KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Back in 2023, the Detroit Lions were coming off a red-hot finish, falling just short of reaching the playoffs the previous year.

They finished 9-8 in 2022, beating the Packers in Aaron Rodgers’ last game in Green Bay, eliminating them from the playoffs in the process. Then, they opened the 2023 campaign against the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

It was an opportunity to prove to the football world that their impressive finish was for real. They took full advantage, and haven’t looked back since.

The Lions went into Kansas City the night the Chiefs received their Super Bowl rings, and set the tone for that season. They beat the Chiefs 21-20, and rode that wave to their first division title in 30 years all the way to an NFC title game appearance.

“Th

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