NFL, Detroit beats Kansas City, the Lions are now in the running

They are no longer “the usual Lions”. Detroit comes from behind to win 21-20 in Kansas City and ruin the party for the reigning champions on the night that opens the 2023-24 NFL season. The Lions, who haven’t won a playoff game since 1992, who haven’t played them since 2017, seem to have turned a corner. The 8-2 record to close last season was not a mirage: the proof comes at Arrowhead Stadium where the Chiefs triumphant in the 2023 Super Bowl hosted the seasonal kick-off, where the Chiefs are used to crushing opponents.

CHIEFS: ERRORS AND ABSENCES

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Not this time. This time, without Travis Kelce in attack, injured in his right knee, and Chris Jones in defense, an Aventinian awaiting contract renewal, Kansas City pays the price for illustrious absences. And he makes unforgivable mistakes. The receivers lack comfortable catches, Kadarius Toney combines all sorts of things, even causing an interception for 7 points. Patrick Mahomes doesn’t work miracles, for once. He plays well, but doesn’t amaze, without the support of key players in attack, where Justin Watson proves to be the only reliable target beyond the explosiveness of running back Pacheco. And the offensive line betrays with the game in the balance: the tackles, the modest Smith and Taylor, commit crucial penalties on the last offensive drive, the one of surrender.

THE MERITS OF THE LIONS

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Are so many. The pass rush, especially with Aidan Hutchison, forces Mahomes out of the pocket, the cornerback Gardner-Johnson is as annoying as he is valuable, and in attack Jared Goff plays like a veteran: a “clean” performance with 253 yards thrown and above all no lost balls. Just as the running game in the last quarter finally “breaks through” with David Montgomery and the freshman Gibbs, that’s enough to close the score without even suffering in the sprint. The Detroit Lions haven’t won the Division since 1993: the NFC North is mediocre, it seems like the right year.

THE MATCH

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Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St Brown for the first touchdown, from 9 yards, capitalizing on a 91-yard drive enhanced by the conversion of a fourth down inside his own red zone with a trick running play by the Lions. The hosts’ equalizer came with Mahomes’ pass to Rice, the freshman, after the marvel quarterback closed two crucial third downs with surgical runs. Then McDuffie, the cornerback, forces Marvin Jones’ fumble on his own 15 yards, depriving the guests of 3 points. At the end of the first half Mahomes rummages in his bag of tricks: he finds tight end Blake Bell in the end zone after two fabulous deep runs. The Lions secondary proves to still be a work in progress, despite the proclamations of supposed progress. 14-7 Kansas City at halftime. An interception by the freshman Brian Branch to Mahomes after a drop by Toney, who raises the oval making it prey to the opponent, turns into pick 6: returned for 50 yards for 14 all. Game in the balance. Chiefs kicker Butker extends the lead with a kick from 35 yards: 17-14. He then hits the posts from 39 yards to make it 20-14 at the start of the last quarter. With 7′ to play, Detroit gets back ahead thanks to an 8-yard run by David Montgomery: 21-20 Detroit. With 2′ left on the clock Kansas City finally plays fourth down with 25 yards to go, but the gamble doesn’t pay off. The Lions finish the match running, the killjoy feat is served.

BURROW RENEWAL

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5 years, 275 million. Of which 219 are guaranteed. Joe Burrow, the phenomenal quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, the Chiefs’ main rivals in the Conference, becomes the highest paid player of all time in the NFL. We’re talking about an average of 55 million dollars per season. The new agreement comes after months of negotiations. The best way to start for Cincy, who now knows they can count on the franchise man today and tomorrow.