Lions at Chiefs preview: Game # 1 (2023)..NFL Opener (Thurs)

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Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Dave Birkett's scouting report, prediction

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Patrick Mahomes will make the Lions and every opponent pay for any lack of discipline and focus. The Lions need to keep mental mistakes at a minimum.

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PFT 2023 Week 1 NFL picks, Florio vs. Simms


Lions at Chiefs (-4.5)

Florio: Chiefs, 27-23.

Simms: Chiefs, 35-27.

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A one score game outcome is more likely than not.

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Lions will wear all-white uniforms vs. the Chiefs

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The Lions 3 wins in the 2021 season were at home, with the Lions wearing the Alternative Silver Jerseys in the last second win over the Vikings, the regular Blue Jerseys vs. the Cardinals, and the Throwback Blue Jerseys in the season finale win over the Packers. The Lions tie vs. the Steelers in Pittsburgh, which was the Lions first non-loss in the season, after an 0-8 start, and a 4 game losing streak at the end of the 2020 season, was one of the games the Lions wore all White Uniforms that season. The Lions wore all Whites earlier that season in Green Bay, on MNF, a game the Packers won.

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Behind enemy lines: Breaking down the Lions' Week 1 foe with Chiefs Wire

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Well thought out analysis by John Dillon.

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Predictions for Chiefs' Week 1 matchup vs. Lions

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I don't think the Lions are going to be wide eyed in this game. However, the Lions being overzealous is definitely a concern on this end. The coaches and veteran leaders need to reinforce to the rest of the Lions players that fundamentals, assignments, and overall discipline need to be maintained.

The Lions Defensive players not being on the same page play after play, probably is going to be an issue in this game and at least in the following game (vs. Seattle). If the Lions lose one or both games, this will likely be a primary reason why.

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4 Keys to a Lions victory against the Chiefs in Week 1

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Related to what was mentioned in the article, keeping Patrick Mahomes from breaking contain outside the pocket is quite a challenge but it's imperative the Lions are successful with this throughout the game.

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Lions inactive players vs. Chiefs: Some defensive line surprises

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The only two players of the five that are Inactive for the Lions that I thought had a realistic chance of being on the Game Day roster were Steven Gilmore, because of Special Teams, and Romeo Okwara, because of his Edge setting abilities.

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Inactives for Lions vs. Chiefs, Week 1

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My prediction for the game is Lions 34, Chiefs 30, a reversal of the 2019 game between the two teams in Detroit. It's imperative though that the Lions don't leave Patrick Mahomes and co. enough time, if the Lions tie or take the lead late in the 4th QTR and/ or in OT (if applicable). The Chiefs not having Chris Jones and Travis Kelce for this game is something they are more than capable of overcoming. Yet, I think the Lions have what it takes to capitalize on the adversity the Chiefs are dealing with (being without arguably their 2nd and 3rd best players).

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Biggest key matchup for the Lions vs. the Chiefs

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While I'm cautiously optimistic the Lions edge players will give the Chiefs Offensive Tackles plenty of problems, especially as pass rushers, my concern is that Patrick Mahomes will break contain one or more times he's pressured. The Lions pass rush and entire Defense needs to be in sync at all times.