In a thrilling season-opening NFL game, the Detroit Lions secured a 21-20 win over the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Thursday night. The victory was sealed by David Montgomery’s 8-yard touchdown run with just 7:06 left in the game.
The Lions found themselves trailing 20-14, following Harrison Butker’s successful field goals of 35 and 39 yards late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter, respectively. However, Montgomery’s touchdown and Riley Patterson’s point-after kick brought Detroit back to clinch the win.
Quarterback Jared Goff led the Lions’ offense with 22 completions on 35 attempts, amassing 253 yards and throwing a touchdown. The Lions, considered by many as a contender in the NFC Central, showed their potential in this season opener with a solid performance characterized by minimal mistakes, with only four penalties and one turnover.
Detroit’s defense stepped up in the second half, with rookie Brian Branch making a significant impact by intercepting a Patrick Mahomes pass that had deflected off an open receiver, Kadarius Toney. Branch’s 50-yard interception return tied the game at 14 early in the third quarter. The Lions’ defense also thwarted the Chiefs on their final two possessions after taking the lead.
Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ star quarterback, completed 21 of 39 passes for 226 yards, contributing two touchdowns in the second quarter but also throwing one interception. He led the Chiefs in rushing with 45 yards but faced several dropped passes. Notably, tight end Travis Kelce was absent from the game due to a knee injury.
The Lions, who had a strong finish last season and narrowly missed a playoff berth, initiated the scoring with Goff’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown in the first quarter. This touchdown capped a 14-play, 91-yard drive lasting over eight minutes, which was ignited by a daring fake punt on fourth-and-2 from Detroit’s own 17-yard line.
Unsurprisingly, the Chiefs responded with a touchdown drive of their own, orchestrated by Mahomes. He connected with rookie Rashee Rice for a 1-yard touchdown pass, concluding a 13-play drive in the second quarter. The Chiefs then extended their lead to 14-7 just before halftime as Mahomes found backup tight end Blake Bell for a 4-yard touchdown. Mahomes’ 34-yard pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, converting a third-and-17, played a crucial role in this drive.
