Lions vs Chiefs Week 1 2023: Final Score 21

Final2023 Week 1

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MOThu, Sep 7, 2023, 8:20 PM ET

Detroit Lions vs Kansas City Chiefs, Week 1 2023

Detroit Lions

AwayWon

Kansas City Chiefs

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Scoring by quarter
Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Lions	7	0	7	7	21
Chiefs	0	14	3	3	20

DET 21KC 20 Final

Passing leader
Jared Goff
DET · QB
14.0PPR pts
22/35, 253 YDS, 1 TD
Top fantasy scorer
Amon-Ra St. Brown
DET · WR
19.1PPR pts
6 REC, 71 YDS, 1 TD
Chiefs leader
Patrick Mahomes
KC · QB
20.5PPR pts
21/39, 226 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT
Defensive playmaker
Brian Branch
DET
1 INT, 1 TD, 3 TKL

Lions 21, Chiefs 20: Detroit rallies from 7 down at halftime

Detroit erased a 14–7 halftime deficit, outscoring Kansas City 14–6 after the break to win 21–20. The Lions finished with a 368–316 edge in total offense and averaged 5.3 yards per play.

The Chiefs went 5-for-14 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Lions kept the ball for 32:38.

Key advantages

+0.2 yards/play DET 5.3 · KC 5.1
+52 total yards DET 368 · KC 316
+5:16 time of possession DET 32:38 · KC 27:22

Game Highlights

Watch on YouTube: Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs Game Highlights | NFL 2023 Week 1

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Lions Won

Detroit won the efficiency and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Lions vs Chiefs
Lions	Stat	Chiefs
5.3	Yards per play	5.1

368	Total yards	316

32:38	Time of possession	27:22

Other team stats
70	Plays	62

1	Turnovers	1

33%	Third-down conversion	36%

Scoring Summary

The Lions scored three touchdowns; the Chiefs scored two touchdowns and two field goals.

Scoring plays, Lions vs Chiefs
Time	Team	Play	DET	KC
1st quarter
2:46	DET	Jared Goff → Amon-Ra St. Brown, 9-yard TD Takes leadRiley Patterson XP	7	0
2nd quarter
11:50	KC	Patrick Mahomes → Rashee Rice, 1-yard TD Ties gameHarrison Butker XP	7	7
0:34	KC	Patrick Mahomes → Blake Bell, 4-yard TD Takes leadHarrison Butker XP	7	14
3rd quarter
10:54	DET	Brian Branch 50-yard interception return TD Ties gameRiley Patterson XP	14	14
2:10	KC	Harrison Butker 35-yard FG Takes lead	14	17
4th quarter
12:11	KC	Harrison Butker 39-yard FG Extends lead	14	20
7:06	DET	David Montgomery 8-yard TD run Game winnerRiley Patterson XP	21	20

Fantasy Points: Lions vs Chiefs, Week 1 2023

Fantasy leaders

Patrick MahomesKCQB20.5 PTSQB7
Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR19.1 PTSWR11
Jared GoffDETQB14.0 PTSQB18
David MontgomeryDETRB13.4 PTSRB16

