The Detroit Lions faced the Kansas City Chiefs on September 7 in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season. Here are takeaways and highlights from the game.
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Final Score: Detroit Lions 21, Kansas City Chiefs 20
Some fans were hoping that the Lions would challenge the Chiefs, and others were hoping that the Chiefs would also pick right back up where they left off at the end of the season. Without Chris Jones and Travis Kelce, it was expected that the Chiefs might be a little lost on both sides of the ball. It seemed to play out that way. What football fans got was a game where both teams, at times, looked like high-caliber teams but, on the other hand, appeared to be discombobulated. The game ended with the Lions winning 21 to 20.
The Lions were the first to score, taking the lead on a nine-yard pass from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown. In that drive, the Lions made a gutsy call by going for it on a fourth down on their own 17-yard line. Looking back, it helped set the tone for how the Lions would approach the game. The Chiefs answered in the second quarter with two touchdowns to take the lead.
While the Chiefs are known to be a team that plays better in the second half, the Lions stood their ground. This eventually paid off in the third quarter as a pass intended for Kadarius Toney was dropped. The ball bounced right into the hands of Lions rookie defensive back Brian Branch, who took it back for a 50-yard touchdown, tying the game. Detroit would hold the Chiefs to two field goals, giving a wider lead to Kansas City. In the 4th quarter, Detroit took the lead on an 8-yard David Montgomery touchdown run. After that, Detroit’s defense and the Chiefs’ questionable offensive play calling were enough to give the Lions the victory at Arrowhead.
Highlights
That’s us.#DETvsKC | 🎥 NBC pic.twitter.com/386ns95mIF
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 8, 2023
.@NFL, meet @brianbb_1 #DETvsKC | 🎥 NBC pic.twitter.com/6L7m6SZSrF
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 8, 2023
Let ’em know, @B_Bell10‼️#EasyToCelebrate | @BudLight pic.twitter.com/DL0xlszBm5
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 8, 2023
Welcome to the league, rook 🫡 pic.twitter.com/eXXu6oddxI
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 8, 2023
Looking Forward
Those watching the game could say it was a strange one. Andy Reid made some questionable calls, passes were dropped, and Patrick Mahomes threw an interception. Overall, the Chiefs did not look like themselves, whereas the Lions came ready to play. Where has this Jared Goff been all along? Waiting for the right mixture of coaching and teammates, it seems. The juxtaposition between the teams felt as if someone hit the flip switch to give us a game full of surprises and multiple false starts not called. Looking at you, Jawaan Taylor.
The Lions have shown the league they are ready for the challenge and intend to be better than last season. A win over the reigning Super Bowl champions might set expectations for the rest of the season that Detroit may be unprepared for. They generated consistent pressure against the Chiefs’ offense, and if they continue to do so, a playoff bid might be in their future. Their next game is their home opener against the Seattle Seahawks on September 17. Surprise, consistency, and a belief in themselves got them through this game. Also, taking advantage of a not-quite-themselves Chiefs team did not hurt either.
The Chiefs did not lose because Kelce and Jones were not on the field. While there is no discounting how good the Lions played, the Chiefs shot themselves in the foot—more than once. There were dropped balls from Toney, Skyy Moore, Jerick McKinnon, and Rashee Rice. Hopefully, Kansas City’s uninspiring play will not follow them throughout the season. The Chiefs have film to review and quite a few lessons to learn. Also, apparently, they need to invest in lessons on how to catch a football. The long time they have before their next game will hopefully give Kelce enough time to be available to play. With a little more luck, the holdout by Chris Jones might be resolved soon. Kansas City will be on the road for their next game, playing the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 17.
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