Week 4 Previews and Predictions

Lions Lowdown Paula Pasche (Lions win 27-24):  https://lionslowdown.com/2019/09/28/five-things-to-watch-as-detroit-lions-face-patrick-mahomes-kansas-city-chiefs/

TBL (3 pick the KC to win by scores of 31-21, 33-28, 42-21.  1 picks the Lions to win 34-28):   https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/nfl-week-4-picks-expert-predictions-01dnhkv0f11g

SN Vinnie Iyer's Pick (The Lions are winning with defense and just enough of the running game, but Matthew Stafford will need to be sharper throwing downfield to give them a chance against the Chiefs. Darius Slay is hamstrung and might not play, allowing Patrick Mahomes free reign with his wide receiver matchups. There’s no reason to think he will cool down here in a controlled road environment. Detroit’s plan to play ball-control and keep-away from Mahomes won’t last long.  Chiefs win 38-27):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-week-4-picks-against-spread-cowboys-saints-chiefs-lions-chargers/1l2vutq8mwxfi16qj8u9c4rv52

SN's Haslop (Kudos to the Lions for reaching Week 4 without a loss, and their tight wins against the Chargers and Eagles over the last couple weeks are notable upsets. They won't manage an upset this week, though. An indoor matchup against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs was going to be tough enough for Detroit with Darius Slay, but the star corner is dealing with a bad hamstring. Kerryon Johnson might have his moments against a vulnerable Kansas City run defense, but even if he does, it won't be enough.  Prediction: Chiefs 30, Lions 21):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-picks-week-4-packers-eagles-bears-vikings/ob7nii6fpsv214lepeoe7zd3r

CBS John Breech (Lock of the Week - Kansas City (3-0) at Detroit (2-0-1):  We're only four weeks into the season, and somehow, the "Lock of the Week" has turned into the least reliable part of my picks column. It's starting to feel like the real "Lock of the Week" is to bet against my "Lock of the Week."  To turn things around, I've decided to what pretty much everyone else is going to do this week: Pick the Chiefs to win.  With the Chiefs playing Baltimore in Week 3, I was a little worried that playing against the Lions in Week 4 might turn into a trap game for Kansas City, but somehow, the Lions are now 2-0-1, which actually makes me feel better about this pick because there's no way the Chiefs are going to overlook an unbeaten team.  My problem with picking Detroit is that I don't think Lions coach Matt Patricia has any idea how to stop an Andy Reid offense. Reid has been the coach in Kansas City since 2013 and during his time with the Chiefs, he's gone up against a Patricia defense three times (Patricia was the Patriots defensive coordinator until 2017). In those three games, the Chiefs averaged 34.3 points and that was with ALEX SMITH as their starting quarterback. With Patrick Mahomes running the show, the Chiefs might hit that number in the first quarter.   The pick: Chiefs 41-24 over Lions):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-4-picks-odds-packers-roll-past-eagles-patriots-pummel-undefeated-bills/

CBS Bryan DeArdo (Kansas City (3-0) at Detroit (2-0-1):  The Chiefs, a week after outlasting the Ravens at home, will win another close game in Detroit while remaining undefeated. The 2-1-0 Lions, who are unbeaten themselves and face another undefeated team this late in a season for the first time since 1962, should keep this game competitive throughout. Prediction: Chiefs 27, Lions 21):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-4-picks-odds-browns-pull-off-stunner-in-baltimore-eagles-downward-spiral-continues/

CBS Prisco (Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5) at Detroit Lions:  This is a game between two undefeated teams as well. The Lions do have a tie, but they are off to a good start. The Chiefs have already won two road games, so they can handle the road. Their players will look even faster here in this one. The Chiefs roll up another big number with Patrick Mahomes. Pick: Chiefs 34, Lions 24):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pete-priscos-nfl-week-4-picks-bills-cover-but-fall-to-patriots-in-battle-of-unbeatens-cowboys-beat-saints-on-road/

CBS Tyler Sullivan (Chiefs win 27-20):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-4-picks-odds-kyle-allen-hype-train-continues-through-houston-ravens-send-browns-further-in-decline/

CBS Jeff Kerr (Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) at Detroit Lions (2-0-1):  The Chiefs had a statement win against the upstart Ravens last week, another game which quarterback Patrick Mahomes was spectacular. Mahomes passed for 374 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions last week, becoming the first player in NFL history with at least 350 pass yards and three pass TDs along with no interceptions in three consecutive games. The Chiefs have scored 25-plus points in 25 straight games, which is the longest streak in NFL history. Kansas City also has more playmakers than Detroit in running back LeSean McCoy, and wide receivers DeMarcus Robinson and Mecole Hardman. Detroit is allowing opponents to complete just 54.76 percent of their passes through three games, but may be without  Darius Slay this week. A tough task for a good secondary.  Pick: Chiefs 34, Lions 21):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/week-4-nfl-schedule-tv-odds-picks-cowboys-continue-torrid-start-in-first-test-ravens-earn-huge-divisional-win/

