NFL Week 4 Lions vs. Chiefs: Matthew Stafford injury could make impact on Detroit

It hasn't always been impressive from an aesthetic standpoint, but the early portion of the 2019 NFL season has been kind to the Detroit Lions. Matt Patricia's team emerged from the first three weeks with a 2-0-1 record and, in back-to-back weeks, Detroit knocked off a pair of playoff-caliber teams in the Los Angeles Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Lions face a unique challenge in Week 4, however, and they will do so without the benefit of a starting quarterback who is 100 percent healthy. 

Matthew Stafford was a surprise inclusion on this week's injury report, emerging with a hip injury. While there is buzz that Stafford remains likely to play in this match-up against the Kansas City Chiefs, the betting market noticed that the veteran signal-caller was named on the injury report. Within an hour, many shops moved the point spread from the Lions operating as a 6.5-point home underdog to a full 7-point number. 

In the grand scheme, a half-point move isn't earth-shattering. In the same breath, seven is a key number in NFL circles and, even if Stafford is able to play as many expect, it feels safe to assume that he isn't at full strength. The Chiefs deploy the league's most explosive offense and, for Detroit to compete in a big way in Week 4, Stafford and the offense will need to be capable of matching Patrick Mahomes and company stride for stride. 

So which teams should you back in Week 4 of the 2019 NFL season? And which Super Bowl contender gets stunned? ... Join SportsLine here to see which teams are winning more than 50 percent of simulations, all from the model that has returned over $7,000 on its top-rated picks!