Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) rolls out in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

NFL Week 1 lines: Eagles, Chiefs open season as favorites

The opening week of the 2025 regular season features spotlight games in Philadelphia, Sao Paulo, Buffalo and Chicago, and oddsmakers generally leaned toward the home teams with the early lines released Wednesday.

The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles are a seven-point favorite over the Dallas Cowboys in the 2025 Kickoff Game, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are road favorites against the New York Jets in the only game with a point total under 40 in Week 1.

Here’s a full rundown of 2025 odds (courtesy of FanDuel) for all games scheduled Sept. 4-8:

Thursday, Sept. 4

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5)

8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

Money line: Eagles -330, Cowboys +265

Total: 46.5 points

Friday, Sept. 5

Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5) vs. Los Angeles Chargers

8 p.m. ET on YouTube, Corinthians Arena, Sao Paulo

Money line: Chiefs -142, Chargers +120

Total: 44.5 points

Sunday, Sept. 7

New York Giants at Washington Commanders (-7)

1 p.m. ET, Northwest Stadium, Landover, Md.

Money line: Commanders -350, Giants +280

Total: 45.5 points

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5) at Atlanta Falcons

1 p.m. ET, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Money line: Buccaneers -126, Falcons +108

Total: 48.5 points

Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5)

1 p.m. ET, EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville

Money line: Jaguars -144, Panthers +122

Total: 46.5 points

Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts (-1)

1 p.m. ET, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

Money line: Dolphins -104, Colts -116

Total: 45.5 points

Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots (-2)

1 p.m. ET, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.

Money line: Patriots -156, Raiders +132

Total: 43.5 points

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) at New York Jets

1 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.

Money line: Steelers -156, Jets +132

Total: 39.5 points

Cincinnati Bengals (-5.5) at Cleveland Browns

1 p.m. ET, Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland

Money line: Bengals -240, Browns +198

Total: 45.5 points

Arizona Cardinals (-4.5) at New Orleans Saints

1 p.m. ET, Caesars Superdome, New Orleans

Money line: Cardinals -200, Saints +168

Total: 41.5 points

San Francisco 49ers (-1.5) at Seattle Seahawks

4:05 p.m. ET, Lumen Field, Seattle

Money line: 49ers -124, Seahawks +106

Total: 45.5 points

Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos (-7)

4:05 p.m. ET, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver

Money line: Broncos -350, Titans +280

Total: 41.5 points

Detroit Lions (-1.5) at Green Bay Packers

4:25 p.m. ET, Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.

Money line: Lions -122, Packers +104

Total: 49.5 points

Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams (-2.5)

4:25 p.m. ET, Sofi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.

Money line: Rams -146, Texans +124

Total: 46.5 points

Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills (-1.5)

8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y.

Money line: Bills -122, Ravens +104

Total: 51.5 points

Monday, Sept. 8

Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) at Chicago Bears

8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC, Soldier Field, Chicago

Money line: Vikings -110, Bears -106

Total: 45.5 points

–Field Level Media

Dec 19, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA;  Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) celebrates as he leaves the field after defeating the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

YouTube will stream Week 1 NFL Brazil game for free

YouTube will stream the NFL’s Week 1 game in Brazil to a worldwide audience for free, the NFL announced on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Chargers are scheduled to play at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on Friday, Sept. 5. Their opponent has been rumored to be the Kansas City Chiefs, but the NFL is not releasing its full schedule until Wednesday night.

This will mark the first exclusive NFL game to be streamed live and for free in its entirety on YouTube and YouTube TV.

“We are excited to expand our relationship with YouTube to bring this year’s Brazil game to a worldwide audience,” said Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s executive vice president of media distribution. “YouTube and YouTube TV have been incredible partners of the NFL for several years and boast an immense global reach, and we look forward to Week 1 in Sao Paulo.”

The NFL played its first game in Brazil to help kick off the 2024 season, with the Philadelphia Eagles defeating the Green Bay Packers 34-29 in Sao Paulo on Sept. 6.

