The (2-3) Kansas City Chiefs will host the (4-1) Detroit Lions for the Week 6 edition “Sunday Night Football” on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The game will kick off at 7:20 p.m. Arrowhead Time — and
feature one of the NFC’s top contenders against a Kansas City team that desperately needs a win to stay afloat in the AFC West.
The Lions boast a powerful, star-studded offense, along with drastically-improved defense that is quickly closing in on the league’s top-10.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs — fresh off a frustrating 31-28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on “Monday Night Football,” will be trying to get back to 0.500 — and collect much-needed boost heading into the return of wide receiver Rashee Rice next week.
Here are five things to watch in Sunday night’s matchup.
1. More under-center plays
On Monday night — for the first time this season — Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes regularly lined up under center. That allowed the Chiefs to find big gains on the ground and through the air.
Running back Kareem Hunt ripped off a season-long 33-yard run from the shadow of his own goal line, while Mahomes used play-action looks from under center to fire long completions to wide receiver Tyquan Thornton — and help get tight end Travis Kelce open underneath.
It’s no coincidence that Monday’s game was the best the Chiefs have looked while running the football this season. The downhill nature of the under-center running game perfectly suits both Isiah Pacheco and Hunt. In addition, this improved running game will continue to open up the passing attack — and more opportunities for play-action passes will lead to explosive shots downfield.
2. The Chiefs’ wide receivers
Yes… Kansas City lost the game in Jacksonville. But for the second straight week, the Chiefs’ passing attack looked highly efficient. It was the best it has been in two seasons.
On Sunday night, Kansas City’s receivers should still be primed for a big day. The Lions’ defense has allowed 800 yards and seven touchdowns to opposing wideouts this season. That’s the sixth-most yards — and is tied for the third-most scores.
It’s true: some of that production came in garbage time after the Lions built big leads. But the Chiefs should still keep their receivers going. Thornton is having a breakout season, becoming the secondary deep-ball threat Mahomes has needed. Thus far, Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster have both had quality seasons. And even with his torn labrum, Xavier Worthy (and his speed) have been the icing on the cake.
3. Stopping the Lions’ pass rush
For the Chiefs to hit those deep passes, Mahomes will need time to throw. That will be no easy task against the Detroit pass rush, which ranks second in sacks (16) and eighth in total pressures (42).
Star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has been the key to the Lions’ defensive turnaround. He’s tied for third in the league with five sacks through four games, leads all players with 31 pressures and owns a staggering 25.6% pass-rush win rate.
Stopping him will be a tall task, but the Kansas City offensive line is coming off its best performance of the season. Against Jacksonville, Mahomes wasn’t sacked at all — and was hit only four times — giving him ample time to operate.
In this matchup, Kansas City would be wise to give its tackles some help against Hutchinson — and slide protection his way whenever that is possible.
4. Detroit on fourth downs
Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell is never afraid to go for it on fourth down — and this year, neither are the Chiefs. Kansas City leads the NFL with nine fourth-down conversions on ten attempts, using its aggressiveness to extend drives and sustain scoring opportunities.
The Lions have converted seven of nine fourth-down tries this year — and as Chiefs’ special teams coordinator Dave Toub noted this week, Campbell has a history of calling fake punts, too. He hasn’t yet called one this season, so it’s fair to expect a few gambles from both sidelines.
The game could very well come down to one of those plays — and each side must be ready for the other to roll the dice.
5. A high-scoring affair?
It’s been a while since Arrowhead Stadium has hosted a true shootout, but it appears that conditions could be ripe for one.
For the past two seasons, the Lions have fielded one of the NFL’s most dangerous offenses. 2025 has been no different. They rank among the top-10 in nearly every major offensive category — and feature a roster stacked with playmakers like running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta.
Quarterback Jared Goff is enjoying a career renaissance in Detroit, playing like a top-tier passer. He currently leads the league in touchdown passes. He plays behind a Lions offensive line that has dominated while opening lanes and keeping Goff clean.
That’s bad news for a Chiefs defense that was torched in Jacksonville — but the good news is that Kansas City’s offense appears to have found its stride. For the first time in two seasons, the Chiefs have climbed back into the top-10 in several major offensive categories; Mahomes has quietly turned in his best start since 2022.
The Chiefs cannot afford to fall to 2-4 — and everyone in the building is going to know it.
