The National Football League will complete their Week Six schedule with a barnburner tonight from Kansas City and a pair of Monday Night Football matchups.
At Arrowhead Stadium, where the Chiefs have been nearly invincible in recent seasons, they look to avoid a second home loss and second consecutive defeat when they host the high-scoring Detroit Lions in a primetime affair set to kick off at 5:20 p.m. Pacific Time.
The Lions come in as the highest scoring team in the league, with 174 points tallied in their first five games. In their opening contest of the season, played at Lambeau Field against their NFC North Division rival Green Bay Packers, the highest scoring team from last year was limited to 13 points in a two-touchdown setback, 27-13.
After capturing the top seed for last year’s NFC playoffs with a regular season record of 15-2 spearheaded by quarterback Jared Goff and a stable of talented skill position players, the low point total in their opener raised concerns. It mostly revolved around Dan Campbell’s coaching staff, which he had to rebuild after mass defections including both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
The loss of his staff was only prompted because of the success of the group Campbell assembled in turning the longtime doormat Lions into a NFL powerhouse. Still, the pressure was on after that first loss and uncharacteristic low point total … and how did the Lions respond?
Like champions.
They have won four games in a row while piling up points like fall generates leaves in the yard. In their last four games, all wins, the Lions have dented the scoreboard for 52, 38, 34 and 37 points while downing the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals respectively.
Now, the challenge gets elevated with a road underdog role against the struggling Chiefs.
Earlier today, the Los Angeles Chargers converted a last play of the game field goal to edge the Miami Dolphins, and the Denver Broncos got by the New York Jets by two-points in a game played in London. What does that matter to the Chiefs? Those two teams represent Kansas City’s prime division competition, and the Chargers have already defeated Andy Reid’s team this year and their win today in Miami allows them to stay tied with the Broncos for first place in their division, and the Chiefs need a win tonight to stay only one game back.
That is a significant edge for the home team. The Chiefs need this game, not as in recent seasons with an eye on home field advantage in the postseason, but more importantly to get them in position to land a playoff spot.
Now, the Lions are playing better, are hitting on all cylinders offensively, and wouldn’t shock the football world if they captured a win at Arrowhead.
But who is playing better is not the most important element in ruling who actually wins.
The Chiefs need trumps the Lions talent, and that is why they are favored on the point spread. The current line is bouncing between two and two-and-one-half points.
So, take the Chiefs here?
The Lions are just playing too well to not pass up the points.
So, take the Lions and the couple points on the line tonight?
Did I tell you the Chiefs need this … and they usually get what they need.
As far as I view this contest it is close, real close, and not a game I want to get caught on the wrong side of an imposing little spread. Great game to watch, but not one to risk money on.