Detroit Lions film review: Breaking down defensive lapses that led to Patrick Mahomes' big night

Allen Park — A warning, out of the gate, if you found Sunday night’s game between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs to be a frustrating watch, this week’s film review isn’t going to provide you any relief.

The refrain during the week, mentioned multiple times during the broadcast, was that Detroit felt it needed to score at least 30 to win. That sentiment was almost certainly rooted in a banged-up defense being asked to slow down a potent offense led by two-time MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

And, it turned out to be prophetic, with the Chiefs racking up that exact tally and the Lions failing to go blow-for-blow in the 30-17 decision.

Mahomes was the driving force in the outcome. He completed 22-of-30 for 257 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also added a score on the ground, finishing with 32 rushing yards. By the end of the night, he had thrust himself back to the top of this year’s MVP voting odds, an award he hasn’t won since 2022.

This week’s tape study focuses on what Mahomes was able to thrive on Sunday, and surprisingly, how little Detroit’s patchwork secondary was the problem.