The National Football League season kicks off on Thursday night with a matchup between two teams predicted to be playoff contenders this season when the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Detroit Lions to begin the NFL schedule.
Playing in their 93rd season in the NFL, The Lions wrapped up the 2022 season with a 9-8 record and a second-place finish in the NFC North Division. Detroit opened up the year with a 1-6 record before a midseason turnaround ended with a winning record. Head coach Dan Campbell enters his third season as the head coach of the Lions, sporting a 12-21-1 record in two seasons on Detroit’s sideline.
Kansas City wrapped up their 53rd season in the NFL with the franchise’s third Super Bowl title and second under head coach Andy Reid. Entering his 11th year as the head coach of the Chiefs, Reid has amassed a 117-45 record, nine postseason appearances, seven division titles, five consecutive AFC Championship Games, and three Super Bowl appearances.
These two teams have met 14 times in their franchise’s history, the last a 34-30 victory by the Chiefs in Detroit in 2019. Kansas City has won the last two meetings and own a 9-5 all-time record.
Thursday’s contest kicks off at 8:20 p.m. EST at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs vs. Lions odds have Kansas City as a 6.5-point favorite and the over/under total at 54.5 points.
Looking at the NFL odds, we should be in for an exciting game! NFL at BetUS odds have the Chiefs as the favorites.
Top Sportsbooks Odds to Bet on NFL
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Overall Game Info & Outlook
Kansas City Chiefs vs Detroit Lions
Location: Arrowhead Stadium, KC, Missouri
Date & Time: Thursday, September 7. 8:20 p.m.
Where to watch: NBC
Kansas City defeated Philadelphia, 38-35, in Super Bowl LVII; Detroit beat Green Bay, 20-16, in the final week of the 2022 regular season
Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs Betting Preview
Lions Preview
- Detroit closed out the 2022 season with a 12-5 record against the spread.
- The Lions were 5-3 ATS in games played on the road.
- Detroit was 8-3 ATS when entering a contest as the underdog.
Detroit is expected to finish high in the NFL standings this season after turning their 2022 season around and just missing the postseason.
When making your NFL picks, keep in mind that the Lions return a bulk of their offensive production from last season, including starting quarterback Jared Goff, who thrived in offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s offense.
Goff threw for 4,438 yards, completing 65.1% of his throws and averaging 261.1 yards per game through the air. The 28-year-old threw 29 touchdown passes to only seven interceptions, a big jump from his first year in Detroit.
Leading rushers Jamall Williams and D’Andre Swift are gone, but the Lions signed former Chicago Bears starting running back David Montgomery and drafted Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs to take over the rushing duties. Montgomery was hurt for a portion of last season, finishing the year with 801 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Amon-Ra St. Brown is in his third season in the NFL and looks to build on a 2022 season that saw St. Brown earned a trip to his first Pro Bowl. The former USC Trojan caught 106 of 146 targets for 1,161 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Kansas City Chiefs Preview
- The Chiefs finished 8-11-1 ATS in games played in 2022
- Kansas City was 3-6-1 ATS in games played at Arrowhead Stadium
- As the favorite, KC was 6-10-1 ATS
Looking at the Super Bowl odds, the Chiefs are once again expected to be in the Super Bowl conversation, with the franchise continuing to push all the right buttons on the offseason. Patrick Mahomes returns under center for the Chiefs, along with a handful of offensive weapons from last year’s team.
Mahomes dominated the NFL stats, throwing for 5,250 yards, completing 67.1% of his throws with 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The former Texas Tech star added 358 yards on the ground and four scores. Mahomes won his second NFL Most Valuable Player award last season with his performance in 2022.
The backfield remains intact with second-year pro Isiah Pacheco taking over the starting duties. Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire remain on the roster and provide the Chiefs with two capable back to slide into the starting role if something happens to Pacheco. The 24-year-old Pacheco capped his rookie season with 830 yards on the ground and 130 through the air, scoring five total touchdowns.
Three of the four top pass-catchers from last year’s team returns this year, led by All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce consistently wows, leading with 110 receptions, 1,338 yards, and 12 touchdowns, showcasing his remarkable skills year after year. The season led to Kelce’s eighth consecutive All-Pro selection.
Last year, Marquez Valdez-Scantling ranked third in team receptions. He’s set to start as wideout with Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore. Valdez-Scantling hauled in 42 receptions for 687 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his first season in Kansas City.
Toney was picked up by the Chiefs late last year, emerging as a perfect fit in Reid’s offense with his receiving and rushing ability, while Moore’s role will increase this season with the departure of Juju Smith-Schuster.
Top Sportsbooks Odds
BetOnline: Chiefs -6.5
Bovada: Chiefs -6.5
MyBookie: Chiefs -6.5
BetUS: Chiefs -6.5
BetNow: Chiefs -6.5
Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs Odds & Picks
Chiefs vs Lions Odds:
Recommended Pick:
After reviewing the Chiefs vs Lions Odds, there you got our pick:
- Detroit Lions +6.5 (-105)
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