YouTube and YouTube TV have been the home of NFL Sunday Ticket since the start of the 2023 season. The NFL’s official YouTube channel has more than 14 million subscribers.

“Last year, people spent over 350 million hours watching official NFL content on YouTube, so it’s both fitting and thrilling to continue to build our relationship with our partners at the NFL,” said Mary Ellen Coe, chief business officer for YouTube.

“Streaming the Friday night game to fans for free around the world will mark YouTube’s first time as a live NFL broadcaster — and we’ll do it in a way that only YouTube can, with an interactive viewing experience and creators right at the center of the experience.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 7, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) celebrates after winning the 2024 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Showdown between LSU, Clemson highlights Week 1 coverage on ABC

A likely top-10 matchup highlights the opening week of prime-time Saturday college football coverage on ABC this season, as LSU will visit Clemson in South Carolina on Aug. 30.

The matchup will feature two highly touted quarterbacks in Garrett Nussmeier and Cade Klubnik, respectively.

The battle of the Tigers takes center stage at 7:30 p.m. ET, with ABC’s other Saturday coverage during Week 1 featuring Syracuse against Tennessee in Atlanta (noon ET) followed by Alabama at Florida State at 3:30 p.m. ET.

The next day, Notre Dame will take on Miami in Coral Gables, Fla., at 7:30 p.m. ET, which will follow Virginia Tech against South Carolina in Atlanta on 3 p.m. ET. Bill Belichick’s anticipated North Carolina debut will air on ABC on Labor Day, with the Tar Heels hosting TCU in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Opening week will kick off on Thursday, Aug. 28, with a doubleheader consisting of Boise State at South Florida (5:30 p.m. ET) and Nebraska versus Cincinnati (9 p.m. ET) in Kansas City, Mo.

What makes Aug. 30 a little more special is that ESPN announced that day’s edition of College GameDay will be the last for 89-year-old Lee Corso, leading many to believe that the show will broadcast from Florida State, where Corso played from 1953-57.

The full broadcast lineups for the first three weeks at each major network are expected to be announced on May 29.

–Field Level Media

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) hands the ball off as coach Jim Harbaugh watches during organized team activities at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chargers begin Jim Harbaugh era, welcome Raiders to L.A.

Last season was good enough the Raiders asked Antonio Pierce to stay after the Los Angeles Chargers went to surprising means to secure Jim Harbaugh as their new head coach.

Pierce, the interim for the final two months last season, faces Harbaugh and the Chargers in the regular-season opener Sunday in a game each team hopes to use as a statement.

Pierce put his staff on the “Beat L.A.” assignment more than two weeks ago due to the unique situation of facing a team for the first time with a coach imported from the college ranks and myriad changes to the existing schemes.

“Just to keep pounding away on film and go back as far as we can. And you don’t want to chase ghosts, right? You don’t go back and look at the 2011 season with Harbaugh, but maybe you do,” Pierce said. “And those two gentlemen have been around each other, him and (offensive coordinator) Greg Roman. So, with any little tidbits we can do, we have a pretty good staff upstairs that does a great job of breaking down film. And then, listen, at the day, you have to make the adjustments, and the players have to be able to adapt to it.”

The Chargers enter the Harbaugh coaching era with franchise quarterback Justin Herbert returning as the centerpiece of the offense, after he recovered from recent plantar fasciitis issues. The cast of characters around him? There are changes everywhere.

Gone are offensive veterans like wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekeler. Wide receiver Joshua Palmer is Herbert’s go-to guy now, while 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston and rookie Ladd McConkey look to make their mark. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards take over at running back.

Wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (hip), was the only Chargers player missing from practice Wednesday, while cornerback Tarheeb Still (hip) was limited.

Known for his quirks — already using birth, airplane takeoff and first-day-of school metaphors — Harbaugh simply wants the Chargers to focus on the basics.

