The National Football League (NFL) returned for season No. 104 after a pause of nearly six months, a flurry of deals, and a drama-filled offseason.
The Super Bowl champions now open the football season with the traditional curtain raiser, which this year has the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Detroit Lions.
The energy at Arrowhead Stadium will be tremendous as the Chiefs attempt to become the first team to run it back after the New England Patriots in the years 2003 and 2004. Patrick Mahomes and company will be returning to Missouri as champions.
How to watch the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Detroit Lions?
On Thursday, September 7, at Kansas City, Missouri’s Arrowhead Stadium, the NFL regular season kicks off. The game is scheduled to start at 8:20 ET.
In the US, NBC and Peacock will broadcast the first episode of the season.
NFL Game Pass on DAZN is another option for spectators outside of the US to follow the action.
How each team did last year
In 2022–2023, the Kansas City Chiefs had a season to remember.
After going 14-3 during the regular season, the Chiefs, who were led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, had the joint-best record in the NFL.
After defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City advanced to Super Bowl LVII where it defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in a thrilling match.
On Thursday, the Detroit Lions finished the 2022 season with a 9-8 record & second place in the National Football Conference (NFC) North division, having shown some promise in what was otherwise a disappointing season compared to their rivals.
The Lions will want to do better this time around after failing to make the playoffs the last time.
What to watch for?
The current NFL MVP, Patrick Mahomes, will perform in front of his home crowd in the first game of the year.
In 2020, the 27-year-old contributed to ending Kansas City’s 50-year NFL title drought, and ever since, his Chiefs’ performances have made him a local hero.
Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to their second championship in four seasons after the team defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in an exciting, tremendously high-scoring contest in Super Bowl LIV.
In an offensive showdown for the ages, Mahomes faced off against Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, and the veteran outlasted the new kid on the block.
The third-highest-scored Super Bowl of all time saw the Chiefs prevail 38-35 as Mahomes once again dazzled with his diverse offensive toolkit, despite an ankle ailment that limited his movement.
Due to crucial outings like these, the two-time MVP has recently taken on the role of the league’s face and at times appears to be playing a different game than the other players.
As the new season begins, Mahomes will be hoping to have another outstanding year and guide the Chiefs to what he hopes would be another Super Bowl victory.
Travis Kelce will be included?
The injury to tight end Travis Kelce on Tuesday casts a shadow over the Chiefs’ season opening and could last longer.
“Kelce hyperextended his knee today,” Kansas City coach Andy Reid said to the media after the game. Just wait and see how he performs in the future.
Even while the star tight end’s participation in Thursday’s season opener is still uncertain, there is good news for Chiefs supporters as the injury does not appear to be a long-term issue, according to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport & Tom Pelissero.
Cubs growing up to become lions
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs stand out among the Lions’ roster’s exciting talent the most.
St. Brown, a wide receiver with exceptional talent, is expected to have a standout season in Detroit following a breakthrough year the previous year. In a challenging environment, the 23-year-old will try to start his campaign strong.
With the No. 12 pick in the 2023 draft, running back Gibbs is expected to pose a challenge for opposing defenses.
Despite having a smaller physique than most players, the 21-year-old poses a real threat because of his lightning-fast footwork. He will try to make an impression on the rest of the league by playing in his first NFL game.
Fans around the world will be thrilled by the return of America’s biggest sport, regardless of what happens on Thursday night.