Kansas City Chiefs vs. Detroit Lions: Live updates & commentary from ‘SNF’
One of the best prime-time games in NFL history came when Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff, albeit playing for a different team, faced off in 2018.
The last meeting between Mahomes and Goff? That came down to the end, too. That was the 2023 season opener, which the Lions won by a point.
So if nothing else, history tells us to expect a good game between quite possibly the best the NFC has to offer against a team coming off five Super Bowl appearances in six years.
It’s Chiefs vs. Lions on “Sunday Night Football,” and there’s plenty to look forward to in this matchup.
The Lions (4-1) will hope to maintain their NFC-best record. The Chiefs (2-3) will aim to climb back to .500 after a frustrating performance last Monday.
Tonight’s 7:20 p.m. Central kickoff awaits — here’s how to watch and listen.
KC Chiefs vs. Lions: Stats, score updates and commentary
Follow updates and commentary from our KC Star team, including Chiefs beat reporters Pete Sweeney and Blair Kerkhoff and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
You can also find stats, scores and play-by-play below:
Three storylines for Chiefs-Lions
1. Bouncing back from “Monday Night Football”
The Chiefs gave one away Monday night. They committed 13 penalties. Chris Jones’ effort — or lack thereof — on a pivotal late play became a national talking point. Patrick Mahomes threw a pick-six in a goal-to-go situation.
So how will they respond?
The Chiefs showed some life after starting the year 0-2. They won two straight, including a blowout over the Ravens. The Lions may be the best team they’ve faced all year, and they’ll need a similar effort to pull off a statement win.
2. The last game without Rashee Rice
There have been questions about the receivers all season. And that will continue into “Sunday Night Football.”
Tyquan Thornton has given the Chiefs a lift as a deep threat. And Travis Kelce, who is surely having an interesting week, was productive on Monday.
But as has been the case over and over this year, the offense could certainly benefit from Xavier Worthy (shoulder/ankle) being fully available, especially while Rashee Rice serves the final week of his six-game suspension. The latest update, in Worthy’s regard, was promising.
3. Let’s talk about Harrison Butker
There’s an argument to be made that, considering his clutch playoff kicking, Harrison Butker has been among the top two or three kickers on this side of Adam Vinatieri. Certainly as good as anyone not named Justin Tucker in that span.
But the Chiefs’ kicker has not looked the same this season. He’s missed three field goals in five games. He’s missed two extra points (albeit one that was 15 yards longer). And his kickoff out of bounds Monday put the Chiefs in a bad spot on their final defensive drive, which turned into Jacksonville’s winning touchdown.
The NFL’s top-paid kicker has been a real issue for Kansas City this year. He’s hurt them in wins. And he’s hurt them in losses. The track record would suggest Butker will get things figured out — and Andy Reid says he’s not concerned — but the first five weeks have sparked concerns from the fan base.
This story was originally published October 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM.
