Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 9/18

Game Day! We know it, but does the team? Man, I hope so. Today's Kansas City Chiefs news talks about Muir and Flowers and gives us multiple perspectives on what to look for in today's game. Go Chiefs!!

For the first two seasons, Muir’s presence was noticeable only to those who watched the Chiefs’ offensive line. He rarely spoke with reporters. Then, late in 2010, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis — he was the third man in that job since Haley arrived in Kansas City — announced he was leaving for the same position at the University of Florida. Haley targeted a handful of candidates, but as time passed, he decided that Muir would be his man. Muir remained the Chiefs’ line coach, and he’s assisted now by Pat Perles.

Chiefs' Muir Has Waited A Long Time To Call Plays from KC Star

The Lions made the Bucs one-dimensional last Sunday, allowing just 56 rushing yards. What transpired were five three-and-outs in Tampa’s first eight offensive possessions. The Chiefs will have to do better than that to emerge victorious in Detroit.

Kansas City’s aerial attack must aid its ground game. Jitterbugs like Dexter McCluster can help keep Detroit’s front seven stretched from sideline-to-sideline by being effective pass catchers out of the backfield. The threat of flares, screens and wheel routes open rushing lanes and rushing lanes open downfield play-action passes.

Detroit Take Five from The Mothership

Uh... it's in a dome.

Game Day Weather Report from NJ Chiefs Fan

"This feels really good," Flowers said. "I love being a Chief and wanted to be in Kansas City for the rest of my career. To have the business part of my future set feels so good. Now I know that I’m going to be here next year and beyond and it’s just a wonderful thing to have."

As a team policy, the Chiefs don’t release the details of new signings or contract extensions. Flowers first announced the news on his Twitter account following Friday’s practice.

Flowers Feels At Home In Kansas City from The Mothership

Haley got to this point by learning how to make that anger productive. It pushed him from quality control to assistant coach to coordinator to head coach by the age of 41.

He impressed Bill Parcells with this anger, tamed Terrell Owens with this anger, helped drive the Cardinals’ offense to the Super Bowl with this anger, and now, darn it, he’ll push past the Chiefs’ most embarrassing beginning in recent memory with this anger.

Healthy Bit Of Anger Part Of Chiefs Coach Haley's Makeup from KC Star

The Detroit Lions have almost forgotten what it is like to lose.

Oh, how times have changed.

Detroit hasn’t had a setback since Dec. 5, 2010, following one of the worst stretches of failure in NFL history.

The Lions won at Tampa Bay in Week 1 to maintain the momentum built from an undefeated preseason and a four-game winning streak to close last season.

Lions Look to Build on Success for a Change Against Chiefs in Home Opener from The Washington Post

Since 1993, the Lions are 17-32 against the spread when favored from 3½ to 9½ points and 3-9 ATS during the same time frame when favored at home by 7½ points or more. Fitz also cited the Chiefs' 21-6 ATS record on the road following a double-digit defeat.

"The Chiefs are not as good as they were last year, but I don't think they are as bad as they looked last week," Fitz said. "Kansas City will keep this game closer than most expect."

Trends Suggest Chiefs Live 'Dog from The Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Lions won't be the only team running some no-huddle offense. The Chiefs also heavily incorporate the fast-paced offensive style into their game plan. Detroit relies heavily on rotating its defensive line and preventing the Lions from making regular substitutions could limit the effectiveness of the team's feared pass rush.

Four Downs: Beating Kansas City Starts With Stopping Running Back Jamaal Charles from MLive

Gunther Cunningham didn't bring it up once last week. He didn't have to.

Cunningham, the Lions' fire-breathing defensive coordinator, has a long and complicated history with today's opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs, that most everyone in the locker room knows about.

He spent 11 seasons with the organization over two stints. He ran the defense, served two years as head coach, grew close with ownership -- then got blindsided by a firing, only to be hired back three years later as an assistant.

Lions Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham 'Fired Up' To Face Chiefs Today from The Detroit Free Press

Taming Tamba

The Lions were one of two teams -- with the 49ers -- not to allow a sack last week. Of course, they didn't face a pass rusher like Tamba Hali (14 1/2 sacks in 2010). Left tackle Jeff Backus draws the primary assignment on Hali today.

Five Things to Watch in Today's Lions-Chiefs Game from The Detroit Free Press

The Lions ran 68 offensive plays last week against Tampa, 35 runs (including a fumbled snap and lateral to tight end Tony Scheffler) and 33 passes. That balance wasn't by design, according to coach Jim Schwartz. But it is a sign of how dangerous the offense can be.

Lions Hot Topics for Today's Game from The Detroit Free Press

Sloppy with the football: Cassel has thrown six interceptions, and the running backs have lost four fumbles in the Chiefs' past three games (2010 finale, playoff loss, 2011 opener). Haley recently said turnovers were the No. 1 problem for his team. Charles lost two fumbles during the exhibition finale and one more last week. "I go out there and hold that ball like it's my baby," he told the Kansas City Star. "Every time I let it go, it really hurts me."

Lions' Opponents: Meet the Chiefs from The Detroit Free Press

Mikey from Kansas City wants to know if I think the Kansas City Chiefs’ running back Jamaal Charles will be a flop this year.

BW: No way. The guy is legitimate. Yes, he only had 56 yards Sunday, but he only had 10 carries. The key for the Kansas City Chiefs is to get into a rhythm and make sure it can taken advantage of Charles. He needs more chances.

AFC West Mailbag from ESPN

Kansas City plus-9 at Detroit: Underdogs went 9-6-1 against the spread in Week 1. Kansas City was one of the worst looking teams in the league in its opener. It is better than that. This week’s free upset special. … Chiefs 24-21.

King Solomon's Week 2 NFL Picks from The Houston Chronicle