Predictions for Chiefs’ Week 1 matchup vs. Lions
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports activities
Can the Chiefs win this recreation with out Chris Jones and Travis Kelce? Effectively, it may not be fairly, however sure, they will. The Andy Reid-led Chiefs have solely misplaced as soon as in Week 1 in 10 seasons. They’ve had months to recreation plan for this matchup, and whereas that recreation plan doubtless included Jones and Kelce, I don’t assume their absences will trigger them to deviate from the plan an excessive amount of.
Patrick Mahomes will nonetheless take what the protection offers him, even when it’s Justyn Ross or Richie James or whomever he’s throwing to. Then he’ll stretch the sphere. That’s the place Marquez Valdes-Scantling is available in. The very fact is, even with out Kelce, Mahomes nonetheless has a fantastic rapport with loads of these guys. He’ll make it work.
Defensively, I anticipate coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to get artistic and possibly slightly loopy. He’ll throw bizarre blitz packages at Jared Goff. And whereas Goff is nice and may be capable to get his yards, I don’t assume he’ll be capable to sustain with Pat.
Chiefs 35, Lions 31
