Kansas City @ Detroit preview
Ford Field
Last Meeting ( Nov 1, 2015 ) Detroit 10, Kansas City 45
The Kansas City Chiefs were expected to be undefeated through three games, but the Detroit Lions were not. The surprising Lions host the Chiefs on Sunday in an unlikely matchup of unbeaten teams.
The Chiefs have picked up where they left off last season, with reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes leading a prolific offense. Mahomes is the first player in NFL history to pass for at least 350 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in three consecutive games, and Kansas City has scored at least 28 points in each contest. The Lions have found themselves in three close games - a season-opening tie at Arizona and three-point victories over the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia - but have prevailed with the help of a ball-hawking defense that will try to disrupt the Chiefs’ offensive momentum. The teams have met only once in the last eight seasons, with Kansas City trouncing Detroit 45-10 in London in 2015.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Chiefs -6.5. O/U: 55
ABOUT THE CHIEFS (3-0): Mahomes leads the league in virtually every passing category, including a sterling 134.9 passer rating fueled by 10 touchdowns without an interception, and he’s surrounded with weapons. Even without injured speedster Tyreek Hill, Mahomes threw TD passes to three different receivers last week - and none of them was leading receiver Sammy Watkins or star tight end Travis Kelce. Kansas City still has some questions on defense and has been susceptible to the run, allowing an NFL-worst 6.2 yards per carry, but the secondary has shown improvement over last season.
ABOUT THE LIONS (2-0-1): Detroit isn’t flashy on offense, but the offensive line has not allowed a sack on veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford in the last two games and the Lions played turnover-free football last week against the Eagles. Detroit hasn’t gotten much from the running game, but Kerryon Johnson has been involved in a solid passing attack. The secondary has been decent but will be tested this week, especially if cornerback Darius Slay is unable to play after injuring his hamstring in the second half last week.
EXTRA POINTS
1. The Chiefs have scored at least 25 points in an NFL-record 25 consecutive games.
2. Mahomes has thrown at least three touchdown passes and posted a rating of 100 or better in seven consecutive road contests.
3. Lions WR Danny Amendola has recorded at least six catches in his last two games against Kansas City.
PREDICTION: Chiefs 30, Lions 23