“Just want to keep building,” Harbaugh said. “Just the idea of seeing if we can be better today than we were yesterday, better tomorrow than we were today. Just that so-simple-it-might-just-work approach. Keeping guys healthy, continuing to get bigger and stronger.”

Never one to show his hand — or his depth chart — Harbaugh gave away very little in the preseason. Fresh off a national championship at Michigan, he returns to the NFL after he guided the San Francisco 49ers to a 44-19-1 record and one Super Bowl berth from 2011-14. He accepted the offer, reportedly $16 million per year on a five-year deal valued at $80 million.

The Chargers will put pressure on opposing quarterbacks with a pair of elite edge rushers in Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Bosa has struggled with injuries and broke his left hand just a month ago but is set to play Sunday. Mack enters off a 17-sack season, fourth best in the league.

“If anything, it was time off the body, less stress on my legs and let some things heal up,” Bosa said about missing nearly four weeks of practice time. “Now I’m feeling ready to go.”

The Raiders head into the opener with no playoff victories since playing in the Super Bowl following the 2002 season.

Pierce took over as head coach on an interim basis last season and guided the Raiders to a 5-4 finish. Pierce officially was anointed the position in the offseason and has named Gardner Minshew II as quarterback for the opener over Aidan O’Connell.

“Gardner gives us the best opportunity to get off to a fast start,” Pierce said.

Pierce said this game isn’t about him getting the job in Las Vegas or returning home to his Los Angeles roots this week.

“We’re trying to get our first divisional win against a really good opponent, who’s going to be motivated, well coached, physical, tough. I mean, we got to bring our hard hats,” he said.

The Raiders were one of seven teams in 2023 that averaged less than 300 yards per game at 289.5 and were 23rd with 19.5 points per game. On defense, a talented front four is led by defensive end Maxx Crosby (14.5 sacks in 2023).

Crosby is the player that Herbert is thinking about most when he breaks the huddle.

“We know how talented he is, we know how talented that team is. That defense really flies around, makes a lot of plays,” Herbert said of Crosby.

Under new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, the Raiders will look to improve on an average of 90.7 rushing yards per game that was 30th in the NFL last season. With Josh Jacobs now with the Green Bay Packers, Zamir White takes over as the lead back (451 yards, one TD in 2023).

“I always say, Week 1, the opening week of the playoffs and the Super Bowl, those are different speeds of football and that shows up with the younger guys,” said Pierce. “Hopefully, we have prepped them in the way we prepare and practice.”

The Raiders were fully represented at Wednesday’s practice with tight end Brock Bowers (foot), linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (knee) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) all limited.

–Field Level Media

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald stands on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Mike Macdonald debuts, Seahawks host Broncos, rookie Bo Nix

Two years ago, the Denver Broncos opened their season in Seattle with quarterback Russell Wilson making his debut in orange and blue after 10 seasons with the Seahawks.

The Broncos return to Lumen Field on Sunday for their 2024 opener, this time with rookie Bo Nix, their first-round pick out of Oregon, calling the signals.

Nix will become the 14th player to start at the position for the Broncos since Peyton Manning retired after winning the Super Bowl following the 2015 season.

And he’ll be the first rookie QB to start for Denver since John Elway in 1983.

“There’s a lot of pressure on (Bo’s) shoulders,” Broncos veteran offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey said. “Everyone wants him to succeed greatly here, but it doesn’t mean that he has to press and do something special every single day. He just has to do his job.”

While the Broncos are still paying Wilson ($85 million in dead money on the salary cap starting with a $53 million bill for 2024, then $32 million next year), the plan is to be playing Nix.

Nix started 61 games in college at Auburn and Oregon, an NCAA record for a quarterback. He was 23 of 30 for 205 yards and two touchdowns in two preseason appearances, leading the Broncos to scores on six of seven possessions.

That’s why he not only got the starting nod from coach Sean Payton, but was also named one of the Broncos’ captains by his teammates. He’ll be the first rookie captain for the franchise since Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little in 1967.

