Anyone care if Travis Kelce and Chris Jones didn't play Thursday night?
Not if you are the Lions. Or if you are a Lions' fan.
The Lions did exactly what was needed to beat the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs on the road.
It wasn't pretty, but it sure was gritty, the kind of do-what-must-be-done-to-win performances the Lions are rapidly becoming known for under head coach Dan Campbell.
The Lions won a stare down. It was the Chiefs who blinked.
The Lions put together a long drive and then held off the mighty Patrick Mahomes with 2 1-2 minutes remaining and field position on his side.
The Lions' offensive line lived up to its sterling reputation by wearing down the Chiefs in the fourth quarter. Jared Goff hung in the pocket on a third down and gunned a key first-down pass while taking a big hit on the deciding drive.
Aidan Hutchinson played at an All-Pro level on the edge of the Lions' defense, consistently forcing Mahomes out of his comfort zone. The revamped secondary was notably improved.
There will be fans who lament the drops by the young Chiefs' receivers, but the Lions' rookies played well.
Jahmyr Gibbs not only ran with quickness and speed, but shed tacklers. Brian Branch had a pick six that turned the course of the game after KC had scored a TD to close the first half, taking 14-7 lead. Sam LaPorta caught all five passes he was targeted, and executed a key block at the point of attack on David Montgomery's winning TD run. Jack Campbell was impactful.
The highlights were terrific. Yet, it was how the Lions responded to lulls that was most impressive. In the past, the Lions would have folded after the red zone fumble by Marvin Jones. Or the late first-half TD drive engineered by Mahomes and the 41-yard pass interference call on Cam Sutton.
The defense would have allowed TDs instead of forcing KC to settle for two field goals.
But this isn't the past.
While the Lions are a long way from any tangible achievements, this win was the best sign yet the organization has turned the corner.
They were not only good enough to outlast the Chiefs, they were tough enough, physically and mentally.
It's unquestionably different, much better and anything but a fluke.
Enjoy.
