Kansas City Chiefs @ 9/2
Philadelphia Eagles @ 7/1
Buffalo Bills @ 17/2
San Francisco @ 9/1
Cincinnati Bengals @ 10/1
Dallas Cowboys @ 14/1
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SPECIALS
The 2023/24 NFL season kicks off Friday at 1:20am. with the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, taking on the Detroit Lions. This will be only the third time the two sides have faced off in the last decade, with the Chiefs winning the previous two meetings.
Even though the result is unknown, one thing is for sure: we should be treated to an outpouring of offense. Both teams finished in the top five in the NFL last year for yards per game, and points scored per game, with the Chiefs topping both categories. In addition, neither team’s defence was able to finish in the top half of the league in preventing yards or points, with the Lions finishing in the bottom four in each category.
On the face of it, the Chiefs should win this game. Why? They are the Chiefs at home, and it’s against the Lions. As if more reason is needed, they have won eight games in a row, including two playoff games and the Superbowl. Then there is Patrick Mahomes, the greatest Quarterback on the planet, who has thrown at least three touchdown passes in five consecutive season openers. He also led the league in passing yards and touchdowns while piloting the NFL’s best offence.
With all of that to overcome, it seems unlikely the Lions have any chance. So, do they? The truth is that this is not the Lions of old. They ended last season on a hot steak, winning eight of their final 10 games. Their Quarterback, Jared Goff, isn’t bad either, as he has not thrown an interception in his last nine games, throwing a total of 324 passes without being picked off.
Additionally, the Lions had the fewest giveaways in the NFL last season, while the Chiefs were in the bottom third of the league in forcing them. The Lions are also a very aggressive team who are not afraid to take chances, which is something they will have to do to win. Last season, they went for it on fourth down more than twice a game, the third most in the league, while converting on over half of their attempts.
One final point of interest will be the Lions completely (unnecessarily) rebuilt backfield. They used a first-round pick on Jahmyr Gibbs and brought in accomplished veteran David Montgomery. Last season the Lions rushing attack averaged 128.2 yards per game. Good enough for the eleventh best. That wasn’t enough for head coach Dan Quinn, as they hope to improve on those numbers this season.
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