NFL exec: Lions have ‘earned’ the right to open NFL season vs Chiefs

In case you were wondering why the Detroit Lions were awarded with the season-opening game, the head of NFL’s broadcasting spoke glowingly about the team.

Mike North sounded pleased any of the potential competitors who could have opened the 2023 season against the Kansas City Chiefs.. Of course, he’s not going to say otherwise as a the Vice President of Broadcast Planning for the National Football League.

The NFL recently unveiled their 2023 regular-season schedule last Thursday during a three-hour broadcast that showcased the best games for all 18 weeks of the year. The opening game, however, was leaked earlier that day when it was revealed that the Chiefs would host the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium to start the year after winning the Super Bowl last winter.

The announcement of the Lions as the opponent was a bit of a surprise given the list of potential opponents who could have packed that primetime showing. After all, they had a second-place finish just last year after four consecutive seasons in the NFC North basement. Compared to heavier hitters like the L.A. Chargers, Buffalo Bills, or Cincinnati Bengals—to showcase some examples—the Lions were a surprise.

But North says not so fast. He admits that others would have been “great”, too, and even mentions another NFC opponent as one matchup they liked. “We looked at Philly, would’ve been fun for a Super Bowl rematch, just kind of pick up where we left off in February.” In the end, North defended Philly as a red hot team who will be interesting for this season.

“The last time we saw the Lions they were winning eight of 10 and going into Lambeau and ruining the Packers season. They’ve earned this. They have earned this spotlight, they have earned this platform.”

The Lions went 9-8 last season and missed the playoffs, but they did win 8 of their final 10 games after a 1-6 start. They swept the Packers and also knocked off playoff teams like the Jaguars, Vikings, and Giants.