Year 3 of the Dan Campbell era at Detroit begins on Thursday when the Detroit Lions hit the road to face the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 NFL Kickoff Game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Two years ago, the Lions went 3-13-1 in Campbell’s first season as a head coach. Last year they went 9-8 and narrowly missed out on the playoffs. This year Detroit enters the season hoping to reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season. Meanwhile Andy Reid and the Chiefs are looking to make another deep playoff run after winning their second Super Bowl title in four years.
Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. Kansas City is a 6.5-point favorite in the latest Lions vs. Chiefs odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 54.5. Before you make any Chiefs vs. Lions picks or NFL predictions of your own, you need to see what proven SportsLine NFL expert R.J. White has to say, given his mastery of picks involving Detroit.
White, a Fantasy and gambling editor for CBS Sports, consistently crushes against-the-spread picks and went 535-450-30 on his ATS picks from 2017-22, which returned more than $3,500 to $100 players. He also closed the 2022 NFL season on an incredible 107-80-6 run on his last 193 against-the-spread and total NFL picks, returning more than $1,800 for $100 bettors.
Moreover, White has a read on the pulse of the Lions. He is 53-35-2 (+1462) on his last 90 picks in games involving Detroit. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, White has locked in on Lions vs. Chiefs from every angle and just locked in his NFL Kickoff Game 2023 picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Lions vs. Chiefs:Â
- Lions vs. Chiefs spread: Kansas City -6.5
- Lions vs. Chiefs over/under: 54.5 points
- Lions vs. Chiefs money line: Kansas City -292, Detroit +235
- KC: Patrick Mahomes led the league in passing yards (5,250) last season
- DET: Jared Goff tied for fifth in the NFL in passing touchdowns (29) last year
- Lions vs. Chiefs picks: See picks at SportsLineÂ
Why the Chiefs can cover
Kansas City’s offense has been prolific in season-openers behind quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Since he became the team’s starter in 2018, the Chiefs are averaging 37.8 points per game in Week 1. They’re 5-0 in those games, winning by an average of 13.0 points.
One of the key cogs of that offensive success is Travis Kelce. One of the best tight ends in the history of the league, Kelce led all tight ends in receptions (110), yards (1,338) and touchdowns (12) last season. For his efforts, he was named first-team All-Pro for the fourth time in his career. See which team to back here.
Why the Lions can cover
Detroit does a strong job protecting its quarterbacks. Led by tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell, the Lions gave up just 24 sacks last season, which ranked second in the league behind only the Buccaneers. Detroit also ranked ninth in the NFL in percentage of drop-backs a QB was pressured by opposing defenses (30.1).
In addition, Aidan Hutchinson should only be better in his second season. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hutchinson had a monstrous rookie season with 52 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries while playing 84% of the defensive snaps. For his efforts last season, he finished second in the voting for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. See which team to pick here.
How to make Lions vs. Chiefs picks
White has analyzed this matchup and while we can tell you he’s leaning Over the point total, he has also discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He’s sharing what it is, and which side to back, only at SportsLine.
Who wins Chiefs vs. Lions, and which critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Chiefs vs. Lions spread hits hard, all from the expert who is 53-35 on picks involving Detroit, and find out.
