The Kansas City Chiefs have established themselves as one of the top teams in the NFL year in and year out. Their success could serve as a blueprint for the Detroit Lions’ future.

After years of disappointment and frustration, the Lions are now led by head coach Dan Campbell, quarterback Jared Goff, and a talented young roster. With high expectations for next season, the Lions are aiming to make it to the playoffs and supplant themselves atop the NFC North. However, the road to success in the NFL is not an easy one, and the Lions should understand that it takes consistent results over time to truly change the perception of a team.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been a shining example of success in recent years. With a strong leadership under head coach Andy Reid and a dynamic quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have become one of the most consistent and competitive teams in the league.

Head Coach Andy Reid and Quarterback Patrick Mahomes

Under the leadership of head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have made it to the playoffs in four of the last five seasons, including winning Super Bowl LIV in 2020. One of the keys to their success has been a strong offensive attack led by Mahomes, who quickly established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

The Lions, on the other hand, have struggled in recent years and have not made the playoffs since 2016. However, they have a quarterback in Jared Goff who has shown flashes of potential, and the team has been making moves to build a more competitive roster. The Chiefs have had Reid as their head coach since 2013 and Mahomes as their quarterback since 2017, providing continuity and consistency for the team. The Lions have had a revolving door of coaches and quarterbacks in recent years, and finding stability in these key positions could greatly benefit the team.

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Kansas City Chiefs Consistently Unpredictable Offensive

Forget about a “system” on offense. One of the keys to the Kansas City Chiefs’ success is their ability to throw out traditional offensive systems and focus on each player’s unique skill set. This approach, led by head coach Andy Reid, has allowed the team to create a versatile and dynamic offense that can adapt to different situations.

Similarly, the Detroit Lions have the potential to redefine the term “system” on offense. With a talented roster of playmakers such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and D’Andre Swift, along with a likely high draft pick, the Lions have the opportunity to highlight each player’s strengths and empower quarterback Jared Goff. This approach would be in line with the words “expand” and “adapt” used by Chiefs’ general manager Brett Veach to describe Reid’s offensive strategy.

Head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson can take a page from the Chiefs’ book and focus on expanding and adapting the Lions’ offense to the unique strengths of their players. This approach will give the team the best chance to succeed and allow the Lions to redefine the term “system” on offense.

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A Solid Defense is All You Need

In addition to their offensive prowess, the Chiefs have also consistently run out solid defenses. The defense usually gets hot as the season goes on and perform their best headed into the playoffs. This balance on both sides of the ball has allowed the team to consistently compete at a high level. This season they have been led by Chris Jones and rookie George Karlaftis, who has come on like a storm in the recent weeks.

After a week 16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, Patrick Mahomes had the following words about his defense. “I was extremely proud of them,” the star QB said, praising the team’s defensive performance. “That’s a really good offense. They’ve put up points on a lot of teams this year, and so for our defense to stop them in so many critical moments, that’s what we need going forward. When they play like that, we’re going to be a hard team to beat.”

The Lions should focus on is improving their defense, as they have consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in yards allowed. Brad Holmes has a plethora of draft picks and cap space, so he can get aggressive if he feels that now is the time to strike. By emulating the Chiefs’ approach and building a strong defense to complement their offense, the Lions could see a similar turnaround in their fortunes.

Syndication: Detroit Free Press

Coach and GM Relationship Crucial

One of the key factors in the Kansas City Chiefs’ success has been the strong partnership between head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach. Reid focuses on game planning and player development while Veach handles drafting, trades, and free agent signings. This division of responsibilities allows both men to excel in their respective areas, leading to a cohesive and successful team.

The Chiefs are a prime example of how a strong coach-general manager relationship can lead to success. In 2012, the team went 2-14, but in the eight years following, they made it to the playoffs seven times and even won a Super Bowl. With the right moves and a strong partnership, the Lions can also achieve similar success.

This is a model the Detroit Lions can look to emulate. The relationship between new head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes is already strong, which is a great foundation for the team. The fact that both men were brought in from different hierarchies and have been able to work well together is a positive sign for the Lions.

Syndication: Detroit Free Press

The Blueprint for Success: Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have proven to be one of the most successful teams in the NFL, and the Detroit Lions can learn from their blueprint for success. By focusing on building a solid defense, finding stability at head coach and quarterback, and having a potent offensive attack, the Lions could potentially turn their fortunes around and become a perennial playoff team.

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BONUS: Lions may face Chiefs in Germany next season

The NFL announced that the Kansas City Chiefs will be playing in Germany during the 2023 regular season, as part of the league’s International Games. The city and opponent have not been announced yet, but the Detroit Lions are among the teams in the mix for the international competition. This would be the Lions’ first international game in nearly a decade, the last one being in 2015 against the Chiefs, which they lost 45-10. The opportunity to face the Chiefs in an international game is an exciting one, as it would give the Lions a chance to see firsthand the blueprint of success that the Chiefs have established.

Double Bonus: Chiefs WR, Juju Smith-Schuster takes shot at former team

Charles Goldman is the Managing Editor for The Chiefs Wire and he reported via Twitter about Smith-Schuster’s mindset heading into the divisional round rematch against the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

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