Bold Prediction: Lions Embarrass Chiefs on National Television

In front of their home fans, the Kansas City Chiefs could suffer one of their worst defeats at Arrowhead Stadium.

The time is now for the Detroit Lions to earn their respect across the National Football League.

Players in the locker room sense the magnitude of the game and are relishing the opportunity to play against the defending Super Bowl champions.

We're ready

I decided that if I was going to make a trip to cover an NFL game on the road this year, why not the season-opener.

Based on my propensity to be online quite a bit, I saw the recent issues with airlines and passengers with digestion issues or unforeseen issues with the weather or computers that can ground an entire fleet.

Not for me. I drove the 12 hours calmly, safety and very enjoyably from Detroit to Kansas City Wednesday.

After walking downtown with my lovely wife of 13 years, we came across another couple enjoying the views of Kansas City.

Predictions: Lions-Chiefs

Naturally, the ladies offered to take scenic photos for each other, as each happy couple just needed that lasting memory of the trip. And to be honest, it was a nice opportunity for a photo on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon.

After greetings, I said to the young man, who was donning a Lions hat, 'Hey Lions, One Pride.' He acknowledged and indicated he was a coach.

I had just driven 12 hours early in the morning, so it didn't hit me that he was actually a Lions assistant coach. A few moments later, I indicated I was a writer covering the team. We formally greeted again, with me now understanding who I was talking to.

A simple message was delivered from the Lions assistant before heading our separate ways: 'We're ready'.

The Lions want to prove themselves every week, while showing they have grown on both sides of the football.

"I think every week we’re trying to prove ourselves," said Ben Johnson. "Nothing really changes there. We can do well one week and not so well the next week. That happened last year to us. We had a couple games where we weren’t quite as productive on offense so each and every week is its own challenge. Just because we’re on the road game one, I don’t think that changes anything.

"We have high expectations. We want to do really well here on offense," Johnson continued. "I think we have a talented group of players that have experience and are really looking forward to the opportunity to show our growth from year one of this offense to year two.”

With the likelihood of Chris Jones being out and Travis Kelce not being fully healthy, the opportunity presents itself for the Lions to start fast and never let up.

While it would not be surprising at all if the game was close, a couple of costly mistakes or turnovers from the Chiefs could be all the Lions need to make the game out of reach and early.

It is going to be an all-day party for Chiefs supporters before kickoff.

What a sound it would be if the only cheers that occurred during the game were from supporters of the Lions, who are going to be visiting Arrowhead in droves.