Three Detroit Lions who must shine against the Kansas City Chiefs
Detroit GM Brad Holmes did not add a player from outside the organization via waiver claim or free agency following cutdown day. That's a sign he has confidence in his roster as the Lions prepare for their Week 1 opener Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
To pull off an upset, the Lions — a 4.5-point underdog, per OddsChecker — need outstanding performances from these three players:
Offense: QB Jared Goff
Coming off of his best season in Detroit, Goff must pick up where he left off in 2022, when he threw for 29 TDs and a career-low-tying seven interceptions. The former No. 1 overall pick's touchdown-to-interception ratio was best in the NFL last season.
Detroit's offensive line kept him clean in 2022, giving up only 24 sacks -- the second-best figure in the league, per StatMuse. The Chiefs will be without two of their best defensive linemen -- tackle Chris Jones (holdout) and end Charles Omenihu (suspended), an offseason signing in free agency -- so Goff should have time in the pocket.
Defense: End Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson, the defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up, led all first-year players in sacks with 9.5 last season. He could feast against Kansas City, which lost its starting offensive tackles from 2022 in free agency. Hutchinson will face new offensive tackles Donovan Smith, who struggled in Tampa Bay, and Jawaan Taylor, the former Jaguar.
The most favorable matchup for Hutchinson is against Smith, who had 12 penalties last season, including seven for holding. To become more explosive, Hutchinson has improved his pass-rush techniques and should pressure Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, who is impressed with the second-year player from Michigan.
Special teams: Kicker Riley Patterson
Despite a poor preseason, Patterson won the position battle against former XFL star Parker Romo.
Patterson has struggled to make field goals over 50 yards in his career, making two out of four field goals over 50 yards (50%). In the final preseason game, he missed a 53-yard field goal against the Panthers. It's his second stint with the team after they traded a seventh-round draft to get him back from the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason.
Patterson needs to make every opportunity to score points in Kansas City count. The game may come down to him making a kick late in the fourth quarter. If he continues to struggle from over 50 yards on Thursday night, it could cost the Lions the game and Patterson his job.
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