Chiefs earn resounding win over Lions on Sunday night

The Kansas City Chiefs were desperate for a win entering their Week 6 ‘Sunday Night Football’ matchup with the Detroit Lions. They were able to earn one thanks to a sparkling effort from Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes guided the Chiefs to a 30-17 victory in a game where he once again served as a catalyst for Kansas City’s offense. The 30-year-old signal-caller was accurate throughout the evening while picking on a Lions defense that was missing five of the top six cornerbacks from its season-opening roster.

Overall, Mahomes completed 22 of 30 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns while adding 34 yards and a score on the ground. The numbers were every bit as good as they looked, as the veteran quarterback threw in rhythm and read the field well during the contest.

Most encouragingly, Mahomes looked comfortable distributing the ball to his top receiving weapons. Travis Kelce (six catches, 78 yards) had one of his most productive games of the season while Hollywood Brown also had a nice outing with four catches, 45 yards and two touchdowns.

The Chiefs are now 3-3 after their victory over the Lions and are set to get Rashee Rice back from suspension in Week 7. That should position Kansas City’s offense to continue its ascent as it looks to claw its way back to the top of the AFC West.

Meanwhile, the Lions will look to bounce back in an anticipated Week 7 clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Detroit may once again have a thin secondary, especially if safety Brian Branch receives any sort of punishment for his role in the brawl that occurred at the end of the Lions’ loss to the Chiefs. 

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the Week 6 matchup between the Chiefs and Lions on Sunday night below.

Chiefs vs. Lions instant takeaways

• Kansas City is heating up: The Chiefs’ offense is starting to find a rhythm. Kansas City’s offense is still a bit too dependent on Patrick Mahomes, but his receiving weapons are starting to step up. Travis Kelce and Hollywood Brown both had strong showing,s while Xavier Worthy caught a touchdown early in the game. Adding Rashee Rice to that unit should only improve it and make Kansas City even more dangerous.
• Detroit’s defensive struggles: The Lions need their secondary to get healthy. Detroit put up a valiant effort considering it was without five of its top six cornerbacks for Sunday’s game while safety Kerby Joseph also got banged up during. But until they can get some of those players back, it will be difficult for Detroit to contain a top-tier passing offense. That could spell trouble for the team as they prepare for a date with Tampa Bay.
• Postgame fight will have significant fallout: Brian Branch and JuJu Smith-Schuster are likely to face punishment. Look, the NFL isn’t going to take kindly to ‘Sunday Night Football’ being marred by an end-of-game brawl. Branch figures to be punished after starting it, while Smith-Schuster may end up being fined for responding to the safety’s punch. The biggest question is whether Branch will be suspended for his role in it.

Patrick Mahomes stats vs. Lions

• 22-of-30 (73.3% completion rate)
• 257 passing yards
• 3 passing touchdowns
• 0 interceptions
• 132.2 passer rating
• 10 rush attempts for 32 yards, 1 rushing touchdown

Travis Kelce stats vs. Lions

• 6 receptions
• 7 targets
• 78 receiving yards
• 0 touchdowns

Xavier Worthy stats vs. Lions

• 2 receptions
• 4 targets
• 20 receiving yards
• 1 receiving touchdown
• 1 rushing attempt, 6 rushing yards

Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown stats vs. Lions

• 4 receptions
• 4 targets
• 45 receiving yards
• 2 receiving touchdowns

Jared Goff stats vs. Chiefs

• 23-of-29 (79.3% completion rate)
• 203 passing yards
• 2 passing touchdowns
• 0 interceptions
• 118.8 passer rating
• 1 rush attempts for 7 yards

Jameson Williams stats vs. Chiefs

• 6 receptions
• 7 targets
• 66 receiving yards
• 1 receiving touchdown

Jahmyr Gibbs stats vs. Chiefs

• 17 rushing attempts
• 65 rushing yards
• 0 rushing touchdowns
• 1 reception
• 1 target
• 0 receiving yards
• 0 receiving touchdowns

Amon-Ra St. Brown stats vs. Chiefs

• 9 receptions
• 10 targets
• 45 receiving yards
• 0 receiving touchdowns
• 1 rushing attempt, 2 rushing yards

Chiefs-Lions fight postgame

The fight started after Lions safety Brian Branch threw an open-handed punch at the face of Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster after the Chiefs took a knee to seal a 30-17 victory.