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	CMP/ATT	Pass YDS	TD	INT	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	Rate	Start/Sit
Jared GoffDETQB	14.0	QB18	22/35	253	1	0	5	-1	0	94.1	Start/Sit →
Patrick MahomesKCQB	20.5	QB7	21/39	226	2	1	6	45	0	77.5	Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	POS	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	TGT	REC	Rec YDS	Rec TD	Start/Sit
Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR	19.1	WR11	WR	—	—	—	9	6	71	1	Start/Sit →
David MontgomeryDETRB	13.4	RB16	RB	21	74	1	—	—	—	—	Start/Sit →
Josh ReynoldsDETWR	12.0	WR30	WR	—	—	—	7	4	80	0
Rashee RiceKCWR	11.6	WR34	WR	1	-3	0	5	3	29	1	Start/Sit →
Isiah PachecoKCRB	9.4	RB30	RB	8	23	0	4	4	31	0
Blake BellKCTE	9.2	TE7	TE	—	—	—	3	2	12	1
Sam LaPortaDETTE	8.9	TE8	TE	—	—	—	5	5	39	0	Start/Sit →
Jahmyr GibbsDETRB	8.0	RB36	RB	7	42	0	2	2	18	0	Start/Sit →
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingKCWR	6.8	WR56	WR	—	—	—	2	2	48	0	Start/Sit →
Justin WatsonKCWR	6.5	WR60	WR	—	—	—	4	2	45	0
Noah GrayKCTE	6.1	TE24	TE	—	—	—	5	3	31	0	Start/Sit →
Clyde Edwards-HelaireKCRB	3.9	RB50	RB	6	22	0	1	1	7	0
Brock WrightDETTE	3.7	TE35	TE	—	—	—	2	2	17	0	Start/Sit →
Kalif RaymondDETWR	3.0	WR89	WR	—	—	—	1	1	20	0	Start/Sit →
Jerick McKinnonKCRB	2.0	RB65	RB	—	—	—	2	1	10	0
Richie JamesKCWR	1.6	WR98	WR	—	—	—	2	1	6	0
Justyn RossKCWR	1.6	WR99	WR	—	—	—	1	1	6	0
Kadarius ToneyKCWR	1.0	WR106	WR	1	-1	0	5	1	1	0
Marvin JonesDETWR	0.8	WR107	WR	—	—	—	6	2	8	0
Skyy MooreKCWR	0.4	WR108	WR	1	4	0	3	0	0	0	Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Detroit Lions

Snap Share

Amon-Ra St. BrownWR66 snaps94%
Sam LaPortaTE58 snaps83%
David MontgomeryRB55 snaps79%
Josh ReynoldsWR49 snaps70%
Marvin JonesWR39 snaps56%

Target Share32 targets

Amon-Ra St. Brown28%, 9 targets
Josh Reynolds22%, 7 targets
Marvin Jones19%, 6 targets
Sam LaPorta16%, 5 targets
Brock Wright6%, 2 targets
Other9%, 3 targets

Carry Share33 carries

David Montgomery64%, 21 carries
Jahmyr Gibbs21%, 7 carries
Jared Goff15%, 5 carries

Kansas City Chiefs

Snap Share

Noah GrayTE57 snaps88%
Skyy MooreWR45 snaps69%
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingWR41 snaps63%
Isiah PachecoRB31 snaps48%
Blake BellTE26 snaps40%

Target Share37 targets

Kadarius Toney14%, 5 targets
Noah Gray14%, 5 targets
Rashee Rice14%, 5 targets
Justin Watson11%, 4 targets
Isiah Pacheco11%, 4 targets
Other38%, 14 targets

Carry Share23 carries

Isiah Pacheco35%, 8 carries
Patrick Mahomes26%, 6 carries
Clyde Edwards-Helaire26%, 6 carries
Kadarius Toney4%, 1 carries
Skyy Moore4%, 1 carries
Other4%, 1 carries

View full usage tableHide full usage table

Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
Player	SNAPS	SNAP %	TGT	TGT %	CAR
Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR	66	94%	9	28%	0
Noah GrayKCTE	57	88%	5	14%	0
Sam LaPortaDETTE	58	83%	5	16%	0
David MontgomeryDETRB	55	79%	0	0%	21
Josh ReynoldsDETWR	49	70%	7	22%	0
Skyy MooreKCWR	45	69%	3	8%	1
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingKCWR	41	63%	2	5%	0
Marvin JonesDETWR	39	56%	6	19%	0
Isiah PachecoKCRB	31	48%	4	11%	8
Blake BellKCTE	26	40%	3	8%	0
Brock WrightDETTE	27	39%	2	6%	0
Richie JamesKCWR	23	35%	2	5%	0
Jerick McKinnonKCRB	20	31%	2	5%	0
Rashee RiceKCWR	20	31%	5	14%	1
Justin WatsonKCWR	19	29%	4	11%	0
Kalif RaymondDETWR	19	27%	1	3%	0
Jahmyr GibbsDETRB	19	27%	2	6%	7
Kadarius ToneyKCWR	16	25%	5	14%	1
Clyde Edwards-HelaireKCRB	14	22%	1	3%	6
Matt BushmanKCTE	7	11%	0	0%	0
Justyn RossKCWR	6	9%	1	3%	0
James MitchellDETTE	6	9%	0	0%	0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

