2. The Lions’ high-powered offense begins with their running game.
Detroit leads the NFL in scoring through Week 5, averaging 34.8 points-per-game, and that’s despite tallying just 13 points against the Packers in the season-opener. The Lions have topped at least 34 points in all four of their matchups since then, and at the core of Detroit’s success offensively has been the dynamic duo of tailbacks David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, who have combined for 635 rushing yards this year.
The Lions rank second in the NFL in rushing attempts this year with 152, and those carries have been split right down the middle between Gibbs (70 carries) and Montgomery (61 carries). As a result, Detroit is the only team to feature multiple 300-yard rushers so far this year, and when the running game is working well, it sets up a ruthlessly efficient passing attack that makes the Lions very difficult to slow down.
Quarterback Jared Goff leads the NFL in completion percentage at 75.2% while distributing the football to playmakers like wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, tight end Sam LaPorta and wide receiver Jameson Williams, leading an offense that racks up 365 yards-per-game on average. St. Brown, in particular, leads the NFL in touchdown grabs (6) and ranks second in receiving first downs (25).
It all begins with their running game though, and while difficult to stop, opponents have found success against it at times this season. Notably, the Packers held Gibbs and Montgomery to a combined 44 rushing yards in Week 1, ultimately leading to an off-balance performance by Detroit that held the Lions without a touchdown until the final minute of the game.
The Chiefs have been largely successful against opposing running backs this season, too, holding the likes of Saquon Barkley (88 yards), Travis Etienne (49 yards), Omarion Hampton (48 yards) and Derrick Henry (42 yards) to manageable totals.
The first step to a victory on Sunday night will be doing the same against Gibbs and Montgomery.