Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is known for his love of taking chances and his latest gamble paid off in a big way. The biggest question entering Saturday’s game was whether or not the Lions starters would take the field against the Kansas City Chiefs. But the Lions bench proved they could fend off the world-class Chiefs, emerging with the victory.
Lions Bench Shines in 24-23 Victory Over The Chiefs
Coach Andy Reid already stated his intention to play his starters. The Lions knew they would be facing off against the combined talents of two-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, running back Isiah Pacheco, and tight end Travis Kelce. The stakes were even higher because the Chiefs were seeking retribution for last year’s season opener when the Lions stunned the defending world champs by a score of 21-20. Saturday’s rematch would be the Chief’s opportunity to flex their muscles and prove their superiority.
The Gamble
For the Lions, the 2023 victory over the Chiefs set the tone for the rest of their winning season. If they hoped to leverage last year’s momentum, the smart move would be to put the first team on the field. Playing inexperienced second or third-string players might lead to an embarrassing afternoon for the Lions if the team couldn’t hold up against the world-class Chiefs.
But Coach Campbell refused to take the bait. Instead, he stuck with the plan of resting his starters while continuing to evaluate his less experienced players and determine who would make the roster. While Campbell may have gambled putting inexperienced players on the field against the defending world champs, he also instilled in them his confidence and belief that they were up to the challenge.
A Rough Start
Admittedly, the first quarter was rough. The Chiefs scored in each of their first three series and the score at halftime was 16-3. Mahomes, one of the most outstanding athletes in the NFL, threw an eye-popping behind-the-back pass to Kelce that’s certain to make all the highlight reels. The Chiefs’ first-round draft pick wide receiver Xavier Worthy continued his show-stopping ways with a couple of amazing catches from Mahomes that served to underscore the speed and power of this dynamic duo.
But as we learned last year from these Detroit Lions, they don’t quit. They find a way to dig deep and eventually emerge victorious. Taking over from starter Nate Sudfeld (14/27 for 196 yards with one touchdown and an interception plus a 10-yard rush) in the second half, quarterback Hendon Hooker made his second NFL appearance.
Lions Offense Finds Their Rhythm
Picking up where he left off when he led the University of Tennessee as a star quarterback, Hooker displayed the confidence and skillful playmaking ability the coaches were looking to see from him. He finished the game completing 12 /15 for 150 yards with a rushing touchdown. Once Hooker found his rhythm, he hit wide receiver Kaden Davis with a 61-yard touchdown and scrambled seven yards into the end zone for another. Hooker played smart, avoiding punishing tackles, and chose to slide to safety when he needed to make a play. Undrafted free agent wide receiver Isaiah Williams made another case for why he should be on the roster. Williams had six catches for 71 yards and proved his effectiveness as a punt returner, setting up the Lions’ final drive with a clutch 20-yard return.
Rookie running back Sione Vaki continues to shine for the Lions. Vaki was a playmaker on Saturday with six rushes and four receptions in the first half for a total of 82 yards. As predicted, he is proving to be a Swiss army knife asset in Ben Johnson’s offensive scheme.
After some early struggles in training camp, kicker Jake Bates proved he could duplicate his UFL success in the NFL, hitting all four field goals including a 55-yarder. That kick could easily have gone further and provided a glimpse of his superior leg strength. Bates also demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure by nailing the game-winning 43-yard kick with two seconds remaining on the clock.
It is still the pre-season and there are some areas needing improvement, particularly ball control and reducing the number of turnovers. Hooker bobbled a costly handoff to running back Zonovan Knight and the Lions committed a total of three turnovers. But if Saturday’s victory over the Chiefs was any indication, the 2024 Detroit Lions are more than capable of proving themselves against the world champs.
Main Photo Credit: Syndication: Detroit Free Press
