:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4007540/124668247.jpg)
Last week the Buffalo Bills jumped out to a big lead over the Kansas City Chiefs which made KC start to move away from the run. RB Jamaal Charles averaged 5.6 yards per carry on 10 carries that game so it's not like he wasn't effective but KC got down early and didn't have much of a shot anyway.
I talked with SB Nation's Pride Of Detroit about the Lions' No. 1 priority. The answer was obvious -- get a lead and make the Chiefs stop using Charles.
The Lions must do a good job of stopping the run, especially against a team like the Chiefs. Last week against Tampa Bay, the Lions shut down LeGarrette Blount, who only picked up 15 yards on five attempts. The run defense was very effective, and the Lions forced Tampa Bay to abandon the run by jumping out to a lead in the second quarter. If the Lions can get up by a couple touchdowns early on against the Chiefs and force them to go to the pass more often, it would in turn help them contain Kansas City's rushing attack.
Well, let's hope Chiefs coach Todd Haley doesn't allow Charles to be taken out of the game early. Even early in the second half against the Bills last week, I thought the Chiefs should have committed to the run (it was only a 13-point game) but Charles had just two carries in the second half.
Put simply, the Chiefs can not abandon the run, even if the Lions defense is having success.