Thursday Night Football

Good morning,

Let’s dive in…

Developing Stories 📰

The 2023 NFL season kicks off with an exciting inter-conference clash. The Detroit Lions hit the road to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night. In 2022, the Lions finished with a 9-8 record, marking their first winning season since 2017, but missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. On the other hand, the Chiefs dominated the regular season with a 14-3 record, securing their seventh consecutive AFC West title, and went on to win Super Bowl LVII by defeating the Eagles 38-35. The Chiefs hold a 9-5 advantage in their all-time regular season matchups, with their most recent meeting resulting in a 34-30 road victory for them on September 29, 2019.

Last season, the Lions, under coach Dan Campbell in his second year, made significant progress, going from a dismal 3-13-1 in 2021 to a promising 9-8 in 2022. Although they started the season at 1-6, they made a remarkable comeback, winning eight of their last 10 regular-season games, including a crucial victory over the Green Bay Packers in week 18 that denied the Packers a postseason spot. The Lions have undergone some changes this season, particularly at running back, as Jamaal Williams, D'Andre Swift, and Justin Jackson have all departed. They've drafted Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round and added David Montgomery through free agency from the Bears. The Lions also acquired Teddy Bridgewater as a solid backup quarterback. To bolster their secondary after losing several cornerbacks and a safety in the offseason, they signed Emmanuel Moseley, Cameron Sutton, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.

In terms of offensive statistics from last season, the Lions ranked 8th in passing offense with an average of 251.8 yards per game and 11th in rushing with 128.2 yards per game. They were 5th in scoring offense, averaging 26.6 points per game, but struggled on defense, ranking 28th by allowing 25.1 points per game. Quarterback Jared Goff had an impressive season, throwing for 4,438 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while Craig Reynolds is their leading returning rusher. Amon-Ra St. Brown led the team in receptions with 106 catches for 1,161 yards and six touchdowns. They retained key receivers in Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond, with Jameson Williams set to return from suspension. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta is expected to contribute. The Lions have a kicker competition between Michael Badgley and Riley Patterson.

The Kansas City Chiefs, coming off their Super Bowl LVII victory over the Eagles, finished the regular season with a 14-3 record. They had to navigate the AFC playoffs, defeating Jacksonville and Cincinnati to clinch the Lombardi Trophy. The Chiefs have undergone changes on both offense and defense, losing key players like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman, Orlando Brown Jr., and Andrew Wylie on offense, and Frank Clark, Carlos Dunlap, Khalen Saunders, and Juan Thornhill on defense. They are also facing uncertainties with Charles Omenihu's suspension and Chris Jones's holdout.

In terms of offensive statistics from last season, the Chiefs led the league in passing offense with an average of 297.8 yards per game but ranked 20th in rushing offense with 115.9 yards per game. They were the top-scoring team, averaging 29.2 points per game, while their defense ranked 16th, allowing 21.7 points per game. Patrick Mahomes had a stellar season, passing for 5,250 yards with 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and he also contributed with 358 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Clyde Edwards-Helaire handled the running duties. Travis Kelce was the standout receiver with 110 receptions, 1,338 yards, and 12 touchdowns. The Chiefs are relying on younger receivers to step up this season. Harrison Butker handles the kicking duties.

As the 2023 season begins, both teams have their strengths and challenges, making this inter-conference clash a highly anticipated matchup.

Headlines 🚨

On This Day in Sport History: 1995 Cal Ripken Jr. breaks Gehrigs record, plays in 2,131 straight games,

1996 Baltimore Orioles Eddie Murrays 500^th career homerun.

Approximately 73.5 million American adults will bet on NFL this season according to a survey.

Wide Receiver Jamison Crowder rejoined the Washington Commanders practice squad on Wednesday.

After tests Tuesday, the Kansas City Chiefs believe All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce’s ACL is intact.

The Bears list veteran Nathan Peterman as QB 2 behind Justin Fields.