It wasn’t clear what precipitated the punch. Branch walked straight up to Smith-Schuster following Patrick Mahomes’ final kneel-down, ignoring an offered handshake from the quarterback to go up to the veteran receiver.

Chiefs vs. Lions highlights

Chiefs vs Lions final score: Chiefs 30, Lions 17

Jared Goff can’t complete fourth-and-1 pass to Jameson Williams, sealing Chiefs win

Goff and the Lions weren’t able to do much following the Chiefs’ field goal drive. They gained nine yards on three plays before being forced to go for it on fourth-and-1.

Goff threw a low, downfield pass to Williams, but the speedster couldn’t haul it in. The Chiefs will take over after the turnover on downs and will just need to take a few knees to run out the clock.

Chiefs vs Lions score: Harrison Butker makes 33-yard field goal to give Chiefs 13-point lead

The Chiefs bled the clock down to 2:26 remaining before Butker knocked in a 33-yard field goal. The Lions have used all their timeouts, so they will likely need to score a touchdown and recover an onside kick to have a chance to get back into the game.

Charles Omenihu sack forces Lions into three-and-out

The Lions were unable to answer the Chiefs’ most recent score. Detroit got into a third-and-medium situation, and Kansas City got instant pressure on Jared Goff, who was sacked by Omenihu.

Jack Fox came on to punt, and Nikko Remigio had a nice return. Fox actually had to make the tackle beyond midfield, though he nearly forced Remigio into a costly fumble.

But the Chiefs now have the ball across midfield with 7:12 left in regulation.

Chiefs vs. Lions score: Chiefs answer back as Patrick Mahomes hits Hollywood Brown for 3-yard TD

The Chiefs didn’t waste much time answering LaPorta’s TD. Mahomes helped the Chiefs march down the field on a nine-play, 69-yard drive before Brown caught his second touchdown of the game after breaking open coming across the middle of the field and to the right side of the end zone.

Harrison Butker made his extra point, and the Chiefs are now leading 27-17 with 9:30 left in regulation.

Chiefs 27, Lions 17

Chiefs vs. Lions score: Sam LaPorta makes brilliant, toe-tap TD in traffic to cut Kansas City’s lead to 3

The Lions have cut the Chiefs’ lead to just one possession thanks to a great catch by LaPorta on the back line of the end zone. Chamarri Conner was in tight coverage against the tight end, but he managed to grab the ball one-handed before securing it and getting both his feet down in bounds.

Jake Bates made the extra point to cut Kansas City’s lead to 20-17 with 14:14 left in the fourth quarter.

Chiefs 20, Lions 17

Chiefs leading Lions 20-10 entering fourth quarter, but Detroit is driving

The Chiefs managed to double up on touchdowns before and after halftime to give themselves a 20-10 lead over the Lions. However, Detroit will open the fourth quarter with a first-and-goal after moving the ball 72 yards on six plays over the final 3:34 of the third quarter.

Patrick Mahomes has, per usual, been the catalyst for Kansas City’s offense. He is once again leading the team in rushing yards (34) and has three total touchdowns and 210 passing yards through three quarters.

Meanwhile, Jared Goff has spread the ball around en route to a 116.3 passer rating through three quarters. Jameson Williams is leading the team with 66 receiving yards, but Amon-Ra St. Brown, after being slowed down in the early stages of the game, is up to eight catches for 42 yards.

Lions force the first Chiefs punt of the night

Like Detroit, Kansas City was able to pick up one first down but couldn’t mount a scoring drive. The Lions stopped Patrick Mahomes just shy of the line to gain on a third-and-8 scramble, so Matt Araiza was called upon to punt for the first time of the evening.

