Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) hands off to running back Isiah Pacheco (10) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Chiefs Could Be In for Mixed Fantasy Game vs. Lions

Originally posted on Kansas City Chiefs on SI
By Andy Quach | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 9:00 AM ET

After three weeks stuck in the mud, the Kansas City Chiefs' offense has now strung together two strong showings in a row. They took full advantage of Xavier Worthy's return against the injury-riddled Baltimore Ravens in a 37-20 blowout win in Week 4. They weren't able to keep their streak going versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they still got plenty of offense in a 31-28 upset defeat on the road.

Anyone who bought in on the Chiefs as a fantasy football factory this season has to be delighted by KC's performance in the past two weeks. Patrick Mahomes, Xavier Worthy, and the rest of the passing game have a great opportunity to continue building their momentum in Week 6's matchup with the Detroit Lions, as ESPN's Mike Clay outlined:

"The Lions are expected to be without the standout cornerback duo of Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed this week (and likely longer). That leaves them with the likes of Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, Avonte Maddox and Tre Flowers as options to try to slow Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Hollywood Brown and Tyquan Thornton. Detroit has already allowed seven TDs (fourth most) and the seventh-most fantasy points to receivers this season (third most to the perimeter), with the injuries only exacerbating the situation. Upgrade Kansas City's passing offense."

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Not every Chiefs player expected to shine

In the past two weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs have greatly benefited from Xavier Worthy's presence in the passing attack. Not only has he given Patrick Mahomes another elite weapon downfield, but he also provides a versatile key for Andy Reid's creative play designs, as well as commands defensive attention to open up space for Travis Kelce and the other pass-catchers.

He's even helped to improve the running game, with the Chiefs averaging 138 yards on the ground since his return. However, Kansas City's ball-carriers still can't be trusted in fantasy football, at least not in this upcoming matchup with the Detroit Lions. The Chiefs' next opponent might be vulnerable through the air, but they've been a stout defense against the run. NFL.com's Mike Florio has warned fantasy players to fade Isiah Pacheco this week:

Isiah Pacheco has faced the lowest percentage of stacked boxes (7.69%) out of any RB in the league.

He has not hit 50 rushing yards in a single game & has scored double-digit fantasy points just once.
— David J. Gautieri (@GuruFantasyWrld) October 8, 2025

"Pacheco leads Kansas City backs in snaps, but he's still splitting carries with Kareem Hunt and targets with Brashard Smith. And Hunt is seeing the valuable goal-line touches. Patrick Mahomes has led the Chiefs in rushing yards in three of their five games, while Xavier Worthy did so in one of the other two. Kansas City's running backs have been largely unreliable for fantasy purposes. If I were to start any of them, it would be Hunt, and I'd hope for a touchdown. Pacheco has looked better, but until he gets more consistent usage, he cannot be trusted."

This article first appeared on Kansas City Chiefs on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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