It’s time to kick off our 2023 schedule preview series, taking an early look at each of the Kansas City Chiefs’ regular season opponents.
As the defending Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs get to host the NFL’s Thursday night season opener. The young, up-and-coming Detroit Lions will make their way to Arrowhead Stadium, coming off of a resurging 2022 season where they just narrowly missed the playoffs at 9-8.
Last season the Lions started off poorly with a 1-6 record. It seemed to be another “same old Lions” story, but then they went on a tear and won six of their next seven games. They finished the season winning eight out of 10, including a road victory over the Green Bay Packers in the season finale.
Detroit finished 2022 with the fourth-ranked overall offense in the NFL, ranking fourth in yards and fifth in points. Its Achilles heel, however, was their defense, which ranked dead last in the league.
Naturally, the Lions attacked free agency with defense in mind. They signed a pair of solid cornerbacks in Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley. They also signed Swiss army knife safety/nickel CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Detroit then selected linebacker Jack Campbell with one of their two first-round picks, while also drafting safety Brian Branch in the second round. Both should make immediate impacts.
On the offensive side, the Lions lost their top two running backs. Jamaal Williams, who out of nowhere led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2022. Then, D’Andre Swift, who they traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. In order to replace them, they signed veteran running back David Montgomery with electric first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs. They also selected tight end Sam LaPorta in the second round, who will be a day-one starter.
Let’s take a look at some of the Lions’ key players and their outlooks heading into the 2023 NFL season: