Despite the 30-17 loss, there were several bright spots in the Detroit Lions’ primetime matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs that deserve recognition.
While the scoreboard wasn’t in their favor, Detroit’s offense showed encouraging signs of life, finishing with over 300 total yards. One of the team’s biggest standouts was a player who had been relatively quiet through the early part of the season.
Game ball: Jameson Williams
Entering the game, Williams had struggled to make a consistent impact. Through the first five weeks, the former first-round pick totaled just 11 receptions for 223 yards and a touchdown. Against Kansas City, however, the fourth-year receiver delivered a much-needed breakout performance.
Many fans expressed concerns following his lack of usage in the offense after his massive three-year, $83 million extension. Williams shifted away from his usual role as a pure deep threat and instead thrived on shorter routes to accumulate 66 yards on six catches and a touchdown.
Kansas City’s defensive backs struggled to contain him on quick-breaking routes, allowing Williams to create separation early and turn several short passes into productive gains. Four of his six catches moved the chains, while another went for his lone score of the night.
His touchdown was the first one scored for Detroit. In the second quarter on a third-and-3, Goff hit Williams on a dig route. After the catch, Williams missed one tackle and dragged another defender with him into the endzone. On a day where the offense sputtered at times, Williams made some big plays for Detroit.
Honorable mention: Alex Anzalone
Detroit’s linebacker corps didn’t play up to par with their performances over the past few weeks, but defensive captain Alex Anzalone quietly was able to still put up big numbers for the defense.
As an outside linebacker, his primary job was to contain Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ stable of talented running backs, as well as cover the flats and watch for short passing concepts.
Kansas City’s offense picked Detroit apart in those areas unfortunately, but Anzalone made up for it by being Detroit’s lead tackler in this game and putting together an impressive box score. The defensive captain finished the night with 12 total tackles and a QB hit on Mahomes. Though he wasn’t as strong as he should be in coverage, he still found himself near the receiver when the catch was made and often was the one making the tackle on those plays.
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