Getty Image / Stacy Revere
The NFL schedules are slowly trickling in as some of the primetime games for the 2023 season are being revealed.
It will all kick off with a Thursday night matchup between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs.
However, Detroit is a franchise that rarely receives primetime games. With that in mind, it seems people are convinced the league views the Lions as a true contender by giving them the season opener matchup with the Chiefs.
We’re kicking things off! @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/TJTXvjwAUT
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 11, 2023
Typically the league gives the most exciting or competitive teams the most primetime games. For that reason, fans think the Lions might actually be a threat in the 2023 season.
NFL schedule leak: The defending Super Bowl Champion #Chiefs will open up the 2023 NFL season on Thursday Night, September 7th against …. the Detroit Lions.
League is buying into the Lions hype. @Schultz_Report was on it. pic.twitter.com/PbUH5IGTMM
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 11, 2023
The history of these two teams are completely opposite of each other. Kansas City has won two Super Bowls recently. Meanwhile, Detroit has a long history of failure.
Even so, both of these teams have very high powered offenses. So, at the very least, this Lions-Chiefs season opener should be an exciting matchup.
With that said, Detroit might just be one of the best teams in the league in 2023.
The Lions hype has officially peaked https://t.co/IV9rSsUp77
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) May 11, 2023
It might be too early in the season for this kind of take. But fans are buying into it.
The game that will cement the Lions as Super Bowl contenders. https://t.co/YJ26S1CX6d
— Josh Augdahl 〽️ (@UMFanAugdahl) May 11, 2023
Some sports analysts have jokes about it though.
The Detroit Lions finding out they play the Chiefs on ring night pic.twitter.com/B4d4hk3s8v
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladdtv) May 11, 2023
Ending last season with a primetime game and playing a primetime matchup for the 2023 season opener is only good news for the Lions.
The Detroit Lions had the NFL regular season finale in Primetime ending Aaron Rodgers’ career as a Green Bay Packer
Now, they have the NFL regular season opener on Thursday Night Football vs. the Super Bowl Champs Kansas City Chiefs
The Detroit Lions are back. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/A3CpLSJ98t
— Booner (@boonersports) May 11, 2023
Clearly, Detroit is catching the eye of the matchmakers. Rumors are they’ll have multiple primetime games in the upcoming season. If that’s the case, then the Lions may just be contenders.
We won’t know for sure though until the season plays out.