PPRHalf PPRStandard

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Biggest overperformer+4.2Blake Bell9.2 PTS vs 5.0 xFP
Biggest underperformer−9.2Marvin Jones Jr.0.8 PTS vs 10.0 xFP
Highest expected volume20.1 xFPPatrick Mahomes20.5 PTS scored

Usage and expected fantasy points
Player	PTS	xFP	vs xFP	Snap%	Usage	Rte%	Pass att	Car	Car%	Tgt	Tgt%
Patrick MahomesKC · QB	20.5	20.1	+0.4	100%	39 att	—	39	6	26%	0	0%
Jared GoffDET · QB	14.0	17.8	−3.8	100%	35 att	—	35	5	15%	0	0%
Amon-Ra St. BrownDET · WR	19.1	15.0	+4.1	94%	28% tgt	—	0	0	0%	9	28%
David MontgomeryDET · RB	13.4	12.9	+0.5	79%	62% car	—	0	21	62%	0	0%
Josh ReynoldsDET · WR	12.0	11.7	+0.3	70%	22% tgt	—	0	0	0%	7	22%
Isiah PachecoKC · RB	9.4	11.6	−2.2	48%	35% car	—	0	8	35%	4	11%
Marvin Jones Jr.DET · WR	0.8	10.0	−9.2	56%	19% tgt	—	0	0	0%	6	19%
Kadarius ToneyKC · WR	1.0	9.0	−8.0	25%	14% tgt	—	0	1	4%	5	14%
Rashee RiceKC · WR	11.6	9.0	+2.6	31%	14% tgt	—	0	1	4%	5	14%
Noah GrayKC · TE	6.1	8.3	−2.2	88%	14% tgt	—	0	0	0%	5	14%
Sam LaPortaDET · TE	8.9	8.3	+0.6	83%	16% tgt	—	0	0	0%	5	16%
Jahmyr GibbsDET · RB	8.0	7.6	+0.4	27%	21% car	—	0	7	21%	2	6%
Justin WatsonKC · WR	6.5	6.7	−0.2	29%	11% tgt	—	0	0	0%	4	11%
Skyy MooreKC · WR	0.4	5.6	−5.2	69%	8% tgt	—	0	1	4%	3	8%
Clyde Edwards-HelaireKC · RB	3.9	5.4	−1.5	22%	26% car	—	0	6	26%	1	3%
Blake BellKC · TE	9.2	5.0	+4.2	40%	8% tgt	—	0	0	0%	3	8%
Brock WrightDET · TE	3.7	3.3	+0.4	39%	6% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	6%
Jerick McKinnonKC · RB	2.0	3.3	−1.3	31%	5% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	5%
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingKC · WR	6.8	3.3	+3.5	63%	5% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	5%
Richie JamesKC · WR	1.6	3.3	−1.7	35%	5% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	5%
Justyn RossKC · WR	1.6	1.7	−0.1	9%	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%
Kalif RaymondDET · WR	3.0	1.7	+1.3	27%	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%
Jalen Reeves-MaybinDET · —	0.3	0.6	−0.3	—	3% car	—	0	1	3%	0	0%

Team totals: Lions 32 targets and 34 carries; Chiefs 37 targets and 23 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2023 season: 1.67 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.61 per carry and 0.42 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Jared Goff

DET · QB · 14.0 pts on 17.8 expected

22 of 35 passing for 253 yards, 1 touchdown; 5 carries for -1 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.8 expected.

Start/Sit: Jared Goff →

Patrick Mahomes

KC · QB · 20.5 pts on 20.1 expected

21 of 39 passing for 226 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 6 carries for 45 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 20.1 expected.

Start/Sit: Patrick Mahomes →

Amon-Ra St. Brown

DET · WR · 19.1 pts on 15.0 expected

9 targets (28% of the team's), 6 catches for 71 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.0 expected.

Start/Sit: Amon-Ra St. Brown →

David Montgomery Strong role

DET · RB · 13.4 pts on 12.9 expected

21 carries (62% of the team's) for 74 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 12.9 expected.

Start/Sit: David Montgomery →

Isiah Pacheco

KC · RB · 9.4 pts on 11.6 expected

4 targets (11% of the team's), 4 catches for 31 yards; 8 carries (35% of the team's) for 23 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 11.6 expected.

