Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (#81) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions (1-6) and Kansas City Chiefs (2-5) are getting more and more buried and in danger of missing the playoffs as they accumulate losses each week. They will face each other at the Wembley Stadium this Sunday, November 1, for a Week 8 matchup in London.
Detroit was vanquished by the streaking Minnesota Vikings, 28-19, last Sunday at the Ford Field to bring them back down to their losing form after an impressive 37-34 victory over the Bears in Week 6.
The Vikings were led by quarterback Terry Bridgewater and wideout Stefon Diggs in offense while their defense shut down the Lions from the second quarter onwards on the way to the win, as per USA Today.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs got a huge break in facing the injury-plagued Steelers also last Sunday at their home field of Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City snapped their five-game losing run by beating Pittsburgh, 23-13, as reported by the New York Times.
Quarterback Alex Smith outplayed the Steelers' third-stringer turned starter Landry Jones, throwing 21-of-32 for 251 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, and two sacks for a QBR of 75.3.
Facing the hungry Lions will be difficult for the mercurial Chiefs as Matthew Stafford and company is looking to redeem themselves from the disappointing loss to Minnesota in a game they led 14-3 after the first quarter.
Prediction: Lions win, 21-17.
Detroit Lions starting lineup
Offense: Stafford (QB), Abdullah (RB), Riddick (FB), Johnson (WR1), Tate (WR2), Ebron (TE), Reiff (LT), Tomlinson (LG), Swanson (C), Warford (RG), Waddle (RT)
Defense: Jones (DE), Ngata (DT), Wright (DT), Ansah (DE), Whitehead (OLB), Tulloch (MLB), Bynes (OLB), Slay (CB1), Mathis (CB2), Ihedigbo (SS), Quin (FS)
Kansas City Chiefs starting lineup
Offense: Smith (QB), West (RB), Sherman (FB), Conley (WR1), Wilson (WR2), Kelce (TE), Stephenson (LT), Grubbs (LG), Morse (C), Fulton (RG), Fisher (RT)
Defense: Nunez-Roches (DE), Howard (NT), Bailey (DE), Houston (OLB), Johnson (ILB), Mauga (ILB), Hali (OLB), Peters (CB1), Smith (CB2), Parker (SS), Berry (FS)
