The Lions are on the road in Kansas City for a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Chiefs as Detroit looks to make it five straight wins. Here are five things to look out for in tonight's matchup:
1. SONIC AND KNUCKLES
The Lions come into this one with the league's No. 1 scoring offense and are looking to score at least 34 points for a fifth straight game. Detroit's rushing offense comes in ranked seventh, averaging 134.8 yards per contest.
Kansas City comes in ranked 26th in the NFL in average yards per carry allowed at 4.78 yards. They've allowed at least 100 yards rushing in four straight games and opponents are averaging 123.4 yards per game on the ground. What's the best way to negate a good Kansas City pass rush and keep Patrick Mahomes on the sideline? Control the time of possession and use Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to open up everything else on offense.
2. LIMITING MAHOMES OUT OF POCKET
Mahomes is one of the best in the business at extending plays outside the pocket and gaining yards with his legs. He leads Kansas City in rushing after five games. Detroit's front seven did a terrific job Week 3 in Baltimore getting after Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (7 sacks) and keeping him contained as a runner.
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard will look for a similar effort tonight against Mahomes. With the injuries the Lions are dealing with the in the secondary, the front seven needs to step up and play well on the road tonight.
3. SECONDARY INJURIES
The Lions are banged up in the secondary and will need several players to step up tonight against an explosive Kansas City offense. Detroit's already down their two starting outside cornerbacks in D.J. Reed (hamstring) and Terrion Arnold (shoulder). Backup defensive back Avonte Maddox showed up on the injury report with a hamstring injury this week and was downgraded to out on Saturday.
The team feels good about veterans Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin stepping in and filling the void on the outside, but that's not the only concern with the secondary coming in.
Safeties Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (ankle) are also dealing with injuries and missed practice time this week. Lions head coach Dan Campbell seemed optimistic they could get Branch to the game tonight but said both he and Joseph will be game-time decisions.
The Lions will need their front seven on defense to play a strong game to make up for some absences in the secondary.
View photos from Detroit Lions practice on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) and Detroit Lions defensive assistant Caleb Collins during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) and Detroit Lions defensive assistant Caleb Collins during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive assistant Caleb Collins and Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (95) and Detroit Lions defensive assistant Caleb Collins during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (25) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) and Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Thomas Harper (12) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (42) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
4. CAN GOFF KEEP IT ROLLING?
Jared Goff has this Lions offense rolling as they lead the NFL in points per game (34.8). Goff ranks first in passing touchdowns (12), first in completion percentage (75.2), second in passer rating (120.7) and has the fourth most completions of 25-plus yards through five weeks. He's playing at an MVP level and will look to keep it going tonight against a good Chiefs' defense.
Kansas City has the league's No. 7 ranked pass defense, holding opponents to under 200 yards per contest (190.6). They rank in the top 10 in sacks with 13.0. This is the best pass defense the Lions have faced so far this season.
5. HUTCHINSON GOES FOR RECORD
Lions veteran edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson is looking for his fifth straight game with a sack, which would be a franchise record. Hutchinson is on a DPOY pace to start the season as he's tied for the NFL lead in total pressures (31), second in forced fumbles (3), second in quarterback knockdowns (8) and tied for fourth in sacks (5.0).
Detroit's defense is second in the NFL behind only Denver with 16.0 sacks on the season. The front seven is playing some of the best football in the Dan Campbell era to start the 2025 season. Mahomes isn't easy to get on the ground. He's been sacked only seven times all season, the sixth fewest in the league.