“It’s a privilege, an honor to be with this group,” Nix said. ” … I don’t take it lightly. I know it’s a big deal, hasn’t happened often, but I don’t take it for granted. I’ve got to come to work every single day and just prove you can be the captain.”

Despite some impressive performances, Nix has never defeated an opponent from Seattle, going 0-3 against the University of Washington in his two seasons with the Ducks.

“It’s going to be loud,” Payton said of the crowd Sunday at Lumen Field. “I would imagine there will be some similarities to when Oregon goes to Washington and they’re playing in front of however many thousand people.”

The Seahawks will also have a new look under Mike Macdonald, 37, as they go from the oldest coach in the NFL (Pete Carroll, age 72), to the youngest.

Macdonald coordinated Baltimore’s defense last season when it led the league in sacks (60) and fewest points allowed (16.5 per game) and was tied for first in takeaways (31, with the New York Giants). He’s been praised — and cursed — by peers for confounding even the most advanced minds in the game. It’s one of the things that drew Seahawks general manager John Schneider to Macdonald.

“We’re always trying to push the envelope. We want people chasing us,” Macdonald said. “So to kind of get to the mentality of we’re not copying anybody, it’s going to be our style of play, it’s going to be our team, our way of doing things, never satisfied with where we’re at, no complacency. Kind of a relentless pursuit of creating the vision that we want to create. I think that kind of paints a nice picture.”

The Seahawks overhauled their system on the offensive side of the ball, too. New coordinator Ryan Grubb helped guide the University of Washington to the national title game last season, and decided he belonged in the Pacific Northwest after initially packing to join head coach Kalen DeBoer in a move to replace Nick Saban at Alabama.

“I know we kept it pretty vanilla during the preseason on both sides of the ball,” Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf said. “But Grubb is known for his explosive plays down the field, so just looking forward to him opening up a playbook just so we can exploit defenses and push the ball down the field.”

The Broncos didn’t list anyone on their injury report Wednesday. The Seahawks only expect to be without linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and tight end Pharaoh Brown (foot) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford makes a pass during the first half of the Lions' 24-23 win over the Rams in the playoffs at Ford Field on Sunday, Jan, 14, 2024.

Matthew Stafford, new-look Rams return to Lions’ den in prime-time opener

The Lions knocked the Los Angeles Rams out of the playoffs last season. The Rams will return to Detroit for the Sunday night opener eager to start another Super Bowl mission.

It could be viewed as a payback game for some of the Rams, but quarterback Matthew Stafford downplayed the revenge factor against his former team.

“To me, it’s the start of something brand new, something totally different,” Stafford said. “I’m excited to start this season off. It is, no doubt, a big challenge to go play their team in that environment. It’ll be a test for us and something to look forward to.”

Stafford has a dynamic duo at wide receiver in Puka Nacau and Cooper Kupp. Kyren Williams emerged as the lead back last season and he’ll have a quality backup in former University of Michigan workhorse Blake Corum, who was drafted in the third round.

The Rams’ defense has a big hole to fill. Perennial All-Pro lineman Aaron Donald retired after the 24-23 loss to the Lions in January.

“You’re not ever replacing an Aaron Donald and that’s not what we’re asking of our guys,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “We were so fortunate and blessed to have such a special player in Aaron Donald. What I thought was cool was he set a great example for guys who saw him play.”

Despite Donald’s absence, Lions coach Dan Campbell believes the Rams present an even bigger challenge than last season.

“This to me is a better team than what we faced last year, just looking at their personnel coming in,” Campbell said. “I feel like this is a better offensive line, I feel like this is a better D-line. I understand they lost Donald, but what I think they gain is youth and collectively, that front is – I’ve said it before, they’re young, they’re hungry, they’re high motor. They’re going to push us.”

Detroit returns most of the same offensive starters from last season with one notable loss. Offensive lineman Jonah Jackson signed with the Rams as a free agent.

The Lions rely on the 1-2 punch of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in the running game, though Gibbs missed a good chunk of training camp with a hamstring injury. He said there is no injury concern and plans to play in the opener.

