The Detroit Lions are set to tangle with the Kansas City Chiefs in one of the league's iconic venues --Arrowhead Stadium.
For some, it will be their first trip to the stadium, which is routinely lauded as one of the NFL's loudest. Defensive lineman Alim McNeill realizes he's set for a fun moment in the opener.
Speaking to the media on Monday, McNeill discussed the season opener and the environment at Arrowhead.
"Like coach (Dan) Campbell said the other day, the football gods created Arrowhead. I can't lie. It's one of those special places like playing at Green Bay. It's going to be real loud. It's going to be a crazy environment. It's definitely something we're going to have to play against as well. It's going to be a crazy experience."Alim McNeill
Detroit sees historic stadiums in the NFC North yearly, with trips to Lambeau Field and Soldier Field. They play Arrowhead Stadium far less often, with their last visit coming in 2003 (a 45-17 loss).
Mark Brunell: Lions must be ready for Arrowhead Stadium noise
Over 18 seasons, there wasn't much Brunell didn't see playing quarterback. While he couldn't recall facing a team raising a banner in a highly-anticipated opener, he does remember Arrowhead Stadium well.
Brunell understands what the Lions are up against. As he explained, the noise factor and managing it is undeniable for everyone.
"The atmosphere, it's the noise. I told Sam (LaPorta), 'the first NFL game of your career might be the loudest NFL game of your career.' And I wasn't joking. This is a top-three as far as loud in my experience. Obviously, it's nationally televised. You forget about that when the game starts. What you don't forget about is that noise, and the importance of communicating and using the silent cadence. "Mark Brunell
Head coach Dan Campbell, who played and has coached at Arrowhead, talked about the preparation for the challenge of the environment on Tuesday.
Dan Campbell has had speakers on both sides of the practice field for the Detroit Lions, with golf carts moving them with the action to keep the noise and chaos turned up ahead of a non-verbal communication style game in Kansas City.
— Ben Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) September 5, 2023
Offensive communication will be one of the most important aspects of the game plan for Thursday night in Arrowhead. Campbell says they’ve had the speakers blaring at practice. #Lions
— Dannie (@dannierogers___) September 5, 2023
Dan Campbell's message to his players, as they prepare for Arrowhead and the Chiefs:
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) September 5, 2023
"Embrace it. Enjoy it. Take it all in."
Campbell and Brunell are doing all they can to prepare Lions' players for what Arrowhead Stadium will bring. Time will tell how the team responds to all Thursday night's game will entail, beyond the nuts and bolts of playing the game.