The Lions don't have a fullback on the roster and they didn't use any two-back sets against the Bucs. The plan coming into the season was to deploy three receivers most of the time.

However, that plan changed when rookie WR Titus Young was slowed throughout camp with a lingering hamstring injury. Instead, they are running most of their offense out of two-tight end formations with Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler. Scheffler, more often than not, is being used like a third receiver.

It's working thus far. Pettigrew had four catches for 57 yards (and he dropped a sure touchdown), Scheffler had an 11-yard touchdown and WR Nate Burleson, who is being moved back and forth from the outside to the slot, had five catches for 60 yards.

The cumulative effect is that offensive coordinator Scott Linehan can create a mismatch almost any time he wants.

PLAYER NOTES

--CB Alphonso Smith (foot) might still be a week away of being on the active 46-man roster. He was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday. "I am just trying to get to the point where (the foot) can handle a long season," Smith said. "I don't want to have any setback. I am being patient, strengthening it and trying to get back that internal confidence I need to do the things I need to do on the field." Smith said his mobility and agility are back and his overall conditioning is good. He's basically just waiting for the call. "I am just trying to do what is best for myself and what's best for the team," he said. "I am working really hard to make sure I don't go through this process again because it's a difficult process."

--WR Calvin Johnson (ankle) missed his second straight day of practice. He has not been ruled out for Sunday. He told reporters on Wednesday that he expects to play.

--FS Louis Delmas (hip) also missed practice for a second day. After jokingly running away from reporters, showing a good first step, Delmas said he hoped to play, but his status would be determined at game time.

--RB Keiland Williams, signed on Monday of Week 1, was not active against Tampa Bay and coach Jim Schwartz won't reveal what his status is this week. "We are getting him up to speed," Schwartz said. "He's doing a lot of different things, including playing fullback on our scout team. It doesn't take a running back long to learn the run schemes, but he's got to learn the protections and things like that. You can still see the skill level and his run mentality, and that's a positive."

--WR Maurice Stovall (hand) continues to practice with a light cast. His availability will be a game-time decision.

GAME PLAN
The talk all week has been about handling success and not taking the Chiefs lightly. "This is the NFL," coach Jim Schwartz said. "You can't read too much into one week. You have to go on the whole body of work, and the Chiefs' body of work is pretty good. They have explosive players, Pro Bowl players and they were a playoff team last year."

The Lions will stress gap-soundness and ball pursuit on defense. The Chiefs have a formidable ground attack, led by Jamaal Charles, Thomas Jones and Le'Ron McClain. They are especially concerned about Dexter McCluster's ability to do damage out of the backfield catching passes in the flat.

Offensively, the Lions will look to attack what appears to be a shaky pass defense. The Bills averaged 12.2 yards per completion last week.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Lions DT Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska) has some not-so-pleasant memories of facing Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles (Texas) in college. "I look forward to seeing another Big 12 guy," Suh said. "I saw a lot of him at Texas. I remember a play he got me on. I won't ever forget that." Charles somehow escaped Suh's clutches with a spin move and raced 50 yards. The Chiefs were the top rushing team in the NFL last year and they averaged 6.0 yards per run in the loss last week. It will be an extreme test for the Lions' defensive line and linebackers.

Lions WR Calvin Johnson will certainly test the back end of any defense, but the Lions will be trying to exploit the absence of Chiefs' safety Eric Berry, who is out with a knee injury. Most likely it will be former Lion Jon McGraw that will replace Berry. The Lions averaged 9.2 yards a completion against the Bucs. They will be looking to take that into double digits against the Chiefs.

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