Lions vs. Chiefs Spread Prediction
The 2023 NFL season kicks off on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO, where the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs host the Lions at 8:20 p.m. ET. Is 4.5 too much to lay with the host Chiefs tonight?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
451 Detroit Lions (+4.5) at 452 Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5); o/u 53
8:20 p.m. ET, Thursday, September 7, 2023
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Lions vs. Chiefs Public Betting Information
Our NFL Public Betting Information page indicates that 55% of public bettors are currently backing the Chiefs when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Detroit Lions DFS Spin
Lions.com’s Tim Twentyman believes Jahmyr Gibbs could function as the team’s primary downfield pass-catching threat. With no Jameson Williams (suspension) and DJ Chark signing with Carolina this offseason, Detroit comes into 2023 without a clear-cut deep ball threat. Per Twentyman, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson “said vertical threats don’t have to be receivers so that’s one thing to watch out for with Gibbs.” Twentyman said Gibbs, the Lions’ first round pick, “made a ton of catches down the field in training camp and I think that’s something we could see that is a little unconventional from other pass-catching backs around the league.” It would be quite unique for a running back to serve as a team’s downfield pass catcher, and it wouldn’t necessarily be good for Gibbs’ fantasy prospects. Both Gibbs and backfield mate David Montgomery should be started in 12-team leagues this week against the Chiefs.
Kansas City Chiefs DFS Spin
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the Chiefs will “put star TE Travis Kelce through a workout this morning to test his injured knee” to determine his availability for Week 1 against the Lions. Football is officially back, but whether or not Kelce will be a part of the return is still up in the air. Kelce suffered a hyper-extended knee on Tuesday and is reportedly dealing with a bone bruise. It sounds like the Chiefs will give him every chance to prove he can go tonight, but giving him a week or two to fully recover may be the right move. Kelce could be a true game time decision for tonight’s opener against the Lions, which means fantasy managers should be ready to move him out of their lineups if he’s listed as an inactive before kickoff. Noah Gray would make for a solid streaming option if Kelce is unable to go.
Lions vs. Chiefs Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 5 games when playing Kansas City
Detroit is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City’s last 5 games when playing Detroit
Kansas City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Lions vs. Chiefs Prediction:
Give me the points tonight at Arrowhead. The Chiefs could be missing Kelce and stud defensive tackle Chris Jones (holdout) tonight when they take on a Lions team that played with a lot of grit in the second half of last season. The Lions’ weakness defensively is their run defense, but sticking with the run isn’t exactly Andy Reid’s strength as a play-caller. Patrick Mahomes will do Patrick Mahomes-like things tonight, but the Lions can hang with most teams offensively, especially when facing a Kansas City defense that could be missing its best player tonight.
NFL WEEK 1 PREDICTION: DETROIT LIONS +4.5
