Lions shock Super Bowl-champion Chiefs in sloppy NFL season opener

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It was a sloppy season opener for the NFL on Thursday night, but the Detroit Lions used a second-half surge to take down the Kansas City Chiefs, 21-20, to kick off the new year. 

Patrick Mahomes clearly missed his star tight end Travis Kelce, who suffered a bone bruise at practice on Tuesday and couldn't play. There were drops all over the field in both halves for the Chiefs, and the Lions ended up taking advantage. 

First, Detroit made things interesting in the fourth quarter when quarterback Jared Goff took a shot downfield to Josh Reynolds and connected for 33 yards to set up a red-zone opportunity down by six points, 20-14. 

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Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 07, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Two plays later, David Montgomery rushed it into the end zone from eight yards out for his first touchdown in a Lions uniform, giving the team a one point lead at 21-20. 

Detroit's defense, which was vastly improved this offseason, showcased its ability to get big stops after taking the lead. They halted the Chiefs on the next drive on third-and-1, forcing a punt. 

Then, despite head coach Dan Campbell surprisingly going for it on the ensuing drive and not picking up a first down, the defense stepped up again to essentially cap their win. 

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Normally, Mahomes with over two minutes to play in the fourth quarter and down one point is a victory for the Chiefs. But