Araiza’s kick was fair caught at Detroit’s 18-yard line. The Lions will look to cut into the Chiefs’ 20-10 lead with 3:34 remaining in the third quarter.

Lions punt after 7-play drive, pin Chiefs inside own 10-yard line

Detroit wasn’t able to answer Kansas City’s drive-opening touchdown, stalling out after gaining 26 yards across seven plays. Jack Fox came on to punt and delivered a nice one that Chiefs returner Nikko Remigio nearly had trouble fielding.

Remigio managed to corral the ball, but Kansas City is backed up and will start its next drive from the 7-yard line.

Should Travis Kelce’s catch have counted?

Kelce had a 13-yard catch on the Chiefs’ touchdown drive. Should it have counted? It appeared the ball may have hit the ground as the veteran tight end went to the ground.

Ultimately, the play wasn’t reviewed. The Chiefs rushed to the line to get a play off, and Patrick Mahomes scrambled for an 11-yard gain.

NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay opined the play would have stood, as he believed Kelce had control. Still, the ball hit the ground in some fashion and likely should have been reviewed.

Chiefs vs Lions score: Hollywood Brown scores on 9-yard pop pass from Patrick Mahomes

The Chiefs marched down the field to open the second half. They capped it off with a quick pop pass to Brown, which the speedster brought around the left side of the line and into the end zone for a score.

Harrison Butker made the extra point and the Chiefs have extended their lead to 20-10.

Chiefs 20, Lions 10

Travis Kelce briefly exits after being rolled up on, returns

The Chiefs’ first offensive play of the second half was a screen pass to Brashard Smith. The play went for 9 yards, but at the end of it, Kelce had his legs rolled on from behind. 

Kelce briefly exited the game and was seen speaking to athletic trainers on the Chiefs’ sideline. He managed to return just a few plays after exiting the game.

Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff have identical passer ratings at halftime

How good have Mahomes and Goff been in the first half? Both quarterbacks posted identical 124.7 passer ratings across the first 30 minutes.

Patrick Mahomes stats at halftime

• 10 of 14 passing (71.4%)
• 132 passing yards
• 1 passing TD
• 4 carries
• 15 rushing yards
• 1 rushing TD
• 124.7 passer rating

Jared Goff stats at halftime

• 9 of 12 passing (75%)
• 93 passing yards
• 1 passing TD
• 1 carry
• 7 rushing yards
• 124.7 passer rating

Travis Kelce stats at halftime

Kelce enjoyed a strong first half, with his fiancée, Taylor Swift, confirmed to be in attendance. He recorded three catches for 40 yards in the first half and was tackled on the 1-yard line after a 17-yard catch near the end of the half.

Chiefs lead Lions 13-10 after fast-moving first half

The Lions went three-and-out on their final possession of the first half and punted for the first time. The Chiefs decided to take a knee with just 10 seconds remaining as they are set to start the second half with the ball.

Thus far, the Kansas City vs. Detroit game has lived up to the hype. Both Andy Reid and Dan Campbell have coached aggressively, going for it on multiple fourth downs and trusting their quarterbacks to make big plays.

Patrick Mahomes has had a strong showing thus far, completing 10 of 14 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown while adding 15 yards and a score on the ground. He figures to continue attacking a Detroit secondary that is down multiple starting cornerbacks and is dealing with an in-game injury to Kerby Joseph.

Jared Goff has also performed respectably, completing 9 of 12 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. But Detroit’s best drives have come when it has leaned on Jahmyr Gibbs (13 carries, 59 yards) and its running game to control the clock.

Chiefs vs Lions score: Patrick Mahomes punches in 1-yard TD with 37 seconds left before halftime

The Chiefs managed to get into the end zone again after operating an effective two-minute drill. After Travis Kelce caught a 17-yard pass to get the Chiefs to the 1-yard line, the Chiefs ran an option play on first-and-goal. The Lions jumped offside, but Mahomes was able to scramble into the end zone untouched regardless.

