Tommy Hayfield's Predictions, NFL 2011 Week 2: Kansas City Vs Detroit

Kansas City vs Detroit
NFL Week 2
Kansas City was crushed by the road-Bills last week in the season opener for both teams...Buffalo came in as a big underdog and left with a huge victory. The Bills laid a 41-7 beating on Kansas City as the Bills continue into this year being able to beat the point spread. They were 6.5 point 'dogs last week, but this week the Chiefs will be the underdogs against the resurgent and surprising-to-some Detroit Lions. The Lions have been established as 6.5 point favorites this week.

The Lions have that tandem of interior lineman who might stop the Chiefs in their backfield this week as well...last week the running game was working relatively well in the big loss to Buffalo: this week the Chiefs might not have a running game to count on and the disappearing passing game will need to become visible. It would appear the Lions will be able to score points against the Chiefs at home in front of a cheering crowd.

Injury Concerns
Detroit
Detroit has lost three players to the injured reserve list this year: rookie offensive tackle Jeremy Culbreath, rookie running back Mikel Leshoure, and 2nd-year defensive back Randy Phillips.

Kansas City
Kansas City has lost four players to injured reserve this year: rookie linebacker Gabe Miller, 3rd year tight end Tony Moeaki, 7th-year offensive tackle Ryan O' Callaghan, and 6th-year linebacker Brandon Siler.

More Facts
This Chiefs team had some big passing numbers last year in some games and Dwayne Bowe is one of the league's top receivers...Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles makes this team a balanced offensive team...he played well in defeat last week.

Last week the Lions went into Tampa Bay and beat the Bucs much to my surprise and to many others by a score of 27-20. This Lions beat the Bucs last year in overtime, but this year the defeat was more resounding as the Lions led by 14 points until the Bucs scored late to close the gap and leave it to our imagination how close the game was.

By the Numbers
#1
The Lions have a dynamic offense when healthy and can score points, but now they have two run-stoppers in the interior line with Nick Farrelly joining Ndamukong Suh who dominated opposing offenses last year. The comfort level of the offense will increase this year as they realize they don't have to simply outscore the other team as the only path to victory.

#2
Matthew Stafford is back at quarterback after going down to injury last year. His presence makes the Lions cohesive on offense since he is their preferred starter at quarterback.

#3
The Chiefs had big problems last week moving the ball effectively against Buffalo...if they trail early against the Lions as they did in Week 1 they will fall into the trap that running-dominant teams have: they are trailing and need to close the gap yet they're a ball-control offense that doesn't play catch-up well.

#4
The Chiefs need to score first and run long drives to keep control of the game.

#5
The Lions need to control the interior line while they're on defense to force the Chiefs out of their strength which is running.

#6
If the Lions score first and get a two-touchdown lead then their offense will be comfortable and they could win big...playing catch-up isn't Kansas City's strength.

My Prediction
Straight
I pick the Lions to win
Over-under
over 43
Against the Point Spread
I pick the Lions (-6.5) to cover the points.

Resources
Cooper's Pick

Related Stories
Detroit Lions Team History
Kansas City Success Stories