▶ Nolan Bianchi: It’s looking increasingly likely that the Chiefs will be missing two of their top three players in Thursday’s NFL opener at Arrowhead, but despite news about the injury status of future Hall-of-Fame tight end Travis Kelce and the holdout of All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones trending in Detroit’s favor, the betting line (Chiefs -5.5) has only moved one point. While the Lions’ path to a victory is certainly easier without those guys on the field, one has to wonder if that only further motivates Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. It certainly adds more pressure to the Lions, who are desperate for a decent showing in the opener. But as we learned at the end of last season, Dan Campbell’s Lions may be in the process of becoming immune to pressure. And if the Chiefs do, in fact, end up being without their two big stars, it’s no longer crazy to assume the Lions will jump through that open door. Pick: Lions, 28-23
▶ John Niyo: I’ve got questions about how some of the Lions’ rookies will fare in this white-hot spotlight. And I realize it’s silly to bet against Andy Reid in a season opener: He hasn’t lost one since 2014, when Patrick Mahomes was a freshman at Texas Tech. Since 2000, defending Super Bowl champs also are 19-4 in Week 1, and these Chiefs certainly aren’t headed for a fall like last year’s Rams were. But Detroit has the kind of offense that can keep up with Kansas City, a defense that should create more havoc this season, and a roster that’s as healthy as can be entering Week 1. (The Chiefs, meanwhile, are missing a huge difference-maker up front in Chris Jones.) So, let’s see what happens when this hype train really gets rolling. Pick: Lions, 31-27
▶ Justin Rogers: This opener is both the best- and worst-case scenario for the Lions. It’s awesome for the fact it’s rewarding the organic excitement the franchise has generated through its rebuild under Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes. Plus, there’s no better team than the Chiefs as a barometer for how far you’ve come (and/or still have to go). The other side of the coin is it’s the defending Super Bowl champions — the model of consistency in the NFL for the past decade — at their house, which is already one of the loudest venues in America, in primetime on a night they’ll be raising a banner. And for as much as the Lions’ defense has upgraded its personnel this offseason, it would have been nice to have a little time to build some chemistry before facing a generational quarterback in two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes.
My gut tells me the Lions battle nerves early, fall behind after a couple of quick KC scores, and spend the rest of the night battling back, making it respectable, but falling a little short. If that’s how it plays out, it doesn’t change anything about the improvements and expectations for this franchise in 2023. It simply acknowledges there are a few more steps to take before they’re ready to party with the league’s bluebloods.
To be fair, I’m writing this prediction shortly after the news Travis Kelce suffered a knee injury. At this point, I’m operating under the expectation he plays, but if he ends up being sidelined, all bets are off and the door is open for the Lions to pull off the upset. Pick: Chiefs, 31-25
▶ Bob Wojnowski: The Lions need some breaks here, and they might catch a couple. Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones is embroiled in a holdout, and elite tight end Travis Kelce might be sidelined because of a hyperextended knee. Potentially without two of their best players, the Super Bowl champs would be in trouble — if not for that Patrick Mahomes guy and that Andy Reid guy. Under Reid, the Chiefs have won 16 straight against NFC teams. The Lions will be stepping into the national cauldron, and if they can weather the first few series, they’ll hang around. Dan Campbell will have his team fired up, and it’s incumbent on Jared Goff to keep the offense poised. Jahmyr Gibbs will find room against a suspect KC defense, and the Lions’ revamped secondary will make a couple of big plays. But prime time in Arrowhead Stadium rarely turns out well for the visitors. Pick: Chiefs, 37-33