Why NFL picked Lions-Chiefs for season opener

There’s extra details about why the NFL selected the Detroit Lions to face the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the 2023 regular-season opener on Sept. 7. 

As shared by Charles Goldman of Chiefs Wire/USA At this time, NFL vice chairman of broadcast Onnie Bose defined throughout an look on “The Dan Patrick Present” that the league did kick round totally different concepts, corresponding to having Kansas Metropolis host the Cincinnati Bengals in a rematch of the AFC Championship Recreation in Week 1. 

“…As we went by way of the method, the Lions had been a type of groups that we left in there,” Bose continued. “And we actually just like the narrative round that point, the tradition that they’re constructing there. The best way they completed their season, eight wins out of their final 9 of 10 video games.” 

Bose famous that the Lions gave even informal followers a regular-season finale to recollect on “Sunday Evening Soccer” once they defeated the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Lambeau Discipline in Week 18 this previous January. Detroit had been eradicated from postseason rivalry earlier that afternoon, whereas Inexperienced Bay would’ve certified for the playoffs with a victory over the Lions. 

“We actually like that,” Bose mentioned of Detroit’s struggle to maintain its hated rival out of the postseason event. “There’s a number of vitality there and we really feel actually good about beginning the season with that vitality towards the Tremendous Bowl champs.” 

The Lions ended the 2022 season with a 9-8 document and have since turn out to be arguably the highest underdog darlings amongst insiders and reporters. For this week’s version of his “Soccer Morning in America” column, NBC Sports activities’ Peter King listed the Lions at sixth in his total energy rankings. 

“Beloved ‘em with their 8-2 document after Halloween,” King wrote of Detroit. “I nonetheless discover myself smitten with the Lions.” 

Bose talked about that any recreation that includes reigning NFL Most Helpful Participant Patrick Mahomes and the defending Tremendous Bowl champions will draw “a excessive quantity of consideration” and get “a number of viewership.” 

Thus, it’s attention-grabbing the NFL needs that focus on each the Chiefs and the Lions on the season’s opening evening.