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Post by D6 on May 11, 2023 11:50:17 GMT -5
Lions to open 2023 season at Chiefs on Thursday Night Football
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This new thread relates to the following thread:
Lions 2023 regular season Opponents officially set
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1649/lions-regular-season-opponents-officially
The Lions being the Chiefs opponent in the NFL opening game of the 2023 season is something I didn't anticipate at all. Especially, after Jamison Williams was suspended for the first 6 games of the regular season. I can't recall one time when the Lions were scheduled to play the Defending Super Bowl Champion on the road when I even gave thought to the Lions being the NFL Thursday Night game of a regular season. Brad Holmes, Dan Campbell, and their support staffs have done an extraordinary job in a relatively short period to even get the Lions into the position of being selected as the Chiefs opponent for the regular season opener.
This game will be a huge test for the Lions, in at least 3 ways:
1. The Chiefs are the defending Super Bowl Champions with the best QB in the NFL. As well as being amongst the top coached teams.
2. How the Lions handle much higher expectations.
3. Jamison Williams' suspension.
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Post by D6 on May 11, 2023 12:29:17 GMT -5
The Lions are huge underdogs in Week 1 vs. Chiefs
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The fact that the Lions are only 7 point underdogs at Kansas City in the NFL Showcase Game to open the NFL season, is an indicator of the perception of the Lions progress. That much more with Jamison Williams being suspended for the game.
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Post by D6 on May 12, 2023 16:33:19 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Sept 1, 2023 10:51:10 GMT -5
Chiefs’ moves include placing Chris Jones on reserve/did not report
Brett Veach remains “hopeful” Chris Jones’ deal gets completed before opener
Travis Kelce: Chris Jones is the best defensive player in the NFL, deserves the money
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Whether Chris Jones is the best Defensive Player in the NFL or not, he belongs on a list of the top Defensive Players in the NFL.
The challenge for the Chiefs is to satisfy Chris Jones, who already turned 29. For a QB, being 29 wouldn't be an issue in working out a lucrative long term contract extension. For an interior Defensive Lineman, it's likely a major issue from a Chiefs brass perspective.
The Lions have to assume that Chris Jones is going to report in time to play in the season opener in Kansas City, which is now only 6 days from tonight.
Even on a limited snap count, which likely would how the Chiefs would proceed if Jones reported in time to play in the game, Jones is more than capable of being a difference maker in the game both vs. the run and in passing situations. He's the type of player that doesn't always show up noticeably on a stat sheet. Yet, he greatly contributes to teammates showing up on the stat sheet. Jones, also has a knack for deflecting passes.
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Post by D6 on Sept 1, 2023 12:00:01 GMT -5
Dan Campbell: Lions need to know where Travis Kelce is when the play breaks down
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Travis Kelce turns 34 in October. But Kelce is coming off a Super Bowl winning season in which he had 12 TD receptions in the regular season and 4 more in 3 combined playoff games. With, 78 receptions resulting in 1st Downs (including TDs) in the regular season, and 12 more in the playoffs. In addition to being a different receiver, Kelce is a high-level blocking TE. The Lions certainly have to heavily focus on limiting Kelce's impact, which is much easier said than done without one or more other Chiefs skill players making the Lions pay.
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Post by D6 on Sept 1, 2023 17:44:52 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Sept 2, 2023 19:51:41 GMT -5
Dan Campbell lays out the key to stopping the Chiefs offense
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All 3 of the Lions units need to be playing at a high level for the Lions to pull off an upset in Kansas City. Protecting the ball on Offense and on Special Teams, & coming up with multiple takeaways, should put the Lions in position to win this game. As, well as any other game.
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Post by D6 on Sept 2, 2023 20:30:02 GMT -5
Breaking down the Lions unofficial depth chart release
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Based on what transpired in the pre-season, the most unknown question regarding the Lions Depth Chart, regarding starters, entering the regular season, was who would be the Lions starting RG in Kansas City for the regular season opener? Barring something unexpected, Halapoulivaati Vaitai is set to begin the regular season as the Lions starting RG. This enables Graham Glasgow to come off the bench, if necessary, as the Lions primary backup at both Guard positions, and at Center.
