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The reason being for the changes are the new faces at wide receiver as Kansas City saw two of their main targets for quarterback Patrick Mahomes leave during the off-season. Add to that the knee injury All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce suffered recently (his status for the game is uncertain leading up to game time) and that throws a big time wrinkle into things.
The Chiefs defense is also without All-Pro defensive player Chris Jones (15 1/2 quarterback sacks last season) as he is holding out and might not return until possibly Week Eight. That's not a good thing for a defense that depends on pressuring opposing quarterbacks. The Lions have Jared Goff at quarterback and he is coming off a stellar season and could present problems for the Kansas City defense.
The Lions have a different approach with their running game as Jamaal Williams (17 TD last year) is gone and also D'Andre Swift (five TD rushing and three receiving) and now on board are David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama) to complement the passing attack. They better be ready to go in the opener.
The opener should be an exciting game and Mahomes will utilize whatever talent surrounds him on the field, so look for a high scoring game with the difference being which team has less turnovers.
The following will offer a capsule style preview for each game in Week One and the Heftyinfo predictions follow up.
Detroit at Kansas City - Take the Chiefs in a squeaker.
Carolina at Atlanta - Toss up in this one, but the Falcons do have the home edge for whatever that is worth in an opener.
Cincinnati at Cleveland - Don't be shocked if the Browns get the win in this game.
Jacksonville at Indianapolis - The Jaguars should win this one on the road, but the Colts won't just lay down for them.
Tampa Bay at Minnesota - The Vikings want to prove their doubters wrong and here is where they can start.
Tennessee at New Orleans - This one could be a shootout. Take the Saints.
San Francisco at Pittsburgh - Two teams with solid defenses going at it. Toss up here.
Arizona at Washington - Two teams going with new quarterbacks in the opening game. Anything is possible.
Houston at Baltimore - The Ravens should roll in this game.
Green Bay at Chicago - No more Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay? Take the Bears in a tight one.
Las Vegas at Denver - The Broncos and their new head coach . . . the Raiders and their new quarterback. This one should go down to the wire.
Philadelphia at New England - Will the Eagles have the Super Bowl (losing team) hangover? Doubtful, but never count out the Patriots at home in a season opener.
Miami at Los Angeles Chargers - This could be the most exciting game in Week One. Toss up.
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle - Take the Seahawks.
Dallas at New York Giants - The Sunday night game . . . can the Giants solve the Cowboys this season? Here is their chance.
Buffalo at New York Jets - The Monday night game and what a matchup between two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. The Jets are a very hyped team while the Bills are determined to show they aren't done after the debacle they had in the playoffs against Cincinnati.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week One . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Kansas City over Detroit
Atlanta over Carolina
Cleveland over Cincinnati
Jacksonville over Indianapolis
Minnesota over Tampa Bay
New Orleans over Tennessee
Pittsburgh over San Francisco
Washington over Arizona
BALTIMORE over Houston
Chicago over Green Bay
Denver over Las Vegas
Philadelphia over New England
Seattle over L.A. Rams
Miami over L.A. Chargers
Dallas over N.Y. Giants
N.Y. Jets over Buffalo
2022 SEASON RECORD - 175-94-2
Lock of the Week Record - 16-2
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