Pro Picks: Chiefs will beat the
Lions in a marquee matchup that still could be a Super Bowl preview
[October 09, 2025]
By ROB MAADDI
A Lions-Chiefs matchup was considered a potential Super Bowl preview
when the schedule came out.
It still could be considering the state of the AFC.
Jared Goff leads a dynamic Lions offense against Patrick Mahomes and
the inconsistent Chiefs on Sunday night in Kansas City in one of the
biggest games in Week 6.
Detroit (4-1) rebounded from a lopsided loss to Green Bay in Week 1
to win four in a row. The Chiefs (2-3) were on the right track with
two straight wins after opening 0-2 but gave up a final-minute score
to lose to Jacksonville on Monday night.
Still, Kansas City is only one game behind in the AFC West and two
behind the Bills (4-1), Jaguars (4-1) and Colts (4-1). The Chiefs
visit Buffalo in Week 9 so they just need to go on a run.
The Lions are 12-2 in prime-time games with Goff and coach Dan
Campbell but both of those losses came as underdogs.
Despite owning a losing record, the Chiefs are 2 1/2-point
favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
Pro Picks leans toward the home team.
CHIEFS: 30-27
NEW ENGLAND (3-2) at NEW ORLEANS (1-4)
Line: Patriots minus 3 1/2
Drake Maye and the Patriots made a statement with a comeback win at
Buffalo. They’re not letting the Bills cruise to another AFC East
title. Now, Mike Vrabel’s team has to avoid a letdown against the
rebuilding Saints. Since 2018, teams in the middle of three-game
road trip are 29-12 straight up and 28-13 ATS.
BEST BET: PATRIOTS: 26-17
SEATTLE (3-2) at JACKSONVILLE (4-1)
Line: Jaguars minus 1
The Seahawks nearly overcame an injury-depleted defense before a
late pick by Sam Darnold led to a loss. Despite the turnover,
Darnold is thriving in Seattle’s offense and the defense will
benefit from getting at least a few starters back. Trevor Lawrence
led the Jaguars to an impressive comeback win that may have been
easier if not for his own mistakes along the way. An opportunistic
defense has helped Jacksonville already match last season’s win
total. Since 2018, the Seahawks are 15-8 ATS in the Eastern time
zone. The Jaguars are 3-3 straight-up and 4-2 ATS on short rest with
Lawrence.
UPSET SPECIAL: SEAHAWKS: 27-23
PHILADELPHIA (4-1) at NEW YORK GIANTS (1-4)
Line: Eagles minus 7 1/2
The Eagles just lost for only the second time in 22 games but the
feeling around Philadelphia surrounding the reigning Super Bowl
champions is quite negative because the offense has been stagnant.
Five turnovers, including three by Jaxson Dart, cost the Giants in
New Orleans. Jalen Hurts is only 6-6 straight up against NFC East
opponents on the road but the Eagles are 11-0 against the Giants in
prime-time games since 2009, including 8-2 against the spread.
EAGLES: 23-18
DENVER (3-2) at NEW YORK JETS (0-5), in London
Line: Broncos minus 7 1/2
Bo Nix and the Broncos overcame a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit
in Philadelphia to hand the Eagles their first loss. They’re going
abroad and can’t overlook a woeful Jets team. Aaron Glenn’s squad
sure looks like the same old Jets. Favorites are 37-14-1 straight-up
and 33-19 ATS in international games.
BRONCOS: 24-13
LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-2) at BALTIMORE (1-4)
Line: Rams minus 7 1/2
The Rams let an injury-riddled 49ers team missing Brock Purdy and
several more key starters beat them at home. They’ll have to be
ready for another team decimated by injuries. With Lamar Jackson,
the Ravens can beat any team. Without him, they’re in trouble.
RAMS: 26-20
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (3-2) at MIAMI (1-4)
Line: Chargers minus 4 1/2
A depleted offensive line has impacted Justin Herbert and now he
won’t have running back Omarion Hampton for four games and Najee
Harris is already out for the season. The Chargers are facing the
worst run defense in the NFL so Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal
could have a big day anyway. Tua Tagovailoa and Miami’s offense have
struggled to get going this season, ranking fifth-lowest in total
yards. Still, they’ve scored 24.8 points per game over the last four
weeks and only managed one win. The Chargers are 13-6 ATS with
Herbert in games played in the Eastern time zone.
