The Detroit Lions clash with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night. Week one is finally here, which means so is fantasy football. Detroit filled a lot of gaps in the offseason and are out to prove they are contenders. On the other side, the Chiefs are looking to replicate last season’s success and may enter week one without star tight end Travis Kelce, who hyperextended his knee.
Building a winning lineup is difficult when playing showdown. Deciphering who to set as captain and staying within the salary is time-consuming. No worries, though; we are going to break down the game and help you build a lineup that will cash. Let’s go!!!
Lions vs. Chiefs Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | ML |
| Detroit | +6.5
-110 |
O54.5
-110 |
+225 |
| Kansas City | -6.5
-110 |
U54.5
-110 |
-278 |
The experts have the O/U set at 54.5, which would indicate a high-scoring affair. My thought, though, is if Kelce can’t play, things shift drastically in favor of Detroit despite being on the road and facing Mahomes. Let’s see who our models are saying we should start, sit, fade, and someone we think will fare well on Thursday night.
Lions vs. Chiefs Start ‘Em
Detroit Lions
Jared Goff (QB)
Goff enters this one as an underrated quarterback who is surrounded by talent. Last year, he finished 4,438 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, which both rank in the top ten among eligible starters. He put up 340 total fantasy points last season, which averages out at 20 FPPG. He has a juicy matchup against a Chiefs defense that will likely be star defensive player Chris Jones and has a vulnerable secondary. Goff could easily pass for over 300 yards and 2-3 touchdowns.
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB)
Come on, this one is obvious! Detroit is biting at the bit to unleash their shiny new toy. With David Montgomery splitting the workload, I am still confident that the guy being compared to Alvin Kamara is a solid start. He is lightning-fast and can catch the ball, and I see coach Campbell utilizing him heavily, especially if they build a lead.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR)
Last year, St. Brown was absolutely unstoppable. He finished the season as WR7 with 1,161 yards and six touchdowns. He garnered a 28.1% target share last year, and I see more of the same this year. He averaged 11.0 yards per catch and 16.7 FPPG. This Chiefs secondary is weak, and I don’t see a defensive back that will be able to contain him.
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes (QB)
I am not too keen on Mahomes, especially if Travis Kelce is out. But he is a stud and is good at making something out of nothing. In 2022, he passed for 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns, making him QB1. Mahomes put up 416.4 fantasy points last season for a 24.5 FPPG average. His receiver corps is young and inexperienced, and he will have to work his Mahomes magic to replicate last year’s success.
Harrison Butker (K)
Yep! You read that right! With the receivers Mahomes has at his disposal, and Kelce questionable, Butker is a hot play. He has a monster leg, and last season, kickers took down contests as captain. He scored 98 total fantasy points last year for a 7.5 FPPG average. He hit 75% of his field goals and hit a career-long 62-yarder. The Lions have a good defense, and contrary to what others say, I see Mahomes and this Chiefs offense struggling in this one.
Skyy Moore (WR)
Skyy Moore: "That's a Hall of Fame Tight End, but we'll be able to do our job and pull across the finish line." — did note that Kelce limped off the field on his own accord. #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/MuXRcrlaLz
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) September 5, 2023
If Kelce can’t go, he is a must-start. He will be Mahomes’ go-to guy but has a tough assignment against this revamped Lions secondary. His projected volume alone makes it worth a spot in your lineups. Moore had a forgettable year in 2022 and only had 250 receiving yards and failed to reach the endzone. But he figures to see more targets and volume with Kadarius Toney and Richie James questionable. Moore will have a good game if they put him in the slot, where he excels.
Lions vs. Chiefs Sit ‘Em
Kadarius Toney (WR)
He is questionable with a knee injury, but if he is able to go, then he would be worth a second look. This Chiefs receiving corps is thin, and if Toney plays, I could see him being Mahomes’ main target. But again, the matchup is less than favorable. He has been unreliable in the past, but Andy Reid is the master of trick plays.
Kansas City DST
Andy Reid: There's been "no progress" with Chris Jones. https://t.co/gA8lKKFncT
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 5, 2023
You don’t have to listen, but I am telling you this Detroit offense is about to make a statement on Thursday Night and put the rest of the league on notice. They have one of the best offensive lines in the league, their tight ends and receiving corps are solid, and let’s not forget about Gibbs and Montgomery in the backfield. Kansas City will likely be without Chris Jones, who is the heart and soul of their defense. SIT THE DST!!!
Brock Wright (TE)
Wright is the projected starter, but with Sam LaPorta being so highly touted, I can’t trust he will get enough volume in this one. I actually think LaPorta will outperform him, but rookie tight ends have historically struggled in week one. The one who did do good was Lions’ rookie TJ Hockenson. Coincidence? I think not. If you want to start a tight end, take LaPorta.
Sleeper Pick
Marvin Jones Jr. (WR)
Detroit fans rejoice! Jones Jr. has returned to Motown, and with Jameson Williams suspended the first six games and St. Brown drawing the secondary’s attention; he could be in store for a huge game. Last season, in Jacksonville, he accrued 529 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He was buried in a lineup that featured Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram. That won’t be the case in Detroit for the first six games.
Fade of the Game
Isaiah Pacheco (RB)
Pacheco will be in nearly everyone’s lineup, and while he will probably be worth a start, you don’t win by tying. I prefer to be different and start Jerick McKinnon or rookie receiver Rashee Rice instead. Targeting the backup tight end, Noah Gray, would likely payoff if Kelce is, in fact, out. The key to winning showdowns is avoiding some of the chalk and relying on someone else you think will have a good game.
