Regardless of the 30-17 loss, there have been a number of vivid spots within the Detroit Lions’ primetime matchup in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs that deserve recognition.
Whereas the scoreboard wasn’t of their favor, Detroit’s offense confirmed encouraging indicators of life, ending with over 300 complete yards. One of many crew’s greatest standouts was a participant who had been comparatively quiet by means of the early a part of the season.
Sport ball: Jameson Williams
Getting into the sport, Williams had struggled to make a constant influence. Via the primary 5 weeks, the previous first-round decide totaled simply 11 receptions for 223 yards and a landing. In opposition to Kansas Metropolis, nonetheless, the fourth-year receiver delivered a much-needed breakout efficiency.
Many followers expressed issues following his lack of utilization within the offense after his large three-year, $83 million extension. Williams shifted away from his typical position as a pure deep risk and as an alternative thrived on shorter routes to build up 66 yards on six catches and a landing.
Kansas Metropolis’s defensive backs struggled to comprise him on quick-breaking routes, permitting Williams to create separation early and switch a number of brief passes into productive positive factors. 4 of his six catches moved the chains, whereas one other went for his lone rating of the night time.
His landing was the primary one scored for Detroit. Within the second quarter on a third-and-3, Goff hit Williams on a dig route. After the catch, Williams missed one deal with and dragged one other defender with him into the endzone. On a day the place the offense sputtered at instances, Williams made some massive performs for Detroit.
Honorable point out: Alex Anzalone
Detroit’s linebacker corps didn’t play as much as par with their performances over the previous few weeks, however defensive captain Alex Anzalone quietly was in a position to nonetheless put up massive numbers for the protection.
As an out of doors linebacker, his main job was to comprise Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ steady of gifted working backs, in addition to cowl the flats and watch for brief passing ideas.
Kansas Metropolis’s offense picked Detroit aside in these areas sadly, however Anzalone made up for it by being Detroit’s lead tackler on this recreation and placing collectively a formidable field rating. The defensive captain completed the night time with 12 complete tackles and a QB hit on Mahomes. Although he wasn’t as robust as he must be in protection, he nonetheless discovered himself close to the receiver when the catch was made and sometimes was the one making the deal with on these performs.