Jared Goff has an elite No. 1 receiver in All-Pro selection Amon Ra St. Brown with second-year tight end Sam LaPorta helping drive the passing attack. Third-year receiver Jameson Williams is expected to have a breakout season after scoring two touchdowns in the NFC Championship game against San Francisco.

Detroit made numerous changes on the defensive line and secondary to upgrade a defense that allowed the sixth-most passing yards (247.4 per game) in the NFL last season.

Cornerbacks Carlton Davis, acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay, and first-round draft pick Terrion Arnold will get tested in a big way in their debut with the Lions.

“I know Stafford’s got a lot of trust in both of those guys (Nacua and Kupp),” Campbell said. “I thought Puka had a hell of a game last year against us (nine receptions, 181 yards, TD). He really, he made plays all over the field. So, it’ll be a challenge, but I know this, our guys are looking forward to this. They really are. I know Arnold’s excited, first one. He’s ready to go. He does not lack confidence.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field after losing in the 2024 NFC wild card game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys, Texans road favorites Week 1

More than three months before Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, the Cowboys and Texans are among the early-line favorites on the first Sunday of the regular season.

Dallas is a two-point favorite at Cleveland and the Texans are giving a point at Indianapolis.

Circa Sports published its Week 1 lines on Friday afternoon with the Cincinnati Bengals leading the way as the largest favorite — nine points over the New England Patriots. The Buffalo Bills (-7.5) are the only other team giving more than five points in the opener.

The first game of the regular season, Super Bowl ring night at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, has the Chiefs set at 2.5-point favorites over the Baltimore Ravens.

A rematch of the NFC divisional playoffs in Detroit between the Lions and Rams features the highest projected point total at 50.5.

The full lineup for Week 1 with odds and point totals (over-under) from Circa Sports:

Thursday, Sept. 5
Baltimore at Kansas City (-2.5, 47.5)

Friday, Sept. 6 (Brazil)
Green Bay vs Philadelphia (-1, 48.5)

Sunday, Sept. 8
Jacksonville at Miami (-3, 49)
Pittsburgh at Atlanta (-2.5, 43)
Minnesota at NYG (-1.5, 41)
Carolina at New Orleans (-5, 40)
New England at Cincinnati (-9, 42.5)
Tennessee at Chicago (-4.5, 43.5)
Arizona at Buffalo (-7.5, 48)
Houston (-1, 48) at Indianapolis
Las Vegas at LA Chargers (-3.5, 43)
Washington at Tampa Bay (-4, 41.5)
Denver at Seattle (-5, 41)
Dallas (-2, 44) at Cleveland
LA Rams at Detroit (-3.5, 50.5)

Monday, Sept. 9
NY Jets at San Francisco (-5, 44.5)

–Field Level Media

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs with the ball during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles to play in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Friday of Week 1

The Philadelphia Eagles will open the 2024 season where no NFL team has gone before: Brazil.

The Eagles will be the designated home team for the league’s first-ever game in South America on the Friday of Week 1, commissioner Roger Goodell announced Monday.

Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo will host one of the league’s five international games in 2024. Three will be played in London and one will be in Munich, Germany.

Sao Paulo was chosen over Madrid as the league’s next new market, though an NFL official said in December that Madrid could host a game as early as 2025.

The Eagles’ opponent was not revealed. The game will be the second fixture of the new season, one day after the traditional Thursday night kickoff that usually features the Super Bowl champions.

The NFL has played only eight games on Friday since 1978, according to a Miami Herald story published before the Dolphins visited the New York Jets last November for the league’s first-ever Black Friday game.

There are plans for a Black Friday game streamed on Amazon Prime every year going forward.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) pressured by Houston Texans defensive end Dylan Horton (92) in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Lamar Jackson, Ravens run past Texans

Lamar Jackson passed for 169 yards in his first game with a new five-year contract, Justice Hill ran for two touchdowns and the Baltimore Ravens opened the season with a 25-9 victory Sunday over the visiting Houston Texans.

