On paper, the Kansas City Chiefs have a tough task ahead of them against the Detroit Lions to avoid falling to 2-4 for the season. With a stronger AFC West this season, the Chiefs would prefer not to be forced to dig themselves out of a large hole. In practice, however, the Lions may be more vulnerable than they seem, especially on the defensive side of the ball, which provides Patrick Mahomes an excellent opportunity.
In recent weeks, Detroit has been decimated by injuries to its defense. The Lions already have two starting cornerbacks, DJ Reed and Terrion Arnold, out for the foreseeable future. Thursday's injury report reveals the extent of the problem. Star safeties Kerby Joseph didn't participate in practice with a knee injury, and Brian Branch was a limited participant for the second straight day. To make matters worse, defensive back Avonte Maddox, who was likely going to start amid all the injuries, popped up unexpectedly on the injury report with a hamstring injury.
Lions' Injury Concerns Set Patrick Mahomes Up Perfectly in Week 6
Detroit could have up to four starters from its defensive backfield miss Sunday's game. Regardless of how the Lions line up, it will be a new group that has little experience playing together. The Chiefs could take advantage of the situation and get their offense humming.
While the Chiefs' running game has struggled this season, the passing game has been solid. The wide receiver room has settled after Xavier Worthy's return, and Mahomes is averaging 291 passing yards over the last two weeks with Worthy in the lineup. Against a depleted Lions' secondary, Mahomes has a chance to improve upon that number.
If there was ever a statement game this early in the season, this is it for the Chiefs. They have been hearing all week that they may be done for, and how the Bills are now the heavy favorites to win the AFC. Plus, there is the stat that Mahomes has never beaten Jared Goff before. In fact, Goff remains the only quarterback in the league to have faced Mahomes more than once without losing to him. The last time these two teams met was a big upset win for Detroit in the 2023 season opener at Arrowhead.
Hopefully, this provides additional motivation for Mahomes, who has every advantage possible to have a monster game on Sunday. Let's see if the rest of the team, including the so-far-underwhelming defensive unit, can hold their end of the bargain.