What’s being said nationally after Lions beat defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, MO. — The Detroit Lions put the NFL world on notice, beating the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs 21-20 to open the regular season from Arrowhead.

Detroit went into the fourth quarter trailing 17-14, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes spreading the love to 12 different pass-catchers, creating magic on the run. But its defense made several clutch plays, including a 50-yard interception touchdown by rookie Brian Branch. And the Lions also got Mahomes off the field at the two-minute warning, and, most importantly, the Chiefs failed to convert a third-down on seven tries in the second half.

Related: Instant observations: Lions deliver on hype in 21-20 comeback win against Chiefs

Related: Lions take the spotlight, beat Chiefs 21-20 to open season: Live updates recap

Kansas City even widened its lead, hitting a field goal to go up 20-14 midway through the fourth quarter. But the Lions kept coming back, with receiver Josh Reynolds making a handful of big plays, and their new-look running back room heating up down the stretch. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs worked some magic, breaking a handful of tackles for an 18-yard run on first-and-15 with five minutes left in the game. And veteran running back David Montgomery put the game on ice, adding the go-ahead touchdown in his first game with the Lions.

This post will run through headlines from around the country, with a recap of coverage from MLive reporting live from Arrowhead Stadium on a wild night.

From around the country:

Lions spoil Chiefs’ celebration of Super Bowl title by rallying for a 21-20 win in the NFL’s opener — Associated Press

Chiefs fans not happy with play of receivers, especially Kadarius Toney, in Lions’ loss — The Kansas City Star

Goff and the Lions stun Mahomes and the Chiefs at home — ESPN

Lions roar in NFL season opener, stun defending champs — Yahoo! Sports

Former Giants wideout Kadarius Toney drops multiple passes in Chiefs’ loss to Lions — SNY

What we learned from Kansas City Chiefs’ 21-20 loss vs. Detroit Lions in NFL opener — The Kansas City Star

Thursday Night Football: Chiefs drop opener 21-20 to upstart Lions — Pro Football Talk

Lions upset Chiefs to open 2023 NFL season — The Athletic

Brian Branch takes INT 50 yards to the house for pick-six, contributing to Lions Week 1 win — ESPN

Chiefs lose to Detroit Lions in NFL kickoff season opener. The grades are worth a look — The Kansas City Star

Officials looked the other way on many Jawaan Taylor fouls — Pro Football Talk

Holdout Chris Jones attends Chiefs game, watches from suite — NFL.com

From MLive:

Detroit Lions fans make presence felt ahead of anticipated opener in Kansas City

Halftime analysis: Dan Campbell’s brazen fake punt gives Lions fighting chance

Peyton Manning on the Lions: ‘I’m drinking Detroit’s kool-aid this year’

How the Lions went from laughingstock to brink of title contention in just 3 years

Lions-Chiefs predictions: No love for Detroit in Week 1 showdown