Chiefs at Ravens
Prediction: Ravens 27 Chiefs 19
Ravens -3.5
The Chiefs struggles to stop the run last week at Buffalo. They allowed 182 total yards. Bills' QB Josh Allen had 72 and 2 touchdowns. Kansas City was able to survive and advance in that game because of Patrick Mahomes' brilliance. I think today will be a different story. First, KC has some key guys managing injuries. Guard Joe Thuney is out, running back Isiah Pacheco is playing through a toe injury, and linebacker Willie Gay is questionable again with a neck injury. Pacheco's toe injury worries me the most. The Chiefs need him close to 100% because without a rushing threat, Patrick Mahomes will need to drop back to pass about 40 times and hope his cast of below average wide receivers can separate against an elite Baltimore defense. Also, there is no team better equipped to defend Travis Kelce than the Ravens. They are loaded with talent at the safety and linebacker positions. Buffalo last week was asking backups pressed into service to cover him. This week, the Ravens are going to shut Kelce down and force other guys to make plays. I see Baltimore getting out to an early two possession lead in this game, and their defense making Mahomes' life difficult all afternoon.
Lions at 49ers
Prediction: 49ers 26 Lions 23
Lions +7
The Niners barely survived against an upstart NFC North squad last week, and I believe we will see a similar result today. I like the Lions to cover for a couple of reasons. First, San Francisco QB Brock Purdy has been a bit erratic at times. Green Bay failed to cash in on a couple of Purdy passes that could have been huge turnovers. I think the Detroit defense can get a key takeaway or two today - maybe even a defensive touchdown. Also, I believe Detroit coach Dan Campbell will manage the game better than San Fran's Kyle Shanahan. Campbell is going to take every opportunity to be aggressive in this one, and I believe that will give Detroit a chance to keep the score close. Lastly, 49ers' receiver/athlete/matchup weapon Deebo Samuel is coming into this game with injury questions. With a limited version of Deebo, the Niners' offense looks completely different. I think this will be a closely-contested game all the way through, and San Francisco will find a way to eke out a win on a late field goal drive, setting up a rematch of the 2012-13 Super Bowl.
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