Chiefs vs. Lions NFL Week 2 Preview: 5 Things to Watch in Detroit

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Week 2's matchup between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs will have some great individual battles to watch. As Detroit had a convincing victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City was shell-shocked by the Buffalo Bills, it will be surprising to see how these teams play in Week 2. 

Here are five things to watch for in Detroit's home opener.

Calvin Johnson vs. Kansas City Secondary

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Calvin Johnson made All-Pro corner Aqib Talib look like a nickel corner, as he took him for six catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns. This matchup was well hyped prior to the game and Johnson definitely won convincingly. 

This week, Johnson looks to continue his dominance against a young, banged up Chiefs secondary.  The 6'5" WR will be matched up with 5'9" Brandon Flowers, who gave up four catches for 66 yards and a score to Stevie Johnson in Week 1. 

In addition, the injury to Eric Berry is going to affect their safety help over the top, and it is shaping up to look like Calvin Johnson will once again dominate this week.

Jamaal Charles vs. Detroit Lions Linebackers

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Speedster Jamaal Charles was held to only 56 yards on 10 carries, to go with five catches for only nine yards in Week 1. Clearly this was a huge reason why the Chiefs lost, and Detroit will look to some notes on Buffalo's scheme in order to do the same.

This offseason, the Lions upgraded their linebacking corps with the additions of Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant. They did so for reasons like this week, going against one of the most dynamic running backs in the league. Both finished with four tackles in Week 1 and will look to get more involved this week, because Tampa Bay only handed it to their running backs 11 times. 

I look for the Chiefs to try and get Charles more involved. We will see if the offseason linebacking additions will step up to the challenge, along with DeAndre Levy and the rest of the Lions defense.

Detroit Lions Offensive Line vs. Kansas City Pass Rush

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Detroit's offensive line once again protected its quarterback and didn't allow a sack in Week 1. After only allowing 27 sacks (sixth in the league) last year, we will look to see if the O-line can once again protect Matthew Stafford against a dynamic Kansas City defensive line.

Kansas City's pass rush, led by former first-round pick Tamba Hali (15 sacks last year), will look to fluster Stafford and force him into more bad decisions—like his mistake that led to an Aqib Talib interception, which was returned for a touchdown. 

We will also have to watch Stafford take some more hits and see if he can stay in the game.

Matthew Stafford vs. Kansas City Pass Defense

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Matthew Stafford's Week 1 performance has been overshadowed by others, like Tom Brady and Cam Newton, but he still dominated. At one point in the game, he went 13-of-13 for 189 yards and three touchdowns.

With the devastating injury to Eric Berry, the Chiefs will have a tough task against Stafford and Detroit's dynamic passing attack.

Ryan Fitzpatrick of Buffalo threw for four touchdowns last week and got the tight ends involved early, taking advantage of the safety's injury. Scott Chandler finished with five catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns. Look for the Lions and Stafford to do the same, as Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler are much more seasoned receivers than Chandler (those were five of his six career receptions).

It should be a long day for the Chiefs secondary, so watch this matchup and see if they can surprise.

Jahvid Best vs. Kansas City Rush Defense

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Jahvid Best was pretty disappointing in his Week 1 start against Tampa Bay. The Lions fed him the ball 21 times on the ground, but Best only gained 72 yards (3.4 average) with a long of nine. He did add four catches for 42 yards though, so the day was not wasted. 

The Chiefs allowed Fred Jackson to run all over them, finishing with 20 carries for 112 yards (5.6-yard average) with a long of 24. Once again the injury to Eric Berry came into play here, and the Lions will definitely look to take advantage of it in the run game this week. 

The Lions need to establish a solid run game and a 3.4-yard average won't cut it if they want to make the playoffs. Clearly they are giving Best all the opportunities necessary, so look for him to bust one open this week.

So there you go; five matchups to watch for this week in the battle between Detroit and Kansas City. Keep an eye on them as we move closer to game time.