The Chiefs lose the NFL season opener to the Lions 21:20

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t get off to the start they had hoped.

The Chiefs lost their season opener without defensive tackle Chris Jones and tight end Travis Kelce 21:20 against the Detroit Lions.

After a fake punt on their own 17 kept the drive going, the Lions capped a 14-play, 91-yard drive with a nine-yard TD pass from quarterback Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. near the end of the first .Brown to conquer quarter.

The Chiefs responded with their own 13-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Patrick Mahomes finding rookie receiver Rashee Rice in the back of the end zone for a touchdown early in the second quarter.

Rice’s touchdown is the first touchdown by a rookie since 2021.

With less than two minutes left, a 34-yard bomb to receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling set up tight end Blake Bell for the second touchdown of his career.

The Chiefs took a 14-7 halftime lead.

In the second half, a pass to receiver Kadarius Toney was tipped by him and intercepted by Lions rookie safety Brian Branch and brought to the house to tie the game at 14.

The Chiefs were plagued by drops from receivers that led to two field goals, giving them a 20-14 lead in the fourth quarter.

The Lions then needed nearly five minutes to get on the field and take a 21-20 lead thanks to a rushing touchdown by David Montgomery with 7:06 to play.

With six minutes left on third down in their own territory, the Chiefs attempted a QB sneak play with their trademark Blake Bell offense using a new type of trick where they faked the snap and ended up taking it Rice passed on.

The play was stopped in the backfield by the Lions defense.

After a fourth down stop gave the Chiefs the ball back, a holding penalty by left tackle Donovan Smith negated a first down and a false start by right tackle Jawaan Taylor pushed the Chiefs back to 4th-and-25, which they were unable to convert .

Mahomes threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns and one interception while also being the rushing leader with 45 yards.

Goff finished the night with 253 yards and a touchdown.

The Chiefs can take the weekend off before facing the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, September 17th.