7. Improved secondary
The Lions had a horrible pass defense last year, that’s been well documented. But they have revamped their secondary.
“They're just better,” Lions QB coach Mark Brunell said. “They're just better which is exciting. And sticky would be the word.”
8. Lions added explosive weapons
Here’s my prediction: the Lions are gonna line rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs up all over the field and have him streak down the field — using his speed and stretching the field.
“I think (deep passing threats) can come from a number of different positions,” Johnson told reporters. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be the receiver spot, but I feel comfortable with what we’ve done here in training camp that we’ve got plenty of guys that can stretch the field vertically, so I’m not really concerned about that early in the season here.”
9. Goff is better
Listen, if the Lions turns the ball over, they have no chance on Thursday. But if Goff can play smart, which is how he played at the end of last season, they have a shot.
“He's more comfortable,” Brunell said. “He's very confident. He knows what we're trying to do, who we're trying to get the ball to. Not just the X's and O's, but the intent of why we're calling this play. Why we are approaching the Kansas City Chiefs with this type of game plan. What are we trying to attack, just a bigger picture and a greater understanding of what we're trying to accomplish."
The last time Goff and Mahomes played, it turned into the third-highest scoring game of all time. Goff and the Rams beat Mahomes, 54-51. So, Goff won't freak out in this setting.
10. One hand helps the other
So, the Lions' defense is better. That seems evident. But there is a side benefit.
That has actually made the offense better in practice.
“They made training camp very challenging,” Brunell said. “The ball has to be on time, and it has to be accurate — this training camp. If it wasn't, then it wasn't going to be a completed pass. They were always around the ball.”
11. Hutch a year older
Aidan Hutchinson is entering his second season, a year wiser. And an improved secondary could help him get more sacks.
12. Lions have ball hawks
NFL games usually come down to a few plays.
And the easiest way to flip a game is a turnover.
The Lions' improved secondary has a couple of ball hawks in Kerby Joseph, who had four interceptions in 2022, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who had six.
“I do believe that we’ve got some playmakers back there on the backend," Campbell said. "So I think we’re much better suited than we’ve been here to come up with some — man, you get some tipped balls, overthrows, get a hand on a ball that we’re going to come down with those, and not only there on the backend, but I think we’ll have the ability to squeeze the pocket on these guys and just really all year I believe we’ll be able to do that with our front. And so, that bodes well to getting some takeaways, those two things.”
13. Detroit vs. the universe
My final reason isn’t really a reason. Maybe, it’s more of a plea to the universe.
Can’t Detroit get this, just one time?
Can’t Detroit have a magical season, right from the start?
Can’t everything align?
After all the suffering and losing, can't we have nice things, just once?
Yes, sir.
Lions 38, Chiefs 35.
Contact Jeff Seidel at jseidel@freepress.com or follow him @seideljeff.
For openers: Chiefs
Matchup: Lions (9-8 in 2022) vs. Kansas City (14-3 in 2022), season opener.
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. Thursday; Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri.
TV/radio: NBC; WXYT-FM (97.1).
Line: Chiefs by 6½.
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