NFL International Series: KC Chiefs 45 Detroit Lions 10 recap and analysis

The Lions played a very good first drive be balanced on runs and passes but a sack limited them to just a FG, unfortunately for them it has been their last good one in this game. The Chiefs answered back immediately thanks to a very active Kelce who made a couple of key receptions who brought them close to the end zone where WR Thomas scored untouched on an end around, since that moment KC's defense dominated the game and gave their offense a lot of chances to score and Smith put up a great drive by himself getting out of trouble twice with his leg, the first time a long run across midfield and the second one a 3rd down TD out of the read option. Stafford on the following drive committed a big mistake under pressure and throw the ball right to CB Smith who made an easy pick that let them score 3 points on a Santos' FG. Again on the following drive Stafford made a bad pass that has been deflected in the air and then picked of at midfield by Houston but this time Detroit paid that mistake with a TD by West who also gave his contribution on both running and passing game in that drive. The Chiefs continued their domination spring another TD by Kelce and stopping the Lions on a 4th down situation around midfield, finishing to score a receiving TD by Maclin on a post route that ended the Lions' comeback chances.

I went to Wembley to see this game because i expected an hard battle between 2 tough teams but saw just one, the Chiefs who dominated the battles on the line of scrimmage on both sides, Detroit's defense played an awful game defensively where they haven't been able to put the pressure on Smith and when they did they haven't been able to contain him. On offense the o-line and Stafford played an awful game just Megatron has beengood but not enough to keep them in the game, their running game has been inexistent, consequence of the Chiefs' d-line lead by Poe who dominated the line of scrimmage. Alex Smith played a great game being able to use his skills at his best, helped by a good performance by the o-line and by a good running game lead by rookie HB West.

MVP: Alex Smith