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The Detroit Lions beat the reigning Superbowl LVII champions Kansas City Chiefs, in a very close and tight game on Thursday night. The final score was 21-20.
FINAL: The @Lions open the 2023 season with a victory. #Kickoff2023 pic.twitter.com/KOqlecJMXv
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2023
For starters, this was a terrible game for the Chiefs. Last season, they averaged 37.8 points a game; the Chiefs barely scored half that many this game. They are failing to score a touchdown after halftime and are unable to convert on their third down plays. The Chiefs dropped the ball on this one- quite literally. Kadarius Toney dropping crucial passes from Mahomes and completely missing catches. One catch was a 50-yard pick-six by Brian Branch.
BRIAN BRANCH PICK-SIX IN HIS FIRST NFL GAME
📺: #Kickoff2023 on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/EBLJ3Rwf5g pic.twitter.com/RzuewZE45n— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2023
For the Lions, they are looking sharp and stronger than ever. Making significant and risky plays when necessary. Just in the first quarter, faking a punt on the Lion’s 20-yard line and ran the ball. They were allowing the Lions to get a first down. Later in the drive, the Lions score a touchdown through that risk. For the Lions, fans were wondering how the rookies would do. Looking at this game, rookie RB Jahmyr Gibs, TE Sam LaPorta, and DB Brian Branch all showed up and showed fans and viewers that they will be big pieces for Lion’s success.
The game came down to the fourth quarter, where David Montgomery scored the touchdown that allowed the Lions to lead for the first time since the first quarter by a single point—those final five minutes of the game had both Chiefs and Lions fans holding their breaths. Almost at the two-minute mark, Chiefs safety Justin Reid blocks the ball from completing the pass. This causes a turnover and allows the Chiefs to take the lead.
During this drive, Mahomes throws the crucial pass to Kadarius Toney, which, as mentioned earlier, he drops. Then, later in the drive, Rashee Rice does not complete the pass. Afterward, on a 4th and 25, Mahomes scrambles to make a big play and throws downfield where both Watson and Moore went for the pass but could not complete it—overturning to the Lions. The Lions could hold onto the ball until the end of the game and finish with a final score of 21-20.
The @Lions take over after the incompletion!
📺: #Kickoff2023 on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/EBLJ3Rwf5g pic.twitter.com/98JwMguwoa— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2023
This left Lions fans thrilled and excited to see what the rest of the season has in store. Chiefs fans are wondering if things would have been different if Kelce had been on the field, or if this was just a rough week for them.
