The Detroit Lions pulled off a stunning upset over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night, winning 21-20 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Lions, who were 14-point underdogs, improved to 2-1 on the season, while the Chiefs dropped to 1-2.
Goff shines in clutch moments
The Lions’ quarterback, Jared Goff, had a stellar performance against the Chiefs, completing 23 of 31 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a crucial first down in the final drive that set up the game-winning field goal by Matt Prater.
Goff showed poise and confidence in the face of pressure, as he led the Lions to three fourth-quarter scores, including a 75-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Jones Jr. with 2:12 left in the game. Goff outplayed his counterpart, Patrick Mahomes, who had a rare off night with two interceptions and no touchdowns.
Lions’ defense frustrates Mahomes and Co.
The Lions’ defense deserves a lot of credit for the upset, as they held the Chiefs’ explosive offense to just 20 points and 314 yards. The Lions’ secondary was especially impressive, as they intercepted Mahomes twice and broke up several passes.
The Lions also made some key stops on fourth down, including a goal-line stand in the third quarter that kept the Chiefs from extending their lead. The Lions’ defensive line also generated some pressure on Mahomes, sacking him three times and forcing him to scramble.
Chiefs miss Kelce and struggle to run the ball
The Chiefs were without their star tight end, Travis Kelce, who missed the game with a hamstring injury. Kelce’s absence was clearly felt, as Mahomes lacked his usual security blanket and had to rely more on his wide receivers.
The Chiefs also struggled to run the ball effectively, as they averaged just 2.6 yards per carry. The Chiefs’ running backs combined for only 45 yards on 17 attempts, while Mahomes added 36 yards on six scrambles. The lack of balance made the Chiefs more predictable and easier to defend.
What’s next for both teams?
The Lions will look to build on their momentum when they host the Chicago Bears next week. The Lions have a chance to take sole possession of first place in the NFC North if they win and the Green Bay Packers lose.
The Chiefs will try to bounce back when they travel to Los Angeles to face the Chargers next week. The Chiefs are in danger of falling behind in the AFC West race if they lose their third straight game.