The NFL has made a spectacle of the annual May schedule release, and I cannot say I blame them. They do it because we are all addicted and we will watch the March Madness-like release shows. It was not too long ago that the schedule was released in April and it was almost something you talked about in passing to your co-workers or friends.
There are some great nuggets to take from the Chiefs’ schedule, even though we all knew the opponents before last week. On the surface, the first nine games seem very winnable, with a potential trap game or two sprinkled in. After the bye week, it begins to heat up with matchups such as the Eagles, Bills, and Bengals. Luckily for the Chiefs, all three of those Games are at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Let’s take a look in-depth at the changes for the Detroit Lions this offseason and what to expect in Week 1.
That is a simplistic view of the schedule, but let’s get even more simplistic. The Chiefs cannot gameplan for the Chargers in Week 7 in August, for example. There is too much chaos that goes on in the NFL that could happen between now and October 22nd. So, what do you think Andy Reid and company are going to prepare for all summer? As the old adage goes, he will focus on one game at a time, beginning with the Detroit Lions.
Some were caught off guard by this matchup, but the fact of the matter is that tens of millions of people will watch the game, no matter who the Chiefs played as long as the opponent is halfway decent. There’s no use in starting with a marquee game.
The NFL chose to ride the hot hand as the Lions won eight of their last ten games last season. They are somewhat of an off-season darling and we should expect to see sparks fly.
The Chiefs finished the 2022 season averaging 29.2 points per game, which was the best in the league. Detroit was not too far behind averaging 26.6 and finishing 5th. Not to mention, the last time Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes faced off, they combined for 11 total touchdowns and 891 passing yards. My jaw is still on the floor re-reading these stat lines and realizing 105 points were scored between the Rams and the Chiefs that night.
The league office loves offense and with the juggernaut that is the Reid and Mahomes-led group, facing a young and talented Lions offense, they should get what they want the people to see.
Detroit is fresh off a draft in which they selected running back Jahmyr Gibbs out of Alabama even after adding a talented rusher in former Chicago Bear, David Montgomery.
Sure, Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift departed but the Lions have a clear identity with a thunder and lighting approach in Montgomery and Gibbs now. Montgomery can bulldoze through and get those tough yards, while Gibbs is being compared to an Alvin Kamara-type of back.
The Chiefs matchup well however with the likes of linebackers Nick Bolton and the new addition of former Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill. Tranquil was the 12th-best linebacker in coverage and Bolton was the 10th-best in rush defense, according to PFF.
They followed up the backfield additions by drafting an Iowa Hawkeye tight end in the second round with Sam LaPorta. Detroit’s 2022 first-round wide receiver Jameson Williams will not suit up against the Chiefs as he is suspended for the first six games, but they are returning third-year wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. Brown followed up a solid rookie season to the tune of 106 receptions for 1,161 yards and six touchdowns in 2022.
This could be the best defense Patrick Mahomes has played alongside since taking over as the starter in 2018. The defensive line has an all-pro defensive tackle in Chris Jones, two straight first-round pass rushers in Felix Anudike-Uzomah and George Karlaftis, and a new hybrid inside-outside defensive lineman in Charles Omenihu.
They’re also bringing back incumbent cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie, who is poised to take a step forward. The defensive back room also added ball-hawking safety Mike Edwards to team up with Bryan Cook and Justin Reid.
Andy Reid with a whole summer to prepare is something to be afraid of if you are Detroit, even if you are an up-and-coming squad. The Dan Campbell-led Lions will put up a fight, but I like the Chiefs to seal a victory on banner night with a prolific score of 38-27.
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