Lions are back: What to know for Week 1
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Jared Goff hands off to Jahmyr Gibbs against the Bears in January. Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Lions football is back Sunday, and everyone around you is about to start talking about it. Here's what you missed.
Why it matters: After the Lions went from Super Bowl contender to missing the playoffs last season, a question every Detroit sports fan should care about remains:
- Is their championship window still open?
Catch up quick: Detroit hired Drew Petzing as its new offensive coordinator to lead an offense that still features Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Sunday cheat sheet
⭐ You know this guy: Gibbs, Detroit's star running back, is poised for an even bigger role after the Lions traded longtime backfield partner David Montgomery to Houston.
- Gibbs even trained in Muay Thai this offseason to prepare his body for a heavier workload.
💡 Sound smart: Detroit's revamped offensive line could determine whether its star-studded offense returns to top form.
- All-Pro Penei Sewell switched sides, while Detroit added a tackle in the draft and a center in free agency.
🤕 Another concern: Detroit's defense should be better at pressuring quarterbacks, but its secondary enters the season shorthanded.
- Star safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph will miss at least the first four games.
🇩🇪 Mark your calendar: The Lions play the Patriots in Munich on Nov. 15, their first international game since 2015 against Kansas City at Wembley Stadium.
🎟️ But first, Week 1: The Lions host the New Orleans Saints at 1pm Sunday at Ford Field.
- If you watch: FOX.
- If you listen: 97.1 The Ticket.
- If you go: Resale tickets start around $200.
🌭 Ford Field foodies: Come hungry. The stadium's new menu includes Coney fries, shawarma fries and a Poletown kielbasa hoagie
🦁 Make the call: How far will the Lions go — miss the playoffs, make a playoff run or reach the Super Bowl? Email [email protected] with your prediction, and we'll check the receipts in January.