3 Takeaways from Chiefs vs Lions

The first game of the 2023 NFL season has finished as the Lions defeated the defining Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, 21-20. The outcome of this game surprised many fans. Surprising outcomes like these reveal the strengths and weaknesses of each team. With that in mind, here are three key takeaways from the Chiefs vs Lions.

1. The Chiefs receives need to step up.

Kadarious Toney, Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice, and Jerrick Mckinnon combined for eight dropped passes in this game. Those drops are a huge reason the Chiefs lost this game. Of each of these receivers' drops, Toney probably had the two most costly ones because each one changed the outcome of the game. His first game-changing drop led to a pick 6 by Detroit, which tied the game at 14. That tie carried each team into halftime. Toney's second costly drop came on the Chiefs' final drive of the game when he was wide open on a seam route, and the ball went right through his hands. Catching that ball would have likely given the Chiefs a 23-21 victory. However, that did not happen, thanks to Toney.

Toney's drops may have been the most costly, but any wide receiver dropping passes is not good. So, catching and securing the ball has to be a point of emphasis in practice this week. It will be interesting to see if the receivers make as many drops in week two.

2. Jawan Taylor's bad mechanics

The Chiefs offensive tackle Jawan Taylor had a rough game. Due to how he was lining up behind the center's waist and also moving before the ball was snapped the whole game. Taylor is lucky that only one flag was thrown on him through the course of the game. That was thanks to the referees being lax with penalties. However, Taylor will need to work on fixing these problems because other referring screws will not be as lax, calling those penalties. If Taylor doesn't fix these issues, it may end up costing the Chiefs important games later in the season.

3. Lions defense improved?

After having one of the worst defenses last season, the Lions needed to improve their defense during the offseason. They did that by adding veterans like C.J. Gardner Johnson and Cameron Sutton and drafting rookies like Brian Branch and Jack Campbell. However, no one knew how good the defense would actually look. Well, after holding the Chiefs to 20 points, they sure look much improved.

In the process of holding the Chiefs to 20 points, the Lions only allowed 90 rushing yards. Even though the Chiefs are not known for their rushing attack, holding them to under 100 yards is a win. Since the Lions had trouble holding many teams to 100 rushing yards last season. Additionally, the Lions held Mahomes to a 53.8% completion percentage. While some of that was helped by the drops that were talked about earlier, the Lions also had good coverage. This coverage helped them secure an interception off one of the drops and ultimately secured them the victory. If the Lions' defense can build of this performance, they will have a league-average defense this season.

Featured image Courtesy of Detroitlions.com