Kadarius Toney Unlucky

KC · WR · 1.0 pts on 9.0 expected

5 targets (14% of the team's), 1 catch for 1 yard; 1 carry (4% of the team's) for -1 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 9.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Marvin Jones Jr. Unlucky

DET · WR · 0.8 pts on 10.0 expected

6 targets (19% of the team's), 2 catches for 8 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 10.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Skyy Moore Unlucky

KC · WR · 0.4 pts on 5.6 expected

3 targets (8% of the team's), 0 catches for 0 yards; 1 carry (4% of the team's) for 4 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 5.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Skyy Moore →

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2023 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Lions defense and Chiefs defense
Points allowed to	Lions D	Chiefs D
QBs	19.4	14.8
RBs	14.6	19.2
WRs	39.7	27.5
TEs	13.4	10.6

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Kansas City opened at 62% win probability, climbed as high as 92%, then lost.

Chiefs win probability

Key Swings

−23Goff → Brown, 9-yd TD60% → 38%Q1 2:46
+24Mahomes → Rice, 1-yd TD35% → 60%Q2 11:50
+24Mahomes → Bell, 4-yd TD58% → 83%Q2 0:34
−26Branch 50-yd pick-six84% → 58%Q3 10:54
−46Montgomery 8-yd TD run92% → 45%Q4 7:06

Swing in Chiefs win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Lions vs Chiefs
Detroit Lions	Measure	Kansas City Chiefs
70	Plays	62
51%	Pass rate	63%
6.9	Yds / dropback	5.8
3.5	Yds / carry	3.9
5/15	Third downs	5/14

Efficiency edge Detroit ran 8 more plays and gained 1.1 more yards per dropback.

Top targets
DET Brown 28% · Reynolds 22% · Jones 19%
KC Toney 14% · Gray 14% · Rice 14%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Lions vs Chiefs
Result	DET	KC
Touchdowns	2	2
Field goals	0	2
Punts	5	5
Turnovers	1	1
Turnovers on downs	2	1

The Lions opened the scoring on their second possession, a 14-play, 91-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.

All 22 possessions, drive by drive

Drive chart
Team	Start	Plays	Yards	Time	Result
DET	Q1 15:00	3	7	0:51	Punt
KC	Q1 14:09	6	25	3:19	Punt
DET	Q1 10:50	14	91	8:04	Touchdown
KC	Q1 2:46	13	75	5:56	Touchdown
DET	Q2 11:50	11	61	6:36	Fumble
KC	Q2 5:14	3	5	1:27	Punt
DET	Q2 3:47	3	2	1:45	Punt
KC	Q2 2:02	6	82	1:28	Touchdown
DET	Q2 0:34	7	17	0:34	Downs
KC	Q3 15:00	5	14	2:06	Punt
DET	Q3 12:54	3	4	1:10	Punt
KC	Q3 11:44	3	4	0:50	Interception
KC	Q3 10:54	5	16	2:18	Punt
DET	Q3 8:36	6	43	2:52	Punt
KC	Q3 5:44	8	73	3:34	Field goal
DET	Q3 2:10	3	8	1:04	Punt
KC	Q3 1:06	8	47	3:55	Field goal
DET	Q4 12:11	9	75	5:05	Touchdown
KC	Q4 7:06	3	6	1:59	Punt
DET	Q4 5:07	5	21	2:37	Downs
KC	Q4 2:30	4	-15	0:30	Downs
DET	Q4 2:00	6	7	2:00	End of game

About these numbers

The Lions' interception touchdown is counted as a Chiefs interception, not as a Lions possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Lions vs Chiefs Head-to-Head

The Lions and Chiefs first met in 1971 and have played 16 times since.

