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Detroit Lions game predictions vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Should be close, but an upset?

dave birkett, carlos monarrez, jeff seidel and shawn windsor, detroit free press
·2 min read
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Free Press sports writers share their predictions for the Detroit Lions' season opener on Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium (8:20 p.m., NBC):

Dave Birkett

The Lions have had Sept. 7 circled on their calendar since they found out they drew the defending champs in the NFL’s kickoff game in May. As Alex Anzalone said Monday, “It’s a great stage” and big proving ground “for a lot of us.” The Lions believe they stack up well with the Chiefs. They caught a break with Chris Jones’ holdout, and they haven’t hid from the fact that Thursday is a chance to announce their presence as a legitimate Super Bowl contender to the entire league.

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I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Lions pull the upset, but I’m not predicting it. Patrick Mahomes is out-of-this-world good, Arrowhead is one of the best homefield advantages in football, and the environment will be electric for the banner-raising ceremony the Chiefs never really had after their last Super Bowl because of COVID-19. Defending champs have won four of their past five openers and Kansas City has won eight straight in Week 1, five by double digits. The pick: Chiefs 31, Lions 27.

The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce remain the most-coveted players at their respective positions in fantasy football.
The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce remain the most-coveted players at their respective positions in fantasy football.

Carlos Monarrez

This game won’t be as close as the final score indicates, but we’ll learn how far the Lions have to go on both sides of the ball against the reigning champs. Amon-Ra St. Brown will have a big night, the new run game will look good against a Jones-less Chiefs defense, Jared Goff will throw his first pick since November, but will otherwise look good, and Ben Johnson will show off some trickery. But the defense will struggle mightily and all that talk about improved depth will feel a little shallow. The pick: Chiefs 31, Lions 27.

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Jeff Seidel

The Lions have an explosive offense that can hang with the Chiefs. It looks like Kansas City will be missing Jones, the All-Pro defensive tackle who is holding out. The Lions defense has improved. And this young team has nothing to lose. Get ready, Motor City. This season is going to be a wild ride. The pick: Lions 38, Chiefs 35.

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Shawn Windsor

Improbable? Sure. But then this new view of the Lions is improbable. Besides, Kansas City will likely be missing its best defensive player in Jones. The pick: Lions 34, Chiefs 31.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions game predictions vs. K.C. Chiefs: Close, but an upset?