At long last, football is back.
The 2023 NFL season will kick off Thursday night at the home of the reigning Super Bowl champions. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will welcome Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions under the bright lights at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to get the season going.
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The Chiefs have grown accustomed to the spotlight, reaching five consecutive AFC Championship Games and bringing home two Lombardi Trophies. Now, they will try to be the first team in nearly 20 years to successfully defend the Super Bowl title.
The Lions, on the other hand, are looking to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Dan Campbell’s squad nearly earned a postseason berth after a red-hot end to the 2022 regular season, and now it will look to build on that momentum to begin 2023.
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Here is everything to know for the 2023 NFL Kickoff Game between the Chiefs and Lions:
When is the Lions vs. Chiefs Week 1 game?
The NFL season will begin with the Lions-Chiefs game on Thursday, Sept. 7.
What time is the Lions vs. Chiefs Week 1 game?
Kickoff time for Lions-Chiefs is set for 8:20 p.m. ET.
How to watch Lions vs. Chiefs on NBC
Lions-Chiefs will air on NBC and Peacock. Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst) and Melissa Stark (sideline) will be on the call for the NFL Kickoff Game and for Sunday Night Football throughout the 2023 season.
Pregame coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET with Football Night in America as Maria Taylor, Chris Simms, Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, Mike Florio and Devin McCourty get you ready for the game.
How to stream Lions vs. Chiefs online
Fans can stream Lions-Chiefs on Peacock and NBC.com.
Key players for Lions vs. Chiefs
QB Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs: What does Mahomes have in mind for an encore after winning regular season MVP and Super Bowl MVP in the same year? The 27-year-old is already moving up the all-time ranks and is primed to build on his legacy in 2023.
TE Travis Kelce, Chiefs: The best tight end in football will not be on the field Thursday after suffering a bone bruise in his knee at practice this week. He was ruled out just before kickoff after pushing to play, but the Chiefs are opting to play it safe. That leaves Mahomes with a tight end group of Noah Gray, Blake Bell and Matt Mushman for opening night.
DT Chris Jones, Chiefs: The Chiefs have been unable to lock down their top defensive player long-term. All-Pro Chris Jones has been holding out this offseason, and without a contract resolution, he will not take the field to start the year. That means the Chiefs won't have two of their best players to start the season.
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions: The Lions landed a top receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft. Amon-Ra St. Brown has been a revelation in Detroit, picking up 196 receptions, 2,073 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns across his first two NFL seasons.
DE Aidan Hutchinson, Lions: The No. 2 overall pick from the 2022 NFL Draft was a welcome addition for the Lions’ defense. Still, Detroit was tied for third-worst in the league in points allowed per game last season, and Hutchinson will be relied upon to slow down opposing QBs – beginning with Mahomes.