Jackson completed 17 of 22 passes with one interception and ran for 38 more yards with a lost fumble. J.K. Dobbins had 22 yards and a touchdown on eight carries before departing early in the second half with a possible Achilles injury.

Baltimore’s Zay Flowers had nine catches for 78 yards in his first NFL game, while Odell Beckham Jr. had two catches for 37 yards in his Ravens debut.

In his first NFL game, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud passed for 242 yards and was sacked five times. The No. 2 overall draft pick out of Ohio State this past April was 28-of-44 passing and lost a fumble.

Dameon Pierce had 38 yards rushing on 11 carries for the Texans, while Nico Collins and Robert Woods each had six catches for a combined 137 yards.

Jackson was intercepted by Houston’s Steven Nelson on Baltimore’s second drive, but used the third drive to move the Ravens 58 yards in nine plays with Dobbins scoring on a 4-yard TD run for a 7-0 lead.

Stroud’s first taste of NFL play was rocky. He completed his first NFL pass to himself for no gain when his throw was batted out of the air and rebounded into his arms. Houston gained just 4 yards of total offense on its first three drives.

Stroud settled in to guide drives of 67 and 68 yards that ended in Ka’imi Fairbairn field goals of 35 and 38 yards in the final 4 minutes of the first half to trail 7-6.

On their first possession of the second half, the Ravens went 71 yards on eight plays with Hill scoring on a 4-yard run and Gus Edwards adding the 2-point conversion run for a 15-6 lead.

The Texans followed by turning the ball over on downs for the second time, and the Ravens worked a five-play, 42-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard score from Hill and a 22-6 lead with 5:21 remaining in the third quarter.

After the Texans’ M.J. Stewart recovered a Jackson fumble at the Ravens’ 32-yard line, Houston could only muster a 36-yard field goal to pull within 22-9 with 13:47 remaining. The Ravens added Justin Tucker’s 39-yard field goal with 4:10 remaining.

Baltimore offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum departed in the fourth quarter with leg injuries.

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) tackles ]Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

Lions stun champ Chiefs in prime-time season opener

David Montgomery’s 8-yard touchdown run with 7:06 left Thursday night propelled the visiting Detroit Lions to a season-opening, 21-20 win over the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL’s season-opening game.

Montgomery’s score and Riley Patterson’s point-after kick brought Detroit back from a 20-14 deficit created by Harrison Butker field goals of 35 and 39 yards late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter, respectively.

Jared Goff completed 22 of 35 passes for 253 yards and a touchdown for the Lions, who are a trendy pick to win the NFC Central and did nothing to slow down the hype with a solid performance. Detroit made few mistakes, committing only four penalties and one turnover.

The Lions’ defense came up big in the second half. Rookie Brian Branch’s 50-yard interception return of a Patrick Mahomes pass that caromed off open receiver Kadarius Toney tied the game at 14 just over four minutes into the third quarter. Detroit later stopped the Chiefs on their final two possessions after taking the lead.

Mahomes hit on 21 of 39 attempts for 226 yards with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for a team-high 45 yards but had a spate of passes dropped. Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce (knee) was held out of the game.

Getting a rare non-Thanksgiving national TV shot after a strong finish to last year nearly produced a playoff berth, Detroit initiated the scoring on Goff’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown with 2:46 left in the first quarter. It capped a 14-play, 91-yard drive that lasted just over eight minutes, one that was sparked by a risky fake punt on fourht-and-2 from Detroit’s own 17.

Predictably, Kansas City answered with a touchdown march of nearly six minutes. Mahomes connected with rookie Rashee Rice on a 1-yard laser that capped a 13-play drive with 11:50 to go in the second quarter.

The Chiefs then took a 14-7 lead with 34 seconds remaining in the half as Mahomes found backup tight end Blake Bell for a 4-yard score. Mahomes converted a third-and-17 with a 34-yard strike to Marquez Valdes-Scantling to key the drive.

–Field Level Media