Kansas City Chiefs vs Detroit Lions Prediction 9-7-23 NFL Picks

The Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs square off in Thursday NFL Week 1 action at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Detroit Lions Betting Preview

The Detroit Lions were a surprise team that went from 3 wins in 2021 to 9 wins last season, and they enter a third year under coach Dan Campbell. The Lions haven’t made the playoffs since 2016, but they have top-5 odds currently to win the NFC. The Lions return 8 starters from a top-5 offense and add a playmaker in rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Quarterback Jared Goff is coming off a third Pro Bowl berth after throwing for 4,438 yards and 29 touchdowns. The Lions were a mess defensively last year, but improvements were made this offseason by adding Cameron Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. First round pick Jack Campbell also appears to have earned a starting linebacker role. The Lions haven’t won a playoff game since 1991 when Barry Sanders was just 23 years old. Exceptions are high in Detroit for the first time in a long time, and a win here would prove that the Lions are certainly worth the hype. 


Detroit Lions Team Facts

Detroit Lions Player Prop Facts

Kansas City Chiefs Betting Preview

The Kansas City Chiefs are fresh off their second Super Bowl title in the last 4 years, and have at least made the Super Bowl in 3 of those seasons. Coach Andy Reid enters his 11th season with the Chiefs, and they’re current betting favorites to win the championship yet again. The Chiefs lost 5 starters from last year’s roster, including two offensive linemen and their best wide receiver in JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Chiefs also have a difficult schedule that’s loaded with either playoff contenders or teams that made the playoffs last year. With that said, the Chiefs have quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and he cures all. Despite losing Tyreek Hill, Mahomes led the league with 5,250 passing yards and 41 touchdowns, earning a second MVP. Turning 28 years old in a couple of weeks, Mahomes has over 24,000 passing yards and 192 touchdowns for his career, putting him in the fast lane to be considered one of the best quarterbacks to ever play this game. The Chiefs do have guys to replace, and the schedule doesn’t do any favors, but they remain the team to beat as long as Patrick Lavon Mahomes II remains upright. 

Kansas City Chiefs Team Facts

Kansas City Chiefs Player Prop Facts

Matchup/League Facts

Randy’s Pick

The Lions and the free points are worth consideration when you consider this is a good team, and you’re not going to get a free touchdown with them often. However, the Lions still have some showing and proving to do offensively, and KC is never an easy place to play. Despite losing 5 starters, the Chiefs come off more trustworthy, simply given the quarterback and head coach situation and the fact we know they can put up points quickly and bury opponents. I guess I just need a little more convincing from the Lions before backing them in a spot like this. Give me the Chiefs by a touchdown.

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