Lions vs. Chiefs: Will injuries really make a difference?
By Robert Jones
Today the banged-up Detroit Lions will face the high octane Kansas City Chiefs. But are the Lions so overmatched the injuries don’t really matter?
Today is the Detroit Lions biggest game of the season so far. Today they will face, most likely, the best team on their schedule; the Kansas City Chiefs.
We all know and have secretly envied the Kansas City Chiefs since seeing what Patrick Mahomes can do in Andy Reid’s offense. In a short time he has taken the league by storm and even though the New England Patriots disposed of the Chiefs in last years AFC Championship game, we know he is capable of leading Kansas City to their first Super Bowl title since Super Bowl IV on January 11, 1970.
These Chiefs don’t just score, they run relays through enemy defenses. They put up points and dare their opponents to keep up with them. Their offensive capabilities are nothing shy of being a video game.
Then there are the Lions…
Detroit is sporting a brand new offense this season which has been good in spurts but has yet to put it all together. The ground game is still a work in progress. The passing game has been pretty good but still hasn’t reached its potential. Now they have to keep up with the Kansas City scoring machine.
Meanwhile, the Lions defense which we expected to be among the best has spent the first three weeks being bent this way and that, but they haven’t broken yet, except for the fourth quarter against the Cardinals.
This is the week the defense can’t afford to be anything shy of their best, because even a very good defensive team like the Baltimore Ravens struggled to get stops against the Chiefs.
Detroit is the big underdog and the only way to get a win today will be by a terrific team effort. The defense must find some way to slow down the Chiefs a little and a cohesive Lions offense that is opportunistic and puts points on the board early and often will have to show up.
It’s always easier said than done, but with some key Lions being on the injury report this week, the task isn’t getting any less daunting.