Top 5 Reasons the Detroit Lions Will Beat the Kansas City Chiefs Week 2

The Detroit Lions looked great in their 27-20 Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 305 yards, and Calvin Johnson had two touchdown receptions.

Now the Lions must turn their attention to their home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs come into this game after an embarrassing loss at the hands of the Buffalo Bills.

However, the Chiefs did win the AFC West division last year, and they are looking to prove that last week's loss was a mere abberation.

On the contrary, the Lions have not won their first two games of a season since 2007, but they look poised to start 2011 at 2-0.

Let's look at the top five reasons the Lions will beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.

5. The Game Is Detroits Home Opener

Home-field advantage can be a major factor in the NFL. In Week 1 alone, home teams were 10-4.

The Lions will be eager to harness the energy brought forth by the Ford Field crowd in Week 2.

Detroit fans have waited all offseason for a chance to see their promising team in action, even selling out a preseason game against the New England Patriots.

Four of the Lions' six wins last season came in the Motor City. For a Kansas City team that struggled so greatly against the Bills, it will certainly be a difficult place to come into and get a road victory.

4. The Lions Defensive Line

A common key for Lions victories each week will be the play of their defensive line. This unit is the best Detroit has to offer and against Kansas City they have a great platform to showcase their ability.

The Chiefs have an average offensive line at best and almost no depth to support their starting five. The Lions front four should have no trouble wreaking havoc on Matt Cassel and Jamaal Charles, neither of whom put up impressive numbers against the Buffalo Bills.

3. Eric Berry Is out for the Season with a Torn ACL

Last season Eric Berry led Kansas City with four interceptions and was second on the team with 92 tackles.

The Chiefs have decent players in the secondary even without Berry, but losing that kind of production will still be tough to overcome.

He will likely be replaced by veteran Jon McGraw. While McGraw is a capable player, he is not a defensive force like Berry is.

The Lions showcased the ability to throw the football in Week 1 against the Buccaneers, and after this key injury look for them to do the same against the Chiefs.

2. Matthew Stafford and Time of Possession

A basic principle in football is that winning the time of possession battle can go a long way toward winning a football game. In Week 1, the Detroit Lions had the ball for 36 minutes of game time.

If the Lions can again win time of possession, it will allow offensive coordinator Scott Linehan to open up the playbook for Matthew Stafford.

Stafford was excellent in Week 1, completing 24 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns.

On the contrary, the Chiefs quarterback, Matt Cassel, threw for a less impressive 119 yards and one touchdown. Kansas City only possessed the ball for 22 minutes.

1. The Chiefs Just Lost 41-7 to Buffalo

There is no way to sidestep around the fact that Kansas City just lost to one of the worst teams in the NFL. Jamaal Charles ran for only 56 yards, and Cassel threw for an aforementioned 119 yards. The Chiefs were also only 3-for-13 on third-down conversions.

If the Chiefs played so terribly at home against Buffalo, then why should anyone believe they will fare better in front of a raucous Detroit crowd?

Detroit is clearly in a position to win, but they will need to quickly forget about their Week 1 triumph and focus on Kansas City because they have talented football players. If Detroit does that, then they should begin this season 2-0.