Winners and Losers of Lions' Upset of Chiefs: Kadarius Toney's Drops and Other Key Miscues

The Detroit Lions upset the Kansas City Chiefs in the first game of the 2023 NFL season, with Lions quarterback Jared Goff impressing.

Lorenzo Reyes is here with his expert predictions for the upcoming 2023-2024 NFL season. Let's start with his picks for Week 1 of the NFL.

The NFL made its return on Thursday with an exciting season opener between the Detroit Lions and the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. In a surprising turn of events, the Lions pulled off a 21-20 upset victory.

In the NFL, every game holds significant importance compared to regular-season contests in other sports. The winners and losers of each game go beyond the scoreboard. This was evident at Arrowhead Stadium, where various factors influenced the final outcome. Let's take a closer look at the winners and losers of the evening:

Jared Goff had an impressive performance as the Lions' quarterback. Despite not playing in the preseason, he continued his Pro Bowl form from 2022, throwing for 253 yards and a touchdown while protecting the ball effectively.

The Chiefs' defense faced challenges with the absence of All-Pro DT Chris Jones, who was holding out, and suspended DE Charles Omenihu, one of their key offseason signings. Despite these setbacks, the defense held up well, only allowing two touchdowns.

The AFC hopefuls, including teams like the Jets, Bills, Bengals, Ravens, and Jaguars, had reason to celebrate the Chiefs' stumble. A weak start for the defending champions opens up opportunities for other teams in the highly competitive conference.

The Lions' rookies showcased their potential, even though they didn't dominate the game. RB Jahmyr Gibbs had 60 yards on nine touches, TE Sam LaPorta made five catches for 39 yards, and DB Brian Branch scored a 50-yard pick-six. These players have the ability to make a significant impact in the future, and Branch's cramping issue is expected to resolve before Week 2.

The Detroit Lions' 1-0 start is a positive sign for head coach Dan Campbell, who won his opener for the first time in his third season. After slow starts in previous seasons, the Lions could be on their way to winning their first NFC North crown in franchise history.

On the other hand, the Kansas City Chiefs' 0-1 start is significant for Patrick Mahomes and the team's quest to win back-to-back Lombardi Trophies. Since the NFL expanded to 32 teams in 2022, teams that win their openers have a higher chance of making the playoffs, while teams that start 0-1 have a lower chance. The Chiefs had won their last eight season debuts before this loss.

Mahomes' performance in Week 1 was disappointing for his fantasy owners. It was the first time in his career that he didn't throw for at least three touchdowns in a season opener. He also threw his first Week 1 interception, which Brian Branch returned for a touchdown. His quarterback rating of 77.5 fell short of his usual high standards.

This game between Goff and Mahomes was not as memorable as their previous meeting in 2018 when Goff's Rams defeated Mahomes' Chiefs 54-51 in a historic high-scoring affair. While this recent game was entertaining, it couldn't match the excitement of their previous encounter.

Defending Super Bowl champions losing on opening night has become a trend, as the Chiefs suffered the same fate for the second consecutive year. Although it's unlikely that the Chiefs will have a season as disastrous as the Rams' 5-12 title defense in 2022, it's still not an ideal start for the reigning champions.

The Chiefs' young wide receivers struggled without All-Pro TE Travis Kelce, with none of them recording more than three receptions. Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney, expected to be the team's top receivers going forward, combined for just one catch for one yard. Toney's costly drops were particularly concerning.

The Chiefs' decision to switch their starting offensive tackles, LT Orlando Brown Jr. and RT Andrew Wylie, from their Super Bowl 57 lineup did not yield the desired results. The new tackles, LT Donovan Smith and RT Jawaan Taylor, didn't allow any sacks on Mahomes but incurred penalties on the team's final drive. Taylor's questionable alignment and false start penalty will likely be targeted by opponents in future games.

The choice to play Metallica's "Enter Sandman" as the Chiefs entered the field before kickoff didn't resonate with the Arrowhead crowd. This song has become synonymous with Virginia Tech's football team and the entrance of Mariano Rivera, the legendary New York Yankees closer. The Chiefs should stick to their signature in-game atmosphere instead of borrowing from college football traditions.

The Chiefs' offense struggled without Travis Kelce, whose absence had a significant impact on their performance. Kelce's connection with Mahomes on the field was sorely missed, and the team's disjointed attack, combined with the departure of former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, hindered their ability to adapt quickly. The Chiefs only managed to score two touchdowns and failed to convert any of their seven third-down attempts after halftime. This level of performance falls far below their usual high standards.

In conclusion, the Lions' upset victory and the Chiefs' disappointing start to the season have set the stage for an exciting and unpredictable 2023-2024 NFL season. As the weeks progress, it will be interesting to see how these teams and players bounce back from their Week 1 performances.

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