Harrison Butker made the extra point to put the Chiefs up 13-10 with 37 seconds left until halftime. The Lions have one timeout remaining.

Chiefs 13, Lions 10

Amon-Ra St. Brown drops fourth-down wobbler from Jared Goff

Dan Campbell stayed true to his roots, allowing his team to go for it on fourth-and-2 from the Kansas City 44-yard line. Goff delivered a wobbly pass in St. Brown’s direction, but the receiver could not bring it in.

The Chiefs will have a chance to mount a scoring drive with 2:42 left in the first half.

Kerby Joseph injury update

Joseph, a starting safety for the Lions, limped off the field because of a knee injury in the second quarter. Detroit’s medical staff was checking the stability of his knee, per the NBC broadcast, and the team deemed him ‘questionable’ to return to the game.

Lions come up with fourth-and-1 stop thanks to Thomas Harper pass breakup

Patrick Mahomes rolled out to the right to pass on a fourth-and-1 from Detroit’s 20-yard line. The 30-year-old quarterback couldn’t find anyone open and didn’t have a running lane with linebacker Alex Anzalone bearing down on him.

Mahomes eventually tried to fit in a pass to Xavier Worthy, but Harper, a backup safety playing in place of the injured Kerby Joseph, managed to get a hand on the ball. It fell harmlessly to the ground and created a turnover on downs.

Kareem Hunt converts fourth-and-1 on short carry

The Chiefs had a fourth-and-1 on Detroit’s 41-yard line and decided to go for it. Patrick Mahomes handed it to Hunt, who was lined up as a fullback, and the veteran bulldozed ahead for a couple of yards to keep the drive going.

Chiefs vs Lions score: Lions get first TD courtesy of Jameson Williams

After Jared Goff’s TD reception was wiped out because of a penalty, Williams caught the Lions’ first score on Sunday night. Goff found him over the middle of the field, and the speedster managed to find a way through Kansas City’s defense for the score.

Jake Bates made the extra point to put Detroit ahead 10-6 early in the second quarter.

Lions 10, Chiefs 6

End of first quarter: Chiefs lead by three

The first quarter was dominated by a long, methodical 15-play drive by Detroit, which took over nine minutes off the clock. The Chiefs responded with a touchdown and lead Detroit 6-3 entering the second quarter. The Lions have the ball and are driving into Chiefs territory after a 26-yard reception by tight end Sam LaPorta.

Chiefs vs Lions score: Xavier Worthy TD on Chiefs opening drive

Like the Lions, the Chiefs drive down the field on their opening possession and put points on the board. Except Kansas City finds the endzone and did so in just over four minutes. The second-year speedster, Xavier Worthy ran into the flat and sprinted into the end zone to score the Chiefs’ first touchdown of the game. Harrison Butker missed the extra point, so the Lions get the ball trailing by three points.

Chiefs 6, Lions 3

Chiefs vs Lions score: Jake Bates puts Lions on the board first

The Lions opening drive went 61 yards on 15 plays while taking over nine minutes off the clock. Dan Campbell opted for a field goal after the touchdown was overturned and Jake Bates kicked through a 28-yard kick to put the Lions ahead.

Lions 3, Chiefs 0

Jared Goff 1-yard TD catch wiped out by illegal formation call

The Lions get on the board first with a gutsy call from Dan Campbell. Detroit motioned Goff out of the backfield on fourth-and-goal from inside the 1-yard line. David Montgomery threw the ball to Goff, who bobbled it briefly but reeled it in for what looked like a touchdown.

However, Goff never paused as he went into motion, which resulted in an illegal motion penalty. That wiped out the score and made it fourth-and-goal from the 6-yard line.

Lions run hook-and-ladder play on opening drive vs. Chiefs

Dan Campbell appears ready to empty his bag Sunday night. The Lions broke out a trick play on the first drive, a short throw to Amon-Ra St. Brown who tossed it back to Jahmyr Gibbs.

