THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WEEK 1: DETROIT LIONS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

BY ADAM GREENE

After surrendering the airwaves for a single weekend to college football (and Canadian Football, I guess), the NFL returns in force to kick off its 2023-24 season with a Thursday night match up between two teams both expected to make the playoffs by season’s end.

For the Detroit Lions, the story is all about head coach Dan Campbell’s third campaign with the team. The Lions came within sniffing distance of the playoffs a year ago and could all but punch their ticket by stacking up some early victories.

The Kansas City Chiefs have once again been robbed of their depth and talent by other NFL franchises, but such is the lot of a champion. They remain the favorite to win it all and their quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, the gold standard at the position.

DETROIT LIONS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-6, O/U: 53)

Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

Broadcast: NBC

Kickoff: Sep. 7. 8:20 p.m.

DETROIT LIONS (0-0)

The fact that the Lions, who did not make the playoffs last season (but would have if the refs in the Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks game weren’t complete garbage), are in the season opener TNF game shows exactly how high the expectations are for the team this season. Detroit did nothing but boost their odds, through both free agent acquisitions and the draft, adding running back Jahmyr Gibbs from Alabama, a guy I think will be in the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation. Quarterback Jared Goff is coming off his best season since 2018 and playing for a contract extension and forever home with the Lions. Last year Goff was good for a 65.1 completion percentage, 4,438 yads (third highest total of his seven-year career), 29 touchdowns (second highest total of his career) and seven interceptions (tied for the lowest of his career).

Jameson Williams’ suspension hurts Detroit, but they’re deep enough at wideout with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Marvin Jones, Jr. and Josh Reynolds where they should be fine until he suits back up in Week 7.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-0)

There’s no secret as to why the Chiefs were selected to open the season with this showcase. They’re the defending Super Bowl Champions after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. Not everything has gone well for the champs this offseason. Their roster was raided once again and they have to deploy new starters on offense and defense, especially up front on both lines.

They also got some bad news in practice this week as All-Universe tight end Travis Kelce hyperextended his knee and could miss Thursday night’s game.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is coming off an MVP campaign that saw him lead the NFL in passing yards (5,250) and touchdown passes (41) with just 12 interceptions.

THE PICK

The NFL has the ability to shock everyone, with pretty much any result. That being said, I’m not sure anyone outside of Dan Campbell’s household is picking Detroit to win this one. I do think there’s a chance it could be closer than the spread. Chiefs 27, Lions 23

Last week

Straight up: 8-8

Against the spread: 9-7

Preseason

Straight up: 26-21-2

Against the spread: 26-23

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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