zoom in on. Is it Valdes-Scantling? Skyy Moore? Kadarius Toney? Just who exactly? However, from a defensive standpoint, you can play a little more zone now that Travis won’t be on the field tonight. I can’t wait to see who takes full advantage of the gameplan changes tonight.

2. Start Quickly: When playing the Chiefs, it’s key to keep them from getting into a rhythm and I say that because when they start quickly, they will be in control of the game. It’s key for the Lions to capitalize on every opportunity presented to them! In other words, you will not beat the Chiefs kicking field goals. Six points will give you a chance each time. If you build a lead up on them, keep your foot on the gas.

3. 18 Rewind?: When Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes last faced off, it was in 2018 on a memorable Monday night in Los Angeles. It was one of the highest-scoring games in league history. I’ve been on record saying getting into a shootout with the Chiefs can be dangerous because that’s just their game. However, people tend to forget that the Lions can score and they averaged the fifth most points per contest last year. I could see this game going back and forth.

Final Thoughts: We haven’t seen a football game count since the Super Bowl. Almost seven months later, the NFL is back! This is a great test for the Lions. Opening night against the defending Super Bowl champions and they would love nothing more than to send a message in Arrowhead in week one. Expect Dan Campbell to empty out the bag of tricks. This has all the feels of a shootout and I see the Lions playing up to their competition. However, Detroit is breaking in a brand new secondary and that’s a tough first test against the best Quarterback in the league. The Lions will make this an interesting game, but I expect the Chiefs to pull away when it matters which is in the fourth quarter. I like Kansas City to win their season opener tonight. They’ve been automatic in the month of September since Mahomes became the starting Quarterback and that continues.

Prediction: Chiefs 34, Lions 27