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Post by D6 on Sept 3, 2023 16:33:40 GMT -5
Chiefs star DT Chris Jones still holding out, unlikely to play the Lions in Week 1
Chris Jones isn’t trying to match or beat Aaron Donald
Will the Chiefs and Chris Jones get a deal done before Thursday?
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Assuming the Chiefs have regular practices tomorrow and Tuesday, with a Walkthrough Practice on Wednesday, at most, Chris Jones would have two regular practices to help him get ready for the NFL season opener vs. the Lions. The risk of injury to Jones, if he plays vs. the Lions, easily could be higher than the reward of him playing. As important as the game is for both teams, technically, it's less important than Divisional games and Conference Games. Even on a limited snap count, a strong case can be made that the Chiefs would be making a good decision keeping Jones Inactive for the game, even if he reports for practice tomorrow, then risking an injury that could linger much of the season.
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Post by D6 on Sept 3, 2023 18:10:36 GMT -5
Andy Reid doesn’t close the door on Chris Jones playing on Thursday night
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The Chiefs are as battle tested as any team in the NFL. Even with the uncertainty of what will transpire with Chris Jones and the pre-game festivities celebrating the Chiefs Super Bowl Championship, and the hype of a new season, I'm going to assume the Chiefs will be focused on the Lions. Especially, with Andy Reid remaining the Chiefs HC.
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Post by D6 on Sept 4, 2023 19:11:50 GMT -5
As 2023 season approaches, two major holdouts continue
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In addition to the Chris Jones holdout situation changing the landscape of the Lions-Chiefs game, and what transpires with Brian Burns leading up to the Lions game vs. the Panthers on October 8, the affects of the holdouts/ hold-ins of the 4 players could potentially lead to the Lions being in a similar situation with one or more players in the coming years. The same for every NFL team. Also, a trade involving one or more of these 4 players could have a huge impact on the overall NFL season. If Chris Jones gets traded to the Bears, which has been rumored at times, the Lions would be scheduled to go against him twice this season, and as long as Jones remains with the Bears.
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Post by D6 on Sept 5, 2023 14:17:29 GMT -5
Chiefs’ Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes praise Lions duo ahead of season opener
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Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes rank with the best Head Coach-QB combos in NFL history.
Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been the DC of 3 Super Bowl winning teams (two with the Chiefs, one with the Giants-against the previously unbeaten New England Patriots), and the DC in another Super Bowl (Bucs win over the Chiefs in the 2020 season). He's as battletested as any DC the Lions will be facing.
Dave Toub, the Chiefs Special Teams Coordinator, has been one of the top Special Teams Coordinators in the NFL for a long time.
Even if DT Chris Jones doesn't play in this game because of a contract holdout and top flight TE Travis Kelce is sidelined or severely limited with a knee injury he suffered in practice today, the Lions have a huge challenge in Kansas City on Thursday Night. Most of the coaches and players that were on the Chiefs Super Bowl winning team vs. the Eagles this past February, will be coaching/ playing vs. the Lions in the NFL season opener.
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Post by D6 on Sept 6, 2023 12:59:00 GMT -5
Chris Jones: I can play right now, hopefully we work it out
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TJ Watt had 3 days of practice, plus a Walk Through, before playing in his first game in the 2021 season. Chris Jones would have none of that if he reported to the Chiefs before the 2023 NFL opener vs. the Lions. With Jones not on the Chiefs current roster, the deadline for him to be activated in time to play vs. the Lions might even be today.
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Post by D6 on Sept 6, 2023 23:00:40 GMT -5
Predictions: Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs
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I'm cautiously optimistic that the Lions are going to have a lead by at least 7 points in the first half of this game. I would be surprised and disappointed if the Chiefs built a 2 TD or more lead in the first half. IMHO, the greater challenge/ obstacle is keeping up with Patrick Mahomes and co. in the 2nd half of the game. Mahomes and the Chiefs came back from a 24-0 deficit against the Texans in the 2nd Round of the 2019 season playoffs, to beat the Texans 51-31. The Lions can't even remotely assume that a large lead is safe through the vast majority of the game.
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Post by D6 on Sept 7, 2023 3:15:38 GMT -5
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