The Chiefs were able to sniff it out and stop Gibbs for a gain of just 4 yards.

What time does Chiefs-Lions NFL game start?

The Chiefs and Lions game will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 12.

What channel is Kansas City Chiefs vs. Detroit Lions on tonight?

The Kansas City Chiefs vs. Detroit Lions game will be broadcast on NBC on Sunday night.

Cord-cutters can also stream the game on Peacock or with Fubo, which comes with a free trial.

Watch NFL games live with Fubo (free trial)

Chiefs vs. Lions prediction

Despite the slow start for Kansas City, this matchup could still be a Super Bowl preview. The AFC appears to be wide open a third of the way into the season and Detroit’s dominance in the NFC doesn’t appear to be slowing. There’s some chatter about the walls crumbling around the dynastic Chiefs but they can put that noise to bed with a win tonight. Detroit’s defense is littered with injuries, and Mahomes is playing at an MVP-level despite being without his top receiver, Rashee Rice. As long as the Chiefs don’t beat themselves with penalties, they will get back in the win column in a classic shootout.

Prediction: Chiefs 33, Lions 28

Chiefs inactives vs. Lions

Lions inactives vs. Chiefs

Chiefs vs. Lions live stream

• Live stream: Fubo | Peacock

Peacock, NBC’s proprietary streaming service, will carry the ‘SNF’ game.

Fubo will also carry the Chiefs vs. Lions game. Fubo has NBC, as well as CBS, Fox, ABC, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you can catch NFL action all season long with the streaming service. Fubo also offers a free trial.

Chiefs vs. Lions injury report

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AFC West standings

The Chiefs enter ‘Sunday Night Football’ in third place in the AFC West. Here’s how the division stacks up:

1. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)
2. Denver Broncos (4-2)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)
4. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4)

NFC North standings

The Lions enter ‘Sunday Night Football’ in first place in the NFC North. Here’s how the division stacks up:

1. Detroit Lions (4-1)
2. Green Bay Packers (3-1-1)
3. Minnesota Vikings (3-2)
4. Chicago Bears (2-2)

Chiefs 2025 schedule

Lions 2025 schedule

Who are the announcers for Chiefs vs Lions on NBC? 

Mike Tirico will handle play-by-play duties during the game, with Cris Collinsworth providing color commentary and Melissa Stark reporting from the sidelines.

NBC’s weekly ‘Football Night in America’ pregame show will begin at 7 p.m. ET and feature insight from a panel of analysts, including Maria Taylor, Jason Garrett, Chris Simms, Mike Florio, Devin McCourty, Tony Dungy, and more. 

When will Rashee Rice return?

The Chiefs wide receiver is eligible to return from his suspension in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

What is the Kansas City Chiefs’ record?

The Chiefs enter their matchup with the Lions at 2-3. They opened the season with back-to-back losses to the Chargers and Eagles but bounced back with two consecutive wins over the Giants and Ravens before losing to the Jaguars in Week 5.

Is Xavier Worthy playing tonight vs. Lions?

Worthy is set to suit up for the Chiefs on ‘Sunday Night Football.’ While he was a mid-week addition to the team’s injury report, he was not listed with an injury designation heading into tonight’s matchup after logging a full practice on Friday.

Is Taylor Swift at the Chiefs game tonight?

Swift’s attendance for the Chiefs’ Sunday night Week 6 game against the Lions has not been confirmed.

There has not been a confirmed Swift sighting at a Chiefs game thus far this season. However, Travis Kelce typically performs better when his fiancée is confirmed to be watching him play in person.

Who is the Chiefs left tackle?

Jaylon Moore is set to start at left tackle for the Chiefs tonight. He will replace first-round rookie Josh Simmons, who started Kansas City’s first five games before being a late scratch in Week 6 for personal reasons.

Moore, 27, is in his first year with the Chiefs after spending the first four seasons of his career with the 49ers. He appeared in 60 games with 12 starts for San Francisco and inked a two-year, $30 million deal to come to Kansas City in free agency.