The Lions kick off Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season when they take on the Chiefs Thursday night.
Last time out: Detroit went 9-8 and finished strong winning 8 of their last 10. With a revamped secondary, growing young talent, new running back weapons and familiar coaches, the Lions will be looking to show they can live up to new expectations with a Week 1 win on national television.
Kansas City took home their third Super Bowl title last year. The offseason saw the Chiefs make some changes at the wide receiver position and along the offensive and defensive lines, but with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid still at the helm, they will be favorites in Week 1.
Matchups: It will be a battle of heavyweights in the trenches as Detroit was second in the league in pass protection last season, giving up only 24 sacks. The Chiefs ranked second in sacks with 55. The possibility of Chris Jones holding out may tip the scales in the Lions' favor but either way this should be a matchup to keep an eye on.
In their last meeting: Kansas City beat Detroit 34-30 at Ford Field in 2019.
The overall series: The Chiefs hold a 9-5 series lead which dates back to 1971.
Matchup odds: ESPN analytics gives the Chiefs a 66.2% chance to win.
Here are 5 Chiefs storylines to follow heading into Thursday's matchup:
1. Andy Reid on preparation for Lions: 'They get your attention when you watch the tape'
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke about the team's upcoming preparation for Thursday night's matchup ... WATCH
2. Patrick Mahomes on repeating as Super Bowl champions: 'You have to keep building'
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes discusses the task of winning another Super Bowl and facing off against a new-look Lions' defense in Week 1 ... WATCH
3. Five things you need to know about new Chiefs DT Neil Farrell
With Chris Jones potentially not available the Chiefs secured a new weapon along the defensive line who will look to help stop Detroit's run game ... READ MORE
4. Chiefs earn the top spot in The Ringer's Projected Offensive Rankings
The Chiefs are preseason favorites to once again field an explosive offense in 2023 ... READ MORE
5. Nick Bolton: The Chiefs' defensive heartbeat
In just his third year, linebacker Nick Bolton has emerged as a star and leader of the Chiefs' defense while wearing a jersey number symbolizing family and legacy ... READ MORE
View photos of the starters for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Head Coach Andy Reid
Offensive Coordinator: Matt Nagy
Defensive Coordinator: Steve Spagnuolo
Special Teams Coordinator: Dave Toub
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
WR Skyy Moore
Backed up by Richie James and Justyn Ross
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
T Donovan Smith
Backed up by Prince Tega Wanogho and Wanya Morris
(AP Photo/Peter Aiken)
G Joe Thuney
Backed up by Mike Caliendo
(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
C Creed Humphrey
Backed up by Nick Allegretti
(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
G Trey Smith
(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
T Jawaan Taylor
Backed up by Lucas Niang
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
TE Travis Kelce
Backed up by Noah Gray and Blake Bell
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Backed up by Justin Watson
(AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
QB Patrick Mahomes
Backed up by Blaine Gabbert
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
RB Isiah Pacheco
Backed up by Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire
(Ben Liebenberg via AP)
WR Kadarius Toney
Backed up by Rashee Rice
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
DE George Karlaftis
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
DT Chris Jones
Backed up by Tershawn Wharton
(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
DT Derrick Nnadi
Backed up by Keondre Coburn
(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
DE Mike Danna
Backed up by Malik Herring, Felix Anudike-Uzomah and BJ Thompson
(AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
LB Willie Gay
Backed up by Jack Cochrane and Cam Jones
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
LB Nick Bolton
Backed up by Drue Tranquill and Olakunle Fatukasi
(AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez)
LB Leo Chenal
(AP Photo/Peter Aiken)
CB Trent McDuffie
Backed up by Joshua Williams
(AP Photo/Peter Aiken)
CB L'Jarius Sneed
Backed up by Jaylen Watson and Nic Jones
(AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
S Justin Reid
Backed up by Mike Edwards
(AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
S Bryan Cook
Backed up by Chamarri Conner
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
P Tommy Townsend
(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
K Harrison Butker
(Ben Liebenberg via AP)
LS James Winchester
(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
PR/KR Richie James
(AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
