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NFL season to begin with defending champs hosting upstart squad

The first game of the 2023 NFL season will feature a league superpower against an organization looking to continue its trend in the right direction.

The Kansas City Chiefs, as is tradition with the defending Super Bowl champion hosting the opening game, will welcome the Detroit Lions on Thursday, Sept. 7 to officially kick off Week 1. It will be the Lions’ first time participating in the opening game.

As further details of the full 2023 schedule were released Thursday, Kansas City will also play play against the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day, one of three games scheduled for the holiday. That game will also take place at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Lions finished last season 9-8 but missed the postseason in Year 2 under head coach Dan Campbell. With quarterback Jared Goff, Detroit finished fifth in the NFL in scoring offense (26.6 points per game) and tied for third in yards per play (5.9).

Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY