The Kansas City Chiefs have made several big moves in the pursuit of a historic Super Bowl three-peat.
A midseason trade for veteran wide receiver Deandre Hopkins was specifically aimed at giving Patrick Mahomes another reliable offensive weapon.
But even with Hopkins in Kansas City red, Mahomes’ team has been stuck playing close games all season, and one of the Chiefs’ biggest holes hasn’t been fixed after a 30-21 loss to Buffalo ended an undefeated season.
Right now, Kansas City could use some of what the NFC-best Detroit Lions have a ton of.
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick both praised Dan Campbell’s Super Bowl contenders during an episode of the ‘Let’s Go’ podcast.
Brady was wowed by all of the Lions’ offensive weapons and versatility.
“I don’t think you can say enough good things about what they’ve done, in terms of that organization,” Brady said. “The coaching, the quarterbacking, the defense, the running, the catching. … This is how I envision every team would want to build a unit.”
The seven-time Super Bowl winner, who now calls NFL games on TV for FOX and is a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, said it’s often hard to figure out what Detroit is going to do on offense.
“They make you so hesitant when the ball is snapped,” Brady said
He added: “They are a tough team to beat.”
Belichick, who’s the hottest NFL coaching candidate on the market, saw many of the same things that Brady did.
But what specifically received praise from the former New England leader was a “tough” offense that has taken on Campbell’s “buttoned chin strap” mentality.
The Lions aren’t afraid to brawl in the trenches.
With an overpowering offensive line, Detroit has what Kansas City lacks.
“Coach Campbell has developed a physical mentality there,” Belichick said. “They’re very skilled — they can pass the ball, they can run the ball.
“The offensive line is, I think, the best in football. … They’re physical and they’re tough. They need a yard, they have a mentality to get it.”
Detroit (9-1) is tied with Kansas City for the best record in the league.
The Lions lead the NFL in average scoring (33.6) and rank third in yards per game (394.7).
Nine out of 10 opponents have failed to find a way to beat Detroit this season, with the Lions playing off an offensive line led by Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow and Taylor Decker.
Belichick said there’s one way to stay close against Detroit — prevent the big plays that quarterback Jared Goff and Campbell love.
“They’re going to rack up a lot of points,” Belichick said.
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