CBS Cody Benjamin (Kansas City Chiefs at Detroit Lions:  Look, the Lions have a decent defensive front, and their receivers can break off a play or two, but don't be fooled by their record. The Chiefs are going to walk into Ford Field and make that dome their own as Patrick Mahomes continues his MVP campaign.  Prediction: Chiefs 38, Lions 21):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/week-4-odds-picks-bears-edge-vikings-patriots-survive-bills-steelers-get-their-first-win/

NFL.com Cynthia's Prediction (KC wins 30-23):   http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000001058922/Game-Theory-Week-4-win-probabilities-score-projections

Walterfootball (KC wins 34-31):   http://walterfootball.com/nflpicks2019_04early.php

Foxsports (KC wins 29-24):  https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/boxscore?id=8811&type=8

CBS Jordan Dajani (Kansas City Chiefs at Detroit Lions:  I'm surprised that the Lions are yet to suffer a loss this season. They blew a double-digit lead against the Cardinals in Week 1, then gutted out tough wins over the Chargers and Eagles the following weeks. The Chiefs are just too good to lose to the Lions, and they will win in Detroit on Sunday. Mahomes looks like he may be able to repeat as MVP. In three games, he has passed for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception. Even the absence of Tyreek Hill hasn't been able to slow this offense down, as the emergences of Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson have been fun to watch.  The pick: Chiefs 31-17 over Lions):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-4-odds-picks-browns-keep-it-close-in-baltimore-seahawks-rebound-vs-cardinals/

NFL RealGM (Kansas City Chiefs at Detroit Lions (+6.5): The Lions are unbeaten and have accomplished that feat largely by helping opponents shoot their own feet off. That strategy is not going to work against Patrick Mahomes, the best gunslinger in the game. I do think the Lions will get the run game on track against the Chiefs and their league-worst 6.2 yards per carry allowed. But I don’t trust Detroit’s special teams or pass rush enough to keep up with the NFL’s most explosive offense It will be close, but Mahomes and Andy Reid smoke the victory cigars.  Chiefs 30, Lions 24):  https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3186/Football-Meteorology-For-NFL-Week-4

NFL.com Rosenthal (LOCK OF THE WEEK: Kansas City Chiefs 35, Detroit Lions 24: Don't view this game as a litmus test for this improved Lions defense. Justin Coleman is playing like one of football's best slot corners, while Darius "Big Play" Slay is living up to his name. Trey Flowers has started to make a bigger impact alongside A'Shawn Robinson on a rock-solid defensive line. But Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes in September make even quality defenses like those of the Jaguars and Ravens look foolish, and this week should be no different. The bigger question in this matchup is whether a sharper Matthew Stafford, who has been more willing to go down the field, can keep up in a shootout against a Chiefs pass defense that quietly ranks ninth in DVOA and ninth in PFF's pass-coverage grades. This K.C. defense may only need to be average to earn home-field advantage in the AFC again, and the early signs are trending in that direction.):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001059093/article/nfl-week-4-game-picks-eagles-edge-pack-ravens-top-browns

Detroit Lions writer Mike O'Hara (Chiefs win 26-24):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-s-final-thoughts-kennard-looking-for-key-plays-from-defense

PFT (Chiefs at Lions:  MDS’s take: It’s not often that an undefeated team is a touchdown underdog at home, but the Lions are — and they should be even bigger underdogs.  MDS’s pick: Chiefs 35, Lions 16.  Florio’s take: If the Lions can pull this one off, we need to dramatically change how we view the Lions. For now, though, it’s hard to imagine any team not located in New England outpacing Patrick Mahomes and company.  Florio’s pick: Chiefs 34, Lions 24.):  https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/09/26/pfts-week-four-picks-10/

ESPN Week 4 NFL game picks, schedule guide, fantasy football tips and more (Teicher's pick: Chiefs 33, Lions 24
Rothstein's pick: Chiefs 38, Lions 27):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27691599/week-4-nfl-game-picks-schedule-guide-fantasy-football-tips-more

Freep (All 3 pick KC to win by scores of 27-23, 31-26, 31-20 and 34-24):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/28/detroit-lions-game-predictions-kansas-city-chiefs-nfl/3796479002/

Detroit News (All 3 pick KC to win by scores of 27-23, 34-24 and 30-20):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/27/detroit-news-predictions-lions-vs-chiefs/3780207002/

MLive (All 3 pick KC to win by scores of 31-27, 35-21 and 41-29):  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/09/final-score-predictions-for-detroit-lions-vs-kansas-city-chiefs.html

USA Today Picks (All 7 pick KC to win by scores of 34-29, 33-20, 38-27, 27-21, 38-21, 33-23, 28-14.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/09/26/usa-today-week-4-nfl-picks-predictions-cowboys-saints/3772711002/

Non-Score Picks:

NFL.com Picks (Bucky picks the Lions to win):  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/lions-vs-chiefs-preview-week-4

ESPN Picks (10 pick KC.  1 picks the Lions):  http://www.espn.com/nfl/picks

CBS Picks (All 8 pick KC.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/features/writers/expert/picks/straight-up/3

SI Picks (All 8 pick KC.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/09/26/week-4-nfl-picks-mmqb-staff-straight

PFF (All 8 pick KC):  https://mobile.twitter.com/PFF/status/1177249833813495808

Average Score Prediction (1334-960/41):  KC wins 33-23

71 pick KC to win.   4 pick Lions to win.