Roundtable: Lions Schedule Review, Odds of Defeating Chiefs
1.) What was your reaction to Lions' schedule?
Christian Booher: I think the Lions' schedule is very favorable. They draw their toughest divisional opponent, Minnesota, twice late in the year when they should be fully operational. It should be noted that they will play just one divisional game without suspended wide receiver Jameson Williams.
I also believe the home schedule is very favorable. It's not unrealistic to think they could go unbeaten at Ford Field in 2023. Each of the home games are winnable, with the tough tests coming mostly on the road.
Vito Chirco: For starters, I was shocked a bit by the sheer number of primetime games that the Lions received (four primetime and five nationally televised ones). It's a sign that the NFL is buying into the buzz created by Detroit's 8-2 finish to the 2022 season.
The Lions definitely have a few tough games on the schedule, including opening up the season against the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. However, I still believe that Dan Campbell's squad, with the expected weakened state of the NFC North, has the potential to go 11-6 in the upcoming season.
2.) Are the Lions' chances of beating the Chiefs enhanced by playing them in the opener?
Booher: I'm going to say the best chance is not playing them in the opener. Arrowhead Stadium is a notoriously tough place to play, and the home fans will be rocking as they celebrate their home team's Super Bowl victory.
Additionally, the Chiefs haven't lost a season opener since 2014. Patrick Mahomes shines on the big stage. The Lions will fight, as they have under Dan Campbell. But, it will be a tough task for them to win at Arrowhead in Week 1.
Chirco: I'm going to disagree with Christian on this one.
If I'm the Lions, I'd rather get the Chiefs in Week 1 when they're still celebrating their Super Bowl victory from the season prior and presumably not in full form or playoff form yet.
Facing Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champs is scary regardless of the time you face them, and trying to beat them is an unenviable task.
However, I'm going out on a limb here and willing to predict that Kansas City might take Detroit a little lightly in this season-opening contest, opening the door for the Lions to make it a game with the reigning world champions.
3.) If you were to go on the road for one Lions game this season, what would it be?
Booher: Lambeau Field is one of the most historic venues in the league. The atmosphere in Thursday prime time will likely be electric, and that is the game that I'd most like to be at on the road.
The matchup with Kansas City is a close second for similar reasons. Green Bay edges the Chiefs game only due to travel proximity and divisional history.
Other candidates I considered for this game were Dallas and New Orleans, as those are two stadiums I hope to visit at some point.
Chirco: It'd have to be Detroit's season-opening tilt with the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. The atmosphere at Arrowhead Stadium should be electric for the Chiefs, which will be honored for hoisting the Lombardi Trophy a season ago.
A close second to me would be traveling to "Jerry World" in Week 17 to watch the Lions take on the Dallas Cowboys. AT&T Stadium is supposed to be a state-of-the art facility, and the matchup potentially has playoff implications written all over it. Also, I'd just love to see Detroit beat Dallas, and punch its ticket to the playoffs subsequently.
4.) Sam LaPorta had a monstrous day at minicamp. How excited are you about his potential in this offense?
Booher: I think he could bring an impact similar to T.J. Hockenson. He's a fluid pass catcher with athleticism to make plays after the catch.
If he can provide a secondary target for Jared Goff, the Lions will have no trouble moving the ball down the field. This offense's potential is through the roof, and LaPorta at full strength only makes them better.
Chirco: Based on how good T.J. Hockenson and the rest of Detroit's tight ends were in Ben Johnson's offense a season ago, I'm very excited for LaPorta's potential.
Maybe I would've rather had Detroit select Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer in the second round of this past April's NFL Draft. However, regardless of that, I still think LaPorta has the potential to be a solid pass-catching tight end, with the ability to be a security blanket over the middle for Lions quarterback Jared Goff. I also believe the 6-foot-4, 240-plus-pounder can grown into a reliable red-zone target in Johnson's offense.
With all that said, I'm a big fan of LaPorta's potential.
5.) What caught your attention at rookie minicamp?
Booher: Though Jahmyr Gibbs' injury is not viewed as long term, it's disappointing that he wasn't able to participate during the rookies' first time together in front of reporters.
LaPorta was excellent, as was his Iowa teammate Jack Campbell. It did feel like a bit of a missed opportunity for undrafted free agent Adrian Martinez, who struggled. He has an outside chance to compete for a roster spot as the team's third quarterback, but he must be much better than he was Saturday.
Chirco: With Jahmyr Gibbs and Brian Branch being unable to participate in Day 2 of rookie minicamp Saturday, it really allowed former Iowa teammates Jack Campbell and Sam LaPorta a chance to showcase their respective skillsets. And boy, did they make the most of the opportunity.
Campbell displayed his ability to diagnose a play pre-snap. Meanwhile, LaPorta showcased his fluid route-running ability, among other things. It was an impressive performance from the two Iowa products and hopefully a sign of things to come.
