The defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs are favorites at home to open the 2023 NFL season against the visiting Lions. Detroit is a popular breakout team after nearly reaching the playoffs last year. You better believe we are going to break down our top Chiefs vs. Lions player props for this season opener.
Detroit’s matchup against Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Co. is a tall task in the opener, especially at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs should handle their business, and that’s factored into the three most appealing player props for this contest.
Chiefs vs. Lions Player Props
Editor’s Note: The following Thursday Night Football prop bets come from Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook. However, you can place these Chiefs vs. Lions player props at Underdog Fantasy if DK is not available in your state.
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3 Best Thursday Night Football Prop Bets
Here’s a trio of Chiefs vs. Lions player props I like for Thursday’s primetime matchup.
Jerick McKinnon Anytime Touchdown (+180)
Jerick McKinnon emerged as a trusted weapon in Kansas City’s offense last year. Jet had 71 rushes and 71 targets and parlayed them into 803 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns in the regular season.
He reached paydirt in seven of 17 games last season. McKinnon didn’t just rely on long, unsustainable plays for touchdowns, either. Instead, per FantasyPros, McKinnon led Kansas City’s running backs in opportunities (rushes plus targets) inside the 15-yard line, scoring six receiving touchdowns on 15 rushes and 13 targets.
The Chiefs have an implied total of 30.5 points at Caesars Sportsbook. So, there should be plenty of touchdowns to go around on the Chiefs, and a versatile weapon like McKinnon is a stellar bet to get in on the scoring at a tasty +180 line.
Where to bet: Jerick McKinnon Anytime Touchdown | +180 Caesars Sportsbook
Isiah Pacheco Under 54.5 Rushing Yards (-114)
Isiah Pacheco’s preseason consisted of playing two snaps and carrying the ball once. The second-year pro spent most of the offseason recovering from surgeries for a torn labrum and a broken hand.
Pacheco’s low preseason workload might mean he’s eased into action early in the season. Furthermore, Clyde Edwards-Helaire played meaningful snaps with the starters in the preseason and had a role in the backfield last year before he was injured.
And, of course, McKinnon is the most trusted back on the club. The Chiefs will likely use all three running backs on their active roster, reducing the opportunities Pacheco will have to carry the ball and exceed 54.5 rushing yards, even in a cushy matchup.
Moreover, the Chiefs are a pass-happy offense at their core. According to the nfelo app, the Chiefs were first in Pass Rate Over Expected (PROE) in each of the previous three seasons. Ultimately, there’s not a lot of meat on the bone for Pacheco to eclipse 54.5 rushing yards.
Where to bet: Isiah Pacheco Under 54.5 Rushing Yards | -114 FanDuel Sportsbook
Jahmyr Gibbs Over 67.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards (-114)
It remains to be seen how the Lions will split the usage in the backfield between Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. They paid the latter a sizable contract, relatively speaking, in free agency. However, Detroit used the 12th pick in this year’s NFL Draft to select Gibbs. The significant draft capital they spent on him indicates he’ll be a critical part of the offense.
The explosive rookie is a genuine weapon in the passing game, and the game script should force the Lions to take to the air. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Gibbs was targeted on 21.2% of his routes and had 44 receptions, 444 receiving yards, and 1.81 Y/RR for Alabama last season in 12 games. Additionally, Gibbs had an eye-popping 2.46 Y/RR in his collegiate career.
Meanwhile, according to The 33rd Team, the Chiefs yielded the fourth-most receiving yards (806) to running backs in 2022. Gibbs can make the most of the matchup through the air.
However, if the game script favors the Lions, he can do damage on the ground. Gibbs averaged 77.2 rushing yards per game and 6.1 yards per attempt for the Crimson Tide last year. Finally, the Chiefs coughed up 128.6 scrimmage yards per game to running backs last season. So, even in a nearly even backfield split, the explosive and efficient Gibbs should exceed 67.5 rushing-plus-receiving yards.
Where to bet: Jahmyr Gibbs Over 67.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards | -114 FanDuel Sportsbook