Kansas City Chiefs report card: Flair isn’t enough as KC falls to Lions on final play
The Chiefs fell to the Detroit Lions 24-23 in a preseason game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday.
The Lions kicked a field goal on the game’s final play to keep the Chiefs winless (0-2) in the preseason.
Here are the grades from Saturday’s game...
KC STAR OF THE GAME
Last week at Jacksonville, 16 different players were targets in the passing game. None of them were first-round draft pick Xavier Worthy. On Saturday’s third snap, Patrick Mahomes found Worthy for a 39-yard gain.
Worthy’s day included three receptions, including a 22-yard touchdown catch from Carson Wentz. The next time we see Worthy likely will be the season opener.
Next: The Chiefs wrap up the preseason on Thursday against the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m., and will be broadcast on Channel 38.
REPORT CARD
Passing offense: C
Against against Lions reserves, the passing game had a nice day. Patrick Mahomes and Carson Wentz combined for 137 yards and Wentz’s 22-yard touchdown floater to Worthy in the first quarter was a highlight. Mahomes’ audacious behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce will get the most attention, but the Chiefs made an effort to get Worthy and Rashee Rice involved early.
The big play came late. Chris Oladokun found Cornell Powell across the middle and Powell did the rest, covering 64 yards down the right sideline and into the end zone for the Chiefs’ biggest play of the preseason.
Rushing offense: C
Isiah Pacheco started, and the second running back was undrafted rookie Carson Steele, who continues to impressive. No big gains like the 20-yarder on his first attempt last week but Steele was solid, and contributed a 6-yard reception. He also made contributions on special teams, with a 36-yard kickoff return.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who didn’t practice this week, didn’t dress. Deneric Prince’s 41-yard run was the Chiefs’ longest of the preseason.
Passing defense: C
Nate Sudfeld started for the Lions and didn’t do much against the Chiefs starters but torched them on a 61-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. Chamarri Conner took a bad angle to allow the big gain.
Highlights: Cornerback Keith Taylor collected a second quarter interception with smothering coverage. Linebacker Owen Carney sacked Hendon Hooker on two-point conversation attempt that would have tied the game in the fourth quarter.
Overall, not much of a pass rush for the Chiefs, who didn’t record a sack until Truman Jones and Neil Farrell dropped Hooker in the fourth quarter. Felix Anudike-Uzomah got one of the four pass deflections.
Rushing defense: C
The Chiefs looked to be in good shape when linebacker Truman Jones recovered a Lions fumble in the shadow of the Chiefs’ end zone with 2:30 remaining. But the Chiefs couldn’t move and punted back to the Lions, who drove for the winning score.
No Chris Jones or Derrick Nnadi, so down-the-depth-chart players like Farrell and Matt Dickerson saw plenty of action. The Lions finished with a 3.8 rushing average and David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs didn’t play.
Special teams: A
A shoulder injury to long snapper James Winchester forced the Chiefs to use tight end Noah Gray on a couple of snaps. Gray snapped for Harrison Butker’s 56-yard field goal and on a Matt Araiza punt. Winchester returned in the second half.
Araiza boomed his punts, averaging 48.2. yards on five kicks, with a pair that soared 61 yards.
The Chiefs gave away points on a kickoff return last week in Jacksonville. This time, they scored a touchdown after Cam Jones forced a fumble on a kickoff that was recovered by Steele. Kelvin Joseph forced a fumble on a punt return but the Lions recovered.
Nikko Remigio had his best moment of the preseason with a 42-yard punt return. Same for Skyy Moore, who returned a kickoff 42 yards.
This story was originally published August 17, 2024 at 6:28 PM.