Thursday Night Soccer: Chiefs drop opener 21-20 to upstart Lions
The Chiefs didn’t miss Chris Jones as a lot as they missed Travis Kelce.
With out their star tight finish, the defending Tremendous Bowl champions gave Patrick Mahomes no reliable receiver. It allowed the upstart Lions to escape with a monstrous 21-20 upset of the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium.
The Lions began 1-6 final yr earlier than turning it round. They’re headed in the suitable route now, displaying they plan to dwell up to the offseason expectations.
However for every little thing Detroit did proper Thursday night time, the Chiefs did as a lot mistaken.
Mahomes nonetheless seemed like Mahomes, one of the best quarterback on the planet, however he obtained no assist with 4 dropped passes and a deflected one. Kadarius Toney had a horrible, horrible, no good, very unhealthy day, dropping passes all night time, together with one which bounced into the arms of Lions rookie Brian Department, who returned it 50 yards for a landing.
On the Chiefs’ last probability, Toney dropped a cross; Jawaan Taylor was known as for a false begin; and Donovan Smith was known as for holding. The Chiefs opted to go for it on fourth-and-25 from their very own 30 with 2:09 left, and Mahomes’ prayer wasn’t answered.
David Montgomery ran thrice for 10 yards on the following possession to permit Jared Goff to end it in victory formation with out Mahomes seeing the ball once more.
Mahomes went 21-of-39 for 226 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He additionally rushed for 45 yards on six carries.
He accomplished passes to 11 completely different receivers.
Goff was 22-of-35 for 253 yards and a landing, whereas Montgomery rushed for 74 yards on 21 carries and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs had 9 touches for 60 yards.
The Lions outgained the Chiefs 368 to 316.
The Chiefs settled for area objectives of 35 and 39 yards from Harrison Butker after second half drives of 73 and 47 yards, which is how they discover themselves 0-1 for the primary time since 2014.
