The Detroit Lions are just hours away from their highly anticipated showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, October 12, and this clash is shaping up to be even more dramatic than expected. Heading into this matchup, the Lions have climbed to the No. 1 spot in ESPN’s NFL power rankings, released Tuesday, October 7.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs sit at 2-3, an unfamiliar sight for the reigning champions, while the Lions boast a 4-1 record. Despite Kansas City entering as the betting favorite, several factors could tip this game toward Detroit’s favor.

The Detroit Lions will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, October 12, at Arrowhead Stadium. Of course, Taylor Swift is expected to attend to support Travis Kelce, but setting aside the celebrity buzz, the real story is on the field. A key Detroit star who caused concern earlier this week is back at practice and appears healthy again — and that’s a huge relief.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, one of Detroit’s most vital players, was listed as a non-participant in practice on Wednesday, October 8, due to a wrist injury. The news caught fans off guard and caused quite a stir across the team’s fanbase. Fortunately, there’s no reason to panic — St. Brown has returned.

According to Thursday’s injury report, St. Brown was a full participant in practice. A major sigh of relief for Lions Nation. He’s among the NFL’s elite receivers, and his presence is crucial as Detroit prepares for the Chiefs. He’s now on track to take the field at Arrowhead this Sunday.

“After sitting out Wednesday’s session with a wrist injury, St. Brown was seen practicing Thursday, and his participation level suggests the issue isn’t a major concern,” CBS Sports reported on Thursday, October 9. “He’ll now set his sights on a Chiefs defense that has allowed 7.5 yards per target (21st in the NFL) and four touchdown catches to wideouts through five games this season.”

The wrist injury came as a surprise, given that St. Brown has been one of the team’s most durable and reliable players. In fact, he’s only missed two games throughout his entire NFL career.

Detroit Lions on Top of the NFL

Heading into Sunday, the Detroit Lions hold the top spot in the league — a remarkable accomplishment. ESPN’s Week 6 power rankings, released Tuesday, October 7, officially place Detroit at No. 1, and it’s well deserved.

ESPN’s Eric Woodyard noted, “After recording his first 1,000-yard season in 2024, (Jameson) Williams has started off slowly in 2025. He hasn’t topped 50 receiving yards in four of five games as he works to build chemistry with veteran quarterback Jared Goff and eliminate drops.”

He continued, “Williams remains a risky fantasy play, averaging just 7.9 PPR points per game. He hasn’t consistently turned his limited targets into production — but his big-play ability still makes him dangerous.”

That analysis gives Detroit confidence heading into Sunday’s battle. However, with Kansas City’s recent struggles, they’ll be desperate to bounce back — setting the stage for an electrifying Lions-Chiefs showdown.