After the opening weeks results I believe this matchup offers more of a challenge for the Lions than I did when assessing the seasons fixtures after the pre-season. The Lions had been looking good throughout the pre-season while the Chiefs, conversely, had not so the Week 1 results for this particular fan did not come as a surprise. The Lions dominated the Bucs and the Bills trounced the Chiefs so with the two teams now facing each other but with the Lions now at home and the Chiefs on the road all signs would point to a comprehensive Lions win. So much so that there is a real danger of complacency taking hold within the Lions locker room while a humiliated Chiefs team could be playing with a point to prove. I haven't had chance to listen to this weeks Football Today podcast that previews the games but wonder whether any one has picked this as an 'Upset Special'.
Fortunately for Coach Schwartz the victory in Tampa Bay was not achieved with a flawless performance and there was more than enough for him to get his teeth into when the team began preparing for this weeks game. After a nervy start Matthew Stafford began to ease into the groove he'd played most of the pre-season in and it is to be expected that in the friendly confines of Ford Field he'll be in the groove from the first snap. Calvin Johnson has been cleared to play and the receiving options that the Lions have amassed showed their value for Stafford and OC Scott Linehan as receptions were nicely spread around. With the Chiefs secondary losing the impressive Eric Berry for the season there would appear to be the potential for a big day for Lions passing yardage stats. It would also be nice if the Lions could finally get a running game going in this game. There were signs of improvement in Tampa but there is still a way to go before it reaches the level I'm sure the team are looking for it to be at. I shall be looking for a more disciplined performance from the O-Line this week who, after an impressive start, seemed to suffer from the heat in Tampa as the game wore on with Cherilus's act of stupidity at the end of the game thankfully not costing the team the game.
The defense dominated the Bucs for most the game last week and it wasn't until the Bucs went into their hurry up offense that they were really able to move the ball up the field. It'll be an interesting feature of the game if the Chiefs try a similar approach in the hope that a weakness in the Lions D has been found. After making Blount a non-factor in Week 1 the defense will be trying to ensure the Chiefs Jamal Charles is rendered similarly ineffective. The pressure exerted by the D-Line is such that it will be difficult for opposing teams to be too focussed on the passing game. Freeman found himself frequently hurried and Cassel too will be looking to get rid of the ball quickly. The much maligned Lions secondary showed that its reputation is undeserved and Chris Houston's interception was a nice reward for the group.
The Special teams unit also presented the coaches with a reason for criticism giving up a 78 yard kickoff return. The Chiefs Dexter McCluster is one of those returners that has the ability to burn through coverage and take one to the house so the coverage unit will need to be at its sharpest.
Despite my initial wariness that this game could be more difficult than anticipated I am of the belief that the Lions coaches have kept the team sharp and focussed. I'm not convinced that the Chiefs were as good as their record suggested last season and think that this could be a tough year for fans at Arrowhead. So I'm going to say the Lions win this one big with career days for Stafford and Calvin Johnson. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Jahvid Best rush for his first 100 yard game and Titus Young grab his first TD.
Prediction: Chiefs 10 LIONS 44
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