Detroit Lions lose heartbreaker to Kansas City Chiefs

The Detroit Lions took a lead in the fourth quarter but were unable to stop the Kansas City Chiefs from scoring a late, game-winning touchdown.

The Detroit Lions needed just one stop on fourth and eight. With Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, the Kansas City Chiefs knew they had a shot.

Running back Darrel Williams scored the game-winning touchdown on a one-yard rush with 20 seconds remaining after Mahomes ran for a key fourth-down conversion earlier in the drive, as the Chiefs beat the Lions on Sunday, 34-30. It was Williams’ second score of the day.

Receiver Kenny Golladay caught a pair of touchdowns for Detroit, including the go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter before the Chiefs’ final drive. Golladay had a touchdown called back earlier in the game. Two Hail Mary attempts by the Lions fell incomplete to end the game.

Matthew Stafford started at quarterback for the Lions despite a nagging hip/back injury and marched the offense down the field on their first drive. The offense stalled inside the red zone though, and the Lions settled for a short field goal. Stafford finished 21/34 for 291 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Kansas City responded with an impressive first drive, but Harrison Butker missed a 36-yard field goal. The high-powered Chiefs’ offense managed just three points on their first three drives. The Lions took advantage on their next drive, registering a 5-yard touchdown toss to rookie T.J. Hockenson.

The Lions led 10-0 after one quarter, but the Chiefs were inside of the 10-yard line to end the opening frame. The Chiefs finally reached the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back LeSean McCoy, after the veteran picked up 39 yards on a rush earlier in the drive.

Both teams exchanged field goals to end the second quarter and entered the locker room tied at 13-13.

The teams combined for an astounding five lost fumbles in a bizarre third quarter. Lions running back Kerryon Johnson fumbled inside the Chiefs’ 1-yard line and Kansas City cornerback Bashaud Breeland recovered the ball returning it to the length of the field for a Chiefs touchdown. The play underwent an extensive review and the call stood, giving the Chiefs a 20-13 lead.

The Lions’ running game awoke on Sunday, totaling 186 yards on the ground. Johnson led the way with 125 yards on 26 carries.

Mahomes finished 24/42 for 315 yards through the air. He was held without a touchdown throw for the first time this season.

Lions safety Quandre Diggs left in the first half with a hamstring injury and Hockenson hit his shoulder and head hard on the turf after a hurdling first down reception in the third quarter. Neither returned to the game.

The Lions return to action after their Week 5 bye, when they go on the road to face the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football, October 14th at 8:15 P.M. EST.