RECAP: Chiefs vs. Lions
What a message the Detroit Lions made on a national platform on Thursday night.
On a night when the Kansas City Chiefs hoisted their Super Bowl banner and upset the reigning champs and MVP Patrick Mahomes, 21–20, head coach Dan Campbell and the Lions entered GEHA Field at Arrowhead.
With just over seven minutes left in the game, the Lions led 21–20 thanks to an 8-yard touchdown run by David Montgomery. From there, the Lions’ defense did their bit, forcing a three-and-out and a turnover on downs. With the help of their potent running game and offensive line, the offense was able to waste the last two minutes of the game.
To start the year 1-0, the entire team had to work together.
For example, on a fourth and 2 at Detroit’s 17-yard line, linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin received a fake punt direct snap from Campbell, demonstrating his willingness to take some calculated risks. This set up Detroit’s first touchdown of the 2023 season. Reeves-Maybin gained three yards by rushing up the middle. The Lions led 7-0 after a 14-play, 91-yard drive that was capped off by a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jay Cutler to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Cutler and the offense did the rest from there.
After a 13-play drive of his own, Mahomes responded immediately on the Chiefs’ following possession with a 1-yard score to wide receiver Rashee Rice.
HIGHLIGHT: Montgomery’s chain-moving third-down run seals the Lions’ season-opening victory.
Late in the second quarter, the Lions appeared to be in position to reclaim the lead, but a few errors ruined a possible drive. First, a Marvin Jones Jr. fumble that was recovered by cornerback Trent McDuffie at the Kansas City 7-yard line, followed by a mishandled snap that cost the Chiefs 10 yards and resulted in a drive back to the 27.
With just 34 seconds remaining in the first half, Mahomes’ second touchdown throw of the game—a 4-yard pass to tight end Blake Bell—gave the Chiefs a 14–7 advantage at the break.
With a 50-yard pick six by rookie cornerback Brian Branch off a deflected pass off the hands of Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney, the Lions immediately tied the score at 14-14 early in the third quarter.
Harrison Butker scored field goals of 35 and 39 yards to give the Chiefs a 20-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
However, halfway through the fourth quarter, Montgomery’s 8-yard run to cap off a nine-play, 75-yard drive proved to be the game-winning play for Detroit.
QB Comparison: Goff had an excellent performance, finishing 22 of 35 throws for 253 yards and one touchdown, while also recording a 94.1 passer rating and no interceptions. His run of tries without attempting an interception was extended to 359.
With a rating of 77.5, Mahomes completed 21 of his 39 throws for just 226 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Important statistic: The Chiefs were 0 for 7 on third down in the second half after going 5-of-7 on the play in the first.
Big play: The Lions coaches were obliged to play Branch with the starters and move C.J. Gardner-Johnson from the nickel to safety because he performed so well in the spring and during training camp.
It’s hardly surprising that Branch, an Alabama rookie, made one of the biggest plays for Detroit’s defense on Thursday night given his track record as a playmaker.
Early in the third quarter, he caught a deflected Mahomes throw near middle and returned 50 yards for a crucial touchdown that tied the score at 14-14.
It’s the first of several huge plays that Branch is anticipated to have this season.
Report on injuries: Branch suffered a cramp late in the third quarter and had to leave the game; he returned later in the fourth. Though his condition was never disclosed in the press box, defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike left the game in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be cramps as well.
