A 26-13 road loss by the Kansas City Chiefs Jacksonville Jaguars In their season opener, special teams failures — especially on the league’s new kickoffs — made the biggest headlines. But a 24-23 home loss on Saturday afternoon Detroit LionsThe Specialists had a solid game – and some reserves turned heads (for both good and bad) after wearing ball caps on the sidelines.
First quarter
After the Lions won the opening toss, the Chiefs began possession. The offense started from the 24 yard line.
The starting offense took possession for Detroit and faced a quick third down after two quick dropbacks went nowhere. On third-and-long, freshman receiver Xavier Worthy took off vertically and found space downfield for a 39-yard completion; It was a great grab, but he could have gotten away with a false start on the play. On the next snap, a play-action pass up the middle created space for senior receiver Justin Watson to gain 20 yards.
Those two big finishes were the only productive shots on the opening drive; The Chiefs settled for a field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.
The Lions came out with a backup offense against the Chiefs’ starting defense. Defensive end George Karloftis made them pay immediately with edge pressure that led to a first down. It was on third down, but Detroit was able to fend off a zone blitz by the Chiefs, which left defensive end Felix Anutique-Ujoma vulnerable up the middle.
The defense quickly forced a third down, and linebacker Leo Chenel made the tackle short after a completion. Detroit wanted to go for it on fourth down, but a false start penalty pushed them back to Kansas City.
A touchback and a holding penalty put the Chiefs at the 30-yard line. Running back Carson Steele appeared as the lone back on this drive, taking a short carry on first down. On consecutive third downs, wide receiver Rashee Rice found a window up the middle to gain 14 yards and move the chains. He followed it up in similar fashion on the next play with a 14-yarder to advance to Detroit’s 40-yard line.
The offense worked short on third-and-scoring position, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes showed some magic to convert. A sprint out turned into a behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce, who crossed the first-down marker with the Arrowhead crowd reacting to the highlight-reel play. That led to another field goal, pushing the Chiefs lead to 6-0.
The resulting fumble on the kickoff set up the Chiefs’ starting offense to punt back down the field. However, backup quarterback Carson Wentz took Mahomes’ spot with the rest of the first-team unit. Facing third down, the pass protection gave Wentz plenty of time — setting up a wide-open pass to the streaking Worthy in the end zone. Kansas City went 13-0 in the freshman’s latest highlight.
Second quarter
The Lions’ next drive bled into the second quarter and on the Chiefs’ side of the field. The defense settled in and forced a completion on third down. The Lions kicked a field goal to put their first points on the board. The Chiefs still led 13-3.
Wentz is back on the field. He uncorked a deep pass down the right sideline to wide receiver Justin Rose, who hauled in the pass impressively — but couldn’t keep the second down in bounds. Chiefs had to punch first.
After a 10-yard completion on first down, the Chiefs’ reserve defense suffocated the Lions. On third down, freshman safety Christian Rowland-Wallace broke up a pass attempt to force a ball between the hashes.
The Chiefs’ next drive looked like it would start well with a strong outside run by running back Denerick Prince — but wide receiver Katarious Toney was flagged for holding. Jared Wiley made a catch on the next snap and returned it 10 yards. After an offside penalty, the Chiefs timed it well to knock down a short three; Prince had a step on the linebacker on a wheel route, but Wentz’s throw was too far. That led to the Chiefs’ second consecutive shutout.
The Lions found little time to get down the field on this drive. After a 17-yard completion, the quarterback went deep again — finding a receiver who outjumped defenders and into the end zone. The 61st touchdown cut the Chiefs’ lead to 13-9.
The Chiefs’ next possession was punted again on the first play; Ethan Driskell was called to the holding. Prince, who stayed patient and found a seam to gain 41 yards total, made up for it the next second with the lead in space. The big run set up Kansas City at the Lions’ 34-yard line. Two plays later, the Chiefs’ first down attempt was punctuated.
The conversion failed when a quick pressure took Wentz down for a sack. Kicker Harrison Butker saved the day and made a long field goal anyway, pushing Kansas City’s lead to 16-9.
The Lions tried to respond, and the Chiefs defense denied it. Cornerback Keith Taylor bounced back from his role in allowing Detroit’s long touchdown, jumping a throw up the middle and intercepting a pass in Lions territory.
Wentz couldn’t do anything with a good pitch. A quick screen burst to Toney as Rose failed to block the cornerback. Then, a deep third-down attempt by wide receiver Mecole Hartman was too long, leading to a third down.