All-time series: 10–6Chiefs lead, 16 meetings since 1971
Postseason: 0No playoff meetings
Largest Lions win: 48–32011
Largest Chiefs win: 45–102015

Since 2021

1–1 Series tied

2 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. L = Lions win, C = Chiefs win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

2025 Wk 6 Lions at Chiefs, 2025 Wk 6 recap Sun, Oct 12, 2025 KC 30 DET 17 KC W
2023 Wk 1 Lions at Chiefs Thu, Sep 7, 2023 DET 21 KC 20 DET W

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2023 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Lions vs Chiefs
Lions	Stat	Chiefs
12-5	Record	11-6

27.1	Points per game	21.8

394.8	Yards per game	351.3

5.9	Yards per play	5.5

23.2	Points allowed per game	17.3

336.1	Yards allowed per game	289.8

Lions vs Chiefs Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread: KC −4Chiefs failed to cover by 5
Total: 53Under: 41 points scored (by 12)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
Team	Implied	Actual	Difference
Chiefs	28.5	20	−8.5
Lions	24.5	21	−3.5

Both offenses finished under the market's expectation, which matches the low fantasy output in the Fantasy tab.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2023 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Detroit Lions

Against the spread: 1–0
Over/under: 0–1
ATS as underdog: 1–0
ATS on the road: 1–0

Kansas City Chiefs

Against the spread: 0–1
Over/under: 0–1
ATS as favorite: 0–1
ATS at home: 0–1

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Lions and Chiefs in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Lion or a Chief, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2023 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Lions vs Chiefs Game FAQ

Who won the 2023 Lions vs Chiefs Week 1 game?

The Detroit Lions beat the Kansas City Chiefs 21–20 in Week 1 of the 2023 season. The game was played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO, on September 7, 2023. See the Lions' 2023 schedule.

What was the final score of Lions vs Chiefs?

The final score was Lions 21, Chiefs 20. The Chiefs led 14–7 at halftime, and the second half went Lions 14, Chiefs 6.

What happened in the Lions vs Chiefs game?

Detroit erased a 14–7 halftime deficit, outscoring Kansas City 14–6 after the break to win 21–20. The Lions finished with a 368–316 edge in total offense and averaged 5.3 yards per play. Patrick Mahomes led all players with 21 of 39 passing for 226 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 6 carries for 45 rushing yards.

What was the game-winning score in Lions vs Chiefs?

David Montgomery's 8-yard touchdown run with 7:06 left in the fourth quarter gave the Lions a 21–20 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Lions vs Chiefs?

Patrick Mahomes led the game with 20.5 PPR fantasy points, the QB7 of Week 1, on 21 of 39 passing for 226 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 6 carries for 45 rushing yards. Amon-Ra St. Brown was next with 19.1 (WR11). See Patrick Mahomes's 2023 game log.

Who led Lions vs Chiefs in passing, rushing and receiving?

Jared Goff (DET) led all passers with 22 of 35 for 253 yards and a touchdown. David Montgomery (DET) led in rushing with 21 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown. Josh Reynolds (DET) led in receiving with 4 catches for 80 yards.

How many fantasy points did Patrick Mahomes score against the Lions?

Patrick Mahomes scored 20.5 fantasy points against the Lions in Week 1 of the 2023 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 21 of 39 passing for 226 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 6 carries for 45 rushing yards.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Lions vs Chiefs?

Blake Bell outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 9.2 PPR points on 5.0 xFP (+4.2). Marvin Jones Jr. fell furthest short, with 0.8 points on 10.0 xFP (−9.2). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Lions vs Chiefs?

Patrick Mahomes had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 20.1 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 20.5. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Lions come back to beat the Chiefs?

The Lions' chances of winning fell as low as 8% in the fourth quarter. David Montgomery's 8-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. David Montgomery's 8-yard touchdown run then put them ahead for good.

What is the all-time Lions vs Chiefs record?

The Chiefs lead the all-time series 10–6 across 16 meetings since 1971.

When did the Lions and Chiefs last play before this game?

Before Week 1 of 2023, they last met in the 2019 season on September 29, 2019, when the Chiefs beat the Lions 34–30.

What was the closing spread for Lions vs Chiefs?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Chiefs −4, making the Kansas City Chiefs 4-point favorites, with a closing total of 53. That implied about 28.5 points for the Chiefs and 24.5 for the Lions.

Did Lions vs Chiefs go over or under the total?

The game went under. The consensus closing total was 53, and the teams combined for 41 points, 12 under the number.

Who covered the spread in Lions vs Chiefs?

The Lions covered as 4-point underdogs against the closing line of Chiefs −4. The final margin was 1 point.