ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Fans are no longer permitted at the Detroit Lions' practice facility, but the sounds of roaring crowds have continued to echo throughout.
This week, in anticipation of their Thursday night game against the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs (8:20 p.m. ET on NBC), the Lions have blasted artificial crowd noise during practices to ready the team for the hostile road environment they’ll face at Arrowhead Stadium. • Untold stories of Mahomes' rookie season • Now or never for 49ers' title window? • Will Cardinals start a 5th-round rookie? • How Sean McVay hit the reset button • Lions desperate for a fast start in 2023 “They do a good job,” said Lions Pro Bowl offensive tackle Penei Sewell. “I think the speakers probably blew out by the end of the week, but it’s gonna get us prepared and we’re gonna be right for Thursday.” Getting right for the start of the season has been one of the Lions’ top goals this offseason.
Detroit has posted an NFL-worst 2-14 record through Weeks 1-9 in 2021 and 2022 combined. And with expectations higher than ever for the team, they know they can’t afford to get off to another slow start in 2023. “That whole thing right there was a point of emphasis for the training camp itself; was just starting fast every day, whether it’s practice or the game or whatever it is,” said Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill. “We’ve got to start a lot faster.” “Since the day we started this new season, from the first day of OTAs, everything has been about starting fast because we have to start the season off better,” McNeill said. “Obviously, we’re worried about K.C., but yeah, we have to start the season off better.” The Lions started the 2021 season 0-8 en route to a 3-13-1 finish.