By: Jeremy T. Ballreich
The Detroit Lions will be traveling on Wednesday to Kansas City to face off in the season opener versus the defending Super Bowl Champs the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs were the number 1 scoring offense last season, and Detroit was the 3rd scoring offense.
The biggest question is whether Kelce is going to be out or not after hyper extending his knee during Tuesday’s practice preparing to face the Lions. Kelce is the number 1 receiving target in the Chiefs Offense with so much movement this offseason. Plus Chris Jones is wanting to be the highest paid DT in the league. He’s holding out and is not on the active roster. If Kelce is out this game. The impact of this cannot be understated. Because Kelce led all TEs in the league with yards (1338) and Touchdowns (12). It will be a big blow to what they do offensively. The still have Isaiah Pacheco slated to be the RB1. Backed up by Clyde Edwards-Hellaire. But they were near the bottom of the league in team rushing last season with a little over 1500 yards.
Chiefs Defense: While they did great last season. They are missing 2 key pressure creators on that Defense. Last season Chris Jones was the best Interior Defensive Lineman in the NFL, 3rd best defender overall with 93.3 PFF rate. The other that was lost to free agency was Frank Clark. The Chiefs started last season with Chris Jones moved to DE. There wasn’t much pressure happening until they moved him back to his dominant position of DT. They do have 2 decent LBs in Willie Gay and Nik Bolton. But also have the youngest starting secondary in the league.
So the keys to the game.
Run the ball to the void left by Jones right up the gut. So that the league leading play action passer, who is none other than Jared Goff can make some magic happen with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs and company. David Montgomery will finally have good Oline to run behind and should have a decent game.
Last Season despite not stopping a lot of teams (28th in scoring defense, 32nd Passing Defense, 30th Rushing Defense). The Lions bolstered their weakest room in the defense this year with Cam Sutton, Brian Branch, and Chauncey Gardener-Johnson (CJGJ). Should help the team who had the most QB pressures in the league get some lacking coverage sacks compared to last year.
Keep Mahomes frustrated with the pressure.
If everything goes well. I expect a close shootout type of game. In the high 20s to low 30s.
If the Lions follow it
DET 31
KC 27
If they don’t
DET 28
K C 35
Thanks for Reading!!!
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