Arrowhead Pride
Five different receivers catch a pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes on head coach Andy Reid’s opening-drive script. Travis Kelce moves the Kansas City Chiefs across midfield, and Xavier Worthy hauls in a pass to set Kansas City up at the Lions’ seven-yard line. Two plays later, Kareem Hunt punches it into the end zone for the game’s first score.
The Detroit Lions’ Dan Campbell wants to test the Chiefs’ strong run defense early. On the first play, Jahmyr Gibbs breaks multiple tackles for a 26-yard gain. The Lions’ offense methodically works its way downfield, converting four third downs along the way.
Before the quarter ends, Drue Tranquill sniffs out a screen pass to Gibbs and brings him down four yards behind the line for a tackle for loss.
End of first quarter: Chiefs 7, Lions 0
The Lions open the quarter with kicker Jake Bates drilling a chip-shot field goal.
On the Chiefs’ next drive, Mahomes connects with wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on a dart that moves the offense into the Lions’ territory. But the drive stalls, forcing Kansas City to settle for a long field goal attempt. Harrison Butker’s kick sails wide left, giving Detroit excellent field position.
The Lions stay aggressive on offense, frequently targeting tight end Sam LaPorta. On a crucial fourth-and-one, quarterback Jared Goff hits LaPorta out of the shotgun for a big conversion.
Amon-Ra St. Brown later finds space on a curl route, putting Detroit inside the 15-yard line. On the next play, Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner comes flying in on a blitz and sacks Goff for a nine-yard loss.
Detroit quickly regains momentum, gaining 18 yards on the following play to set up fourth and short. Goff goes right back to St. Brown, who hauls in a five-yard curl route for a touchdown to give the Lions the lead.
End of second quarter: Lions 10, Chiefs 7
The Chiefs’ defense opens the second half with a statement, forcing a three-and-out. Nick Bolton blows up a screen pass to Gibbs for a loss.
On third and short, Kansas City lines up in shotgun formation, but the handoff to Isiah Pacheco is stuffed, bringing up fourth down. This time, Butker doesn’t miss: he drills the field goal to tie the game at 10 apiece.
On the Lions’ ensuing drive, Goff launches a deep shot to Jameson Williams, who makes the catch to push Detroit deep into the Chiefs’ territory. On the same play, Gibbs exits the game with an apparent injury.
End of third quarter: Chiefs 10, Lions 10
A handoff to David Montgomery is stopped at the two-yard line. On the next play, Leo Chenal sacks Jared Goff to force third down. The Lions can’t punch it in, settling for a short field goal from the one-yard line.
Mahomes continues to rely on Kelce to move the chains. The star tight end hauls in multiple big gains, including his third...