Detroit took the field in two minutes of practice and converted two thirds into the red zone. Rookie safety Jaden Hicks fumbled an attempt to the end zone, then safety Samarri Connor covered another touchdown attempt on third down. That forced the Lions to settle for a field goal, pushing the Chiefs’ lead to 16-12 with seconds left in the first half.
A holding penalty on the ensuing kick return robbed wide receiver Skye Moore of a nice return. With the score at 16-12, Wentz took a knee.
Third quarter
A number of players wanted to make their mark in the Chiefs’ reserve defence. Undrafted rookie Curtis Jacobs fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half. It was on third down, where Anutike-Uzoma came up with a quick attempt. The lions were forced to pounce.
Third-string quarterback Chris Olatokun took over for Wentz in the second half. He went three-and-out, with a third-down pass to Hartman falling incomplete in tight coverage.
The Detroit Chiefs reserve defense drove down the field and gained 75 yards using 14 plays and seven minutes of game clock. The Chiefs were eventually stopped thanks to sophomore defensive end Truman Jones throwing a screen pass for a first down. A short field goal by the Lions made it 16-15.
Olatokun tried to find a rhythm with the Chiefs’ offense, completing two straight chains to start the drive. He overstretched the next play and was eventually sacked for a 14-yard loss late in the third quarter.
Fourth quarter
The leaders looked back at the lions, who quickly moved the chains in a quick pass. After a run stuffed by Curtis Jacobs, Detroit faced third and short; The Lions looked to punt, but Chiefs defensive backs Neil Farrell Jr. and Truman Jones split a sack to force another punt.
Wide receiver Nico Remigio made a nice catch and run, then wide receiver Cornell Powell followed him with a long play from scrimmage for both teams on the play. A contested catch was secured, then Powell shook off defenders and outran them for a 64-yard touchdown. The Chiefs extended their lead to 23-15.
Lions backup quarterback Hendon Hooker added another impressive drive against the Chiefs’ last defense. A seven-play, 70-yard drive was capped by a run by Hooker — but a two-point conversion attempt failed. Edge defender Owen Carney sacked Hooker in extra play. This gave Kansas City a 23-21 lead.
Fourth-string quarterback Ian Book took over under center for the Chiefs with about five minutes left in the game. He moved the chains to the Baylor Cup as an undrafted rookie tight end in an intermediate completion. A few plays later, Book fumbled trying to extend a play, and the Lions had possession at the Chiefs seven-yard line with three minutes left.
Linebacker Swayze Bozeman had a first-and-second down to participate in the run stuff, leading to a third-and-goal. A signature fumble by Detroit, and Truman Jones dug the ball out of a dog pile. This saved the leadership’s lead for over two minutes.
The book fails to sustain the drive to run out the game. He threw a second-down pass that stopped the clock for the Lions, then couldn’t find anything on third down. The Chiefs were forced to return to Detroit on the two-minute warning.
A strong return by the Lions, which featured at least six missed tackles from Chiefs coverage, put Detroit in position to attempt a game-winning field goal. After two knee downs, Detroit made a 43-yard field goal. The Chiefs lost the exhibition match 24-23.
Injuries
Long snapper James Winchester was replaced by tight end Noah Gray on special teams in the first half. It was later reported that Winchester had injured his shoulder and was questionable to return. He returned to the field in the second half.
Special groups
Kicker Harrison Butker kicked a 33-yard field goal to cap the team’s opening drive. On the second possession, Budkar converted from 37 yards out. He made his only point-after attempt late in the first quarter.
In the third quarter, Butker made a 56-yard field goal for his third successful kick in as many attempts.
Punter Matt Araiza sent his first punt near the Lions’ end zone; It went 61 yards to the net. His second went the same distance, finishing inside the 20-yard line. His third punt was returned from the 10-yard line and landed at the 12.
By the end of the game, Ariza had a total of six possessions; Four of those ended inside the 20-yard line.
Wide receiver Nico Remigio had an early opportunity to return punts in the second half. He gained 43 yards for a nice ankle tackle and almost went the distance. This was a very strong return for the unit as a whole.
Linebacker Cam Jones forced an interception on the kickoff late in the first quarter, resulting in the game’s first turnover. Again Carson Steele recovered the ball.
Lewis Rees-Summit had a chance to play in the second quarter. The kick went into the end zone and returned to the Lions’ 26-yard line.
Rookie cornerback DJ Miller covered well on the opening kickoff of the second half, breaking a block and making an open ankle tackle.
