Key matchup: Patrick Mahomes vs. Detroit’s corners
Key stat: Mahomes is sixth with 1,257 passing yards.
Date, Time, TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC
This game might be a race to 30 points. If that’s the case, the deciding factor will likely be whether the Lions can hold up in coverage against Mahomes.
Detroit will be without its top three corners on the depth chart from when the summer began, including Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. That doesn’t bode well against the Chiefs, who over the past two weeks have racked up 858 total yards and 65 points against the Ravens and Jaguars.
Lions first-year coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has been blitz-happy, ranking ninth in sending extra rushers (28.8%). If the Chiefs can handle the pressure, Mahomes will have one-on-one opportunities against Avonte Maddox, Rock Ya-Sin and Amik Robertson. It’s a dangerous game, and one that might force Sheppard to play more conservatively.
