Chiefs vs Lions: TV Info, Over/Under, Spread and Final Game Predictions

The Detroit Lions host the Kansas City Chiefs in what will be one of the most exciting games of Week 2.

Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and the Lions lead one of the most explosive offenses against a Chiefs defense that is teetering on the face.

Kansas City lost arguably its most important player in second-year safety Eric Berry. He was on the verge of becoming a megastar this season, but a torn ACL on a Stevie Johnson block will sideline him for the remainder of the year.

How will the Chiefs redeem themselves without their best defender after Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Bills scorched them for 41 points at home?

This could turn ugly quickly, folks.

Where: Ford Field, Detroit

When: 1:00 p.m. EDT

Watch: CBS (check local listings)

Over/Under (45.5)

The total is set at a respectable 45.5, according to Bodog.com. The Chiefs’ defense isn’t as bad as they showed last week, but it’s going to take time to adjust without Berry. The Lions are too explosive in the passing game to take the under here.

Kansas City has solid weapons of their own in WR Dwayne Bowe and RB Jamaal Charles, so they’ll rebound from their seven-point Week 1 fiasco.

Take the over with confidence.

Spread (Lions -9)

You simply can’t take the Chiefs here. I have no faith in them to keep up with the Lions offense. Calvin “Megatron” Johnson and “Nasty” Nate Burleson make up one of the best WR tandems in the NFL. Stafford dissected a quality Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ secondary in Week 1 and will do so again. Expect RB Jahvid Best to score in this one as well. Considering it’s the Lions’ home opener, Ndamukong Suh will be on a war path of epic proportions.

Key Injuries

Chiefs DB Eric Berry is out for the season with a knee injury.

Chiefs WR Jon Baldwin is out with a thumb injury.

Lions WR Calvin Johnson is questionable with an ankle injury, but is expected to play.

Lions DB Alphonso Smith and Nick Fairley are both out with foot injuries.

Fantasy Big Plays

You drafted Jamaal Charles in the top five of your draft for a reason. Keep the Chiefs’ only hope to keep it close in your lineup. Suh leads a high-quality rush-defense, but Charles is matchup proof, as he showed us last year in the Wild Card round of the playoffs against the Ravens.

Expect Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson to continue their dominance against an injury-ridden Chiefs secondary. The Lions will rely heavily on the aerial attack. Another two touchdowns from this combination is highly likely considering the weak safeties that will help double team Megatron.

Keys to Chiefs Win

The Chiefs’ best chance for winning this contest is to slow the pace of the game with RBs Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles to control the clock. Tampa Bay fell behind early and stopped running the ball, but the Chiefs can’t afford to do that. Dwayne Bowe is a great WR, but the key to victory is keeping Stafford, Megatron and the Lions offense off the field.

Keys to Lions Win

Detroit needs to put the pressure on the Chiefs early to further cripple their confidence. The Chiefs come in with their backs against the wall after losing Berry. Stafford, Johnson and the passing attack need to strike quickly. It is imperative they keep their foot on the pedal and stretch the field. Score quickly like they did against Tampa and they’ll take this one easily.

Prediction: Lions, 31-17

Stafford will continue his emergence as one of the better QBs in the NFL. He will finally enjoy that breakout campaign, and this game will officially put him on the map. A four-touchdown performance is highly likely, which is exactly what Fitzpatrick did last week against this defense. Detroit has been on fire dating back to last year and will begin the season 2-0 after a convincing victory against the drowning Chiefs.