Duke and Colorado moved into the AP Top 25 college football poll as #21 and #22 after scoring the biggest upsets of opening weekend.

Coach Ryan Day still hasn’t chose a starter and are playing Kyle McCord and Devin Brown vs. Youngstown State.

Jose Altuve homered in each of his first 3 at bats last night in a 14-1 win against The Texas Rangers.

Giancarlo Stanton reached a career milestone hitting his 400^th home run in a 5-1 win against the Tigers.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

⚾️ Twins at Guardians

• The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Cleveland's last 17 games at home

⚾️ Giants at Cubs

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs

• The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Francisco's last 9 games when playing Chi Cubs

• Chi Cubs is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games at home

⚾️ Blue Jays at A’s

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games

• Oakland is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 6 games

⚾️ Rockies at Diamondbacks

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing on the road against Arizona

⚾️ Phillies at Padres

• The total has gone OVER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 8 games when playing San Diego

⚾️ Mariners at Reds

• The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Cincinnati's last 19 games at home

⚾️ Dodgers at Marlins

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 9 of LA Dodgers's last 12 games

• Miami is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games

• Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

⚾️ Red Sox at Rays

• The total has gone OVER in 12 of Boston's last 13 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston

• Tampa Bay is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Boston

⚾️ Tigers at Yankees

• The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Detroit's last 8 games on the road

⚾️ Mets at Nationals

• NY Mets is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games

• NY Mets is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games at home

⚾️ White Sox at Royals

• The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chi White Sox's last 8 games on the road

• Chi White Sox is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Kansas City

• Kansas City is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games

⚾️ Astros at Rangers

• Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road

• Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 6 games when playing Houston

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 6 games

⚾️ Orioles at Angels

• Baltimore is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 7 of Baltimore's last 8 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 7 of LA Angels's last 8 games

• The total has gone OVER in 7 of LA Angels's last 8 games at home

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

⚾️ MLB

45% of bets and 68% of money is on PIT +165

48% of bets and 83% of money is on CLE +110

52% of bets and 73% of money is on OVER 11 SF at CHC

30% of bets and 61% of money is on SD -104

45% of bets and 67% of money is on UNDER 8 BOS at TB

30% of bets and 83% of money is on CIN +145

50% of bets and 80% of money is on KC -120

17% of bets and 53% of money is on OVER 9 DET at NYY

29% of bets and 50% of money is on UNDER 8.5 HOU at TEX

🏈 NFL

52% of bets and 70% of money is on DET +5.5

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Injury Report 🏥 via ESPN

BOS (RF) Alex Verdugo | Day-to-Day - Hamstring, likely to return Friday

CWS (CF) Luis Robert Jr | Day-to-Day - Quadriceps

HOU (RP) Ryne Stanek | 15 Day IL - Ankle

LAA (DH) Shohei Ohtani | Day-to-Day - Oblique

LAD (3B) Max Muncey | Day-to-Day - Shoulder

LAD (C) Austin Barnes | Day-to-Day 

PHI (SS) Trea Turner | Paternity

PIT (DH) Andrew McCutchen | Day-to-Day - Achilles

TB (3B) Taylor Walls | Day-to-Day - Groin, likely to return tomorrow

TOR (DH) Brandon Belt | Day-to-Day - Illness

Picks 🔒

2023 Record:

(105-107-3) -10.5U

Lions +5 -110 | I think the Lions show up on Thursday night and give the Chiefs a little bit of a scare. The Chiefs’ attack could be slowed with the possible absence of Kelce, who suffered a hyperextended knee in practice on Tuesday.

Astros -110 | The Houston Astros are outstanding on the road, winning nine of their last ten games. The Texas Rangers once had a huge seven-game lead in the division but are now in third place after going 4-13 in their last 17 games. Justin Verlander has dominated the Rangers in his career, posting a 2.64 ERA and a 20-8 record. The Rangers bullpen now has a 4.86 ERA, pegging them 25th.