The Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) might have a losing record, but the Detroit Lions (4-1) still have the chance for another statement victory when they visit Arrowhead Stadium for a primetime Sunday matchup.
Winning in Kansas City hasn’t been a sure thing — even if the Lions did so in 2023 — with the Chiefs going 10-0 at home last season.
The Lions won’t be underestimating the Chiefs with the chance to win their fifth straight game and do so against a perennial Super Bowl contender.
Here are score predictions for Detroit’s road matchup with the Chiefs from MLive’s beat writers:
Ben Raven
These Lions and Dan Campbell are built for games like this — primetime, football world watching against a perennial contender.
The Chiefs need this one at 2-3. But the Lions need it just as badly with their daunting five-game stretch ahead. Kelvin Sheppard’s defense has proven to be masters of adjusting and preparing for each specific opponent, week in and week out, to this point. And John Morton’s offense has hit its grove, and then some.
Patrick Mahomes remains a matchup nightmare, and the injuries to the secondary are concerning. But that pass rush and those linebackers have answered the call in impressive fashion. With the way the Lions are rolling, I will have a difficult time picking them to lose to anyone, anywhere or anytime.
Prediction: Lions 38, Chiefs 24
Kory Woods
On paper, this is a game the Lions should be able to win by at least seven to 12 points. They enter Week 6 as the NFL’s top-scoring team, and Jared Goff is playing MVP-caliber football. Dan Campbell, meanwhile, is 12-2 in prime-time games.
Having said that, I question whether Detroit has the horses in the secondary to slow down a desperate Chiefs team that could see its postseason hopes effectively vanish with a fourth loss Sunday. A defeat would drop Kansas City’s playoff odds to roughly 10 percent.
I expect Patrick Mahomes to be at his best and to test Detroit’s thin secondary early and often. The Lions have the front-seven talent to make life difficult for Mahomes—especially if Alim McNeill returns—but considering the factors above, plus the challenge of playing at Arrowhead Stadium, this feels like one the Lions let slip away.
Prediction: Chiefs 35, Lions 28
Jacob Richman
There’s quite a few ways to look at this matchup, but I want to put it pretty simply.
When the Lions played in a close game, they got the job done. When the Chiefs have been in tightly-contested matchups this season, they’ve come out on the losing side all three times.
I don’t see Kansas City running away with this one like their winning efforts this season and the Lions are operating at one of the highest levels in the league right now.
Prediction: Lions 31, Chiefs 28
Here are some additional predictions from national media for the Lions-Chiefs game:
CBS Sports
Pick: Chiefs
“The Chiefs are on a short week off a tough loss to the Jaguars on Monday night. But they face a banged-up Lions team. The Chiefs are in desperation mode, and I think that will show here. The Chiefs will win a high-scoring game, taking advantage of the injured Lions defense. Patrick Mahomes will win it late. ”
ESPN
Pick: Lions (majority)
NFL.com
Pick: Chiefs (majority)
“I don’t feel good about picking against the Lions. They have looked like the best team in the league for a month now, while the Chiefs are trying to regroup on a short week after Monday night’s soul-crushing loss in Jacksonville.
Teams coming off an MNF defeat this season are 0-6, but maybe this is where the streak ends. There were glimmers of hope, even in bitter defeat, for the reigning AFC champions. The offense is moving in the right direction, with the Patrick Mahomes-led passing game improving since Xavier Worthy returned from injury in Week 4. Kansas City has scored 28 or more points in back-to-back games for the first time since late in the 2022 season.
I’m expecting the Chiefs to continue at that pace against a Detroit defense that is badly beaten up at cornerback right now. Now, the question is whether Steve Spagnuolo can get his group to tighten up — especially against the run — at least enough for the team to win a shootout at home. I’ll believe for at least one more week.”
The Arizona Republic
Pick: Lions
“Yes, the Chiefs are at home and are a slight favorite in odds for this game. Jared Goff and company, however, have won four straight and are the hottest team in the NFL. Kansas City won’t be able to score enough points to stay with Detroit.”
The Sporting News
Pick: Lions
“This might be a pick ‘em by kickoff given how well the Lions have played since the Week 1 loss against Green Bay. The Chiefs’ front-loaded schedule continues, and Detroit has taken advantage of a plus-seven turnover ratio the last four games. The Lions beat Kansas City 21-20 in the 2023 season opener – so the confidence is there.”
USA Today
Pick: Lions (majority)
“The Lions have one of the best offenses and defenses in the NFL this year. The Chiefs seem to be coasting by on name value alone.”
NBC Sports (Pro Football Talk)
Pick: Lions (unanimous)
“Why are the Chiefs favored?”
Bleacher Reporter
Pick: Lions (majority)
“The Chiefs have beaten the Giants and Ravens this season, two teams with a combined two wins.
I often struggle with doubting Kansas City, and it could well win this game, but the Lions are 5-2 when getting points on the road since 2023 and 17-4 as an away team overall.
Can the Chiefs defense do enough to slow down a Lions offense that has scored 34 points or more in its last four games? If it’s a shootout and a potential last-drive-wins scenario, I’d rather have the points in my pocket.”