CHARGERS: 23-20
[to top of second column] |
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) celebrates as he runs off
the field after an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in
Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
CLEVELAND (1-4) at PITTSBURGH (3-1)
Line: Steelers minus 5
Rookie Dillon Gabriel played well in his first career start despite
a loss to Minnesota in London. The Browns have a stingy defense that
will keep them close in games. Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers are
coming off a bye. The Steelers are 8-0 straight up and 6-2 ATS after
a week off in the regular season since 2017. The Browns have lost 21
consecutive regular-season games in Pittsburgh.
STEELERS: 20-17
DALLAS (2-2-1) at CAROLINA (2-3)
Line: Cowboys minus 3 1/2
Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP level, helping the Cowboys stay
competitive despite a dismal defense. Rico Dowdle had 206 yards
rushing last week in Carolina’s impressive comeback win. He could
surpass that total against Dallas. With Prescott, the Cowboys are
40-13 straight up and 33-18-2 ATS against teams with a losing
record.
COWBOYS: 27-20
ARIZONA (2-3) at INDIANAPOLIS (4-1)
Line: Colts minus 6 1/2
The Cardinals have lost three straight on the final play, including
an embarrassing loss to Tennessee last week in which they made
sloppy mistakes. Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor and rookie tight end
Tyler Warren have the Colts off to an excellent start. The Colts are
3-0 ATS as favorites this season.
COLTS: 27-20
TENNESSEE (1-4) at LAS VEGAS (1-4)
Line: Raiders minus 4 1/2
Cam Ward called out his team and then led the Titans to their first
win. The Raiders have lost four in a row. Geno Smith needs to stop
throwing picks. He should just hand the ball to Ashton Jeanty. The
Titans are 0-9 ATS following their last nine wins.
RAIDERS: 26-19
CINCINNATI (2-3) at GREEN BAY (2-1-1)
Line: Packers minus 14
Joe Flacco beat the Packers last month with the Browns. Now, he gets
a shot to do it again just five days after joining the Bengals. The
Packers followed up a loss to the Browns with a disappointing tie
against Dallas. Micah Parsons could have a career day chasing the
40-year-old Flacco.
PACKERS: 31-13
SAN FRANCISCO (4-1) at TAMPA BAY (4-1)
Line: Buccaneers minus 3
Mac Jones led the depleted 49ers to an improbable Thursday night win
against the Rams and is 3-0 as a starter. Is he the next Baker
Mayfield? His resurgence may have to wait. Once Purdy is ready to
go, Jones will resume backup duties in San Francisco. The Buccaneers
have won four games with a final-minute score. They’re banged-up,
too. The 49ers are 18-19 ATS under coach Kyle Shanahan when they
have extended rest. The Bucs are 9-9 ATS as a favorite with
Mayfield.
BUCCANEERS: 27-23
BUFFALO (4-1) at ATLANTA (2-2)
Line: Bills minus 4 1/2
Josh Allen and the Bills try to rebound after their first loss of
the season. They play in prime time for the fourth time in six
games. The Falcons had an extra week to prepare for the Bills
following a bye. They’ll have had 15 days in between games by
kickoff on Monday night.
BILLS: 24-20
CHICAGO (2-2) at WASHINGTON (3-2)
Line: Commanders minus 4 1/2
The Bears’ 10-game losing streak last season began when Jayden
Daniels and the Commanders beat them on a Hail Mary pass. Chicago
has a better team this time around. Daniels returned after missing
two games and led Washington to a convincing win on the road against
the Chargers. Daniels is 4-2 in prime-time games. Williams is 0-4.
COMMANDERS: 27-20
___
Last week: Straight up: 8-6. Against spread: 8-6.
Overall: Straight up: 55-22-1. Against spread: 40-38.
Prime-time: Straight up: 10-7-1. Against spread: 6-12.
Best Bet: Straight up: 4-1. Against spread: 3-2.
Upset Special: Straight up: 4-1. Against spread: 4-1.
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