QB Hooker leads Lions' come-from-behind win over Chiefs as Bates hits game-winning FG as time expires

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Ferndale, Mich. — My view for Saturday’s preseason game between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium will be a little different than usual. Instead of my standard seat in the press box, I’ll be covering this matchup from my living room, with the sound of revving engines emanating from the Woodward Dream Cruise in the background.

With no joint practices, and most, if not all of Detroit’s starters resting, skipping this trip was an easy budget decision. For what it’s worth, it should be the only time I take in a live game from home during the 2024 season.

While still settling into a coverage plan on game days, here’s today’s agenda:

● Timestamped quarter-by-quarter updates, supplemented by any noteworthy events, including injuries.

● Five (or more) rapid reactions shortly after the final whistle.

● A postgame stock report of players trending up or down heading into the final week of the preseason.

● Depending on audio/video made available by the team, a “Pressers and Scrums” post rounding up the highlights from Dan Campbell’s postgame press conference.

4:28 p.m. — Undrafted rookie edge rusher Isaac Ukwu — who had a nice preseason debut — exited in the first quarter with a lower body injury. He landed awkwardly after taking a helmet to the right knee from Kansas City offensive tackle Lucas Niang, who was executing a legal cut block on the first-down play.

4:44 p.m. — The first quarter was all Kansas City as the home team jumped out to a 13-0 lead. That’s hardly a surprise given the defending champions are playing their starters, while the Lions are resting their first-stringers.

The key for the Chiefs has been their execution on third down. On the opening drive, rookie receiver Xavier Worthy got open deep on third-and-10 for a 39-yard gain before the defense tightened in the red zone, forcing the Chiefs to settle for a short field goal.

Detroit’s second-string offense looked OK with its first drive, but stalled near midfield when quarterback Nate Sudfeld’s first read was taken away by a dropping linebacker and the QB was forced to roll from the pocket and check it down to receiver Kaden Davis short of the sticks on third down.

The Chiefs added another field goal when the Lions’ defense bent but didn’t break for a second time. On this occasion, Mitchell Agude came up with the big play, dropping Chiefs running back Carson Steele for a big loss on a third down pass.

Kansas City extended its lead to 13 after Detroit rookie receiver Jalon Calhoun fumbled away the ensuing kickoff. Three plays later, Worthy got behind the coverage of Amik Robertson on a double-move from the slot for a 22-yard touchdown.

The second quarter opens with the Lions in Chiefs territory, facing second-and-8.

4:54 p.m. — Ukwu has returned to the game for Detroit’s first defensive series of the second quarter.

5:42 p.m. — With Kansas City’s starters heading to the bench, the game became more competitive in the second quarter. Detroit quicky stalled out to open the frame, but got a boost from kicker Jake Bates, who drilled a 55-yard field goal.

The two sides briefly traded punts before the Lions found the end zone for the first time this preseason. Sudfeld delivered a downfield strike to Kaden Davis, who broke a tackle and romped the remaining 30-plus yards for a 61-yard touchdown. That’s a cool moment for the Kansas native who has more than 25 family and friends in the stands according to the broadcast.

That score cut Kanas City’s lead to four, where it remained after Bates sent the extra point wide left.

The Chiefs pushed the advantage back to seven after a massive 41-yard gain on a draw for running back Deneric Prince. That’s the second time a draw has killed the Lions this preseason, but the damage was limited to three when Mathieu Betts blew past the offensive tackle with an inside move for a third-down sack.

The Lions closed the half with a successful two-minute drive led by an impressive pass-catching display for running back Sione Vaki, who hauled in four throws for 59 yards during the series.

The offense couldn’t finish with a touchdown after the rookie running back’s final grab set them up first-and-goal from the 5, leaving the Lions to settle for a chip shot from Bates to make the score 16-12 at the break.

6:27 p.m. — It was a relatively quiet third quarter as the Lions were responsible for the only scoring; a short field goal off the foot of Bates.

The Chiefs had two possessions, both starting near midfield because of lengthy punt and kickoff returns, but third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun couldn’t capitalize.

The Lions, meanwhile, turned things over to second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker, who had a uninspiring first drive, before putting together a 14-play, 85-yard series with his second possession.

Hooker was sharp, overall, competing 7-of-10 for 68 yards, even after starting with a bad overthrow to an open receiver on his first attempt. Running back Bam Knight also popped, gaining 32 yards on six carries.

The Lions worked into the red zone on the drive, but were undone by a 4-yard loss on a tap pass to Isaiah Williams on first down, putting Hooker behind the sticks and unable to recover, leading to Bates’ 32-yarder, which cut the Chiefs lead to one entering the final quarter.

7:13p.m. — The fourth quarter started with a pair of punts when Hooker ate a bad sack on third-and-1. From there, the Chiefs scored a long touchdown, after Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore missed a pass breakup while attempting to undercut a route, resulting in receiver Cornell Powell coming free for a 64-yard catch-and-run.

Detroit responded with a touchdown drive of its own, led by Hooker, who kept the chains moving with his arm — including a 37-yard pass to Williams — before capping the drive with a 7-yard scoring scramble.

A failed two-point try left the Lions down two, but the team had a chance to take a late lead after recovering a fumble, forced by defensive lineman Josh Paschal, inside the 10-yard line. Unfortunately, Detroit gave the ball right back after a botched handoff exchange between Hooker and Knight.

Detroit’s defense responded to the giveaway by forcing a three-and-out, and Williams brought the punt back 20 yards into Kansas City territory.

A 14-yard pass from Hooker to Tom Kennedy, followed by a 5-yard carry by Jake Funk, put the Lions comfortably into field goal range, and Bates sealed the deal with a 43-yarder as time expired, giving the Lions the 24-23 win.