Comfort level: Quarterback Hendon Hooker looked much more poised in his second NFL game Saturday, helping Detroit to a 24-23 win over Kansas City. He completed 12-of-15 passes for 150 yards for a 108.3 passer rating and also rushed for a 7-yard touchdown. He had a turnover on a fumble late that almost cost the Lions, but they overcame it and he really looked comfortable as he continues to battle Nate Sudfeld (14-of-27 for 196 & TD) for the backup quarterback job behind Jared Goff.
O-line backups: As we get down to the final couple weeks before roster cuts, the depth along the offensive line is starting to come into a bit more focus. Getting the start upfront Saturday with the first-team o-line having the afternoon off were Dan Skipper (LT), Kayode Awosika (LG), Kingsley Eguakun (C), Michael Niese (RG) and Colby Sorsdal (RT). Niese and Skipper appear to the be the first players up next at tackle and along the interior. That group as a whole played really well against the Chiefs, keeping a nice pocket for Sudfeld to throw in and not allowing a sack.
View photos from the Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preseason Week 2 game at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, August 17 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) and Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) and Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13), Detroit Lions safety C.J. Moore (38), Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) and Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65), Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8), and Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) and Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8), Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), and Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) and Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) and Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Daurice Fountain (12) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (1) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Jake Burton (67), Detroit Lions center Bryan Hudson (64), and Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Zonovan Knight (27) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mathieu Betts (95) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) and Detroit Lions linebacker Abraham Beauplan (59) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) and Detroit Lions linebacker Abraham Beauplan (59) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Sean McKeon (86), Detroit Lions wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (10), Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2), and Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Essang Bassey (17) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) and Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) and Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Sean McKeon (86), Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), and Detroit Lions guard Jake Burton (67) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Good to see: Third-year defensive lineman Josh Paschal made an impact play at the end of the game with the strip sack. Paschal has battled injury his first two years in the league but has shown flashes. The former second-round pick is hoping to be a big part of the defensive line rotation, but I wonder what it means that he was in the game so late Saturday.
Safety depth: The Lions look to be in a good spot at safety with plenty of talent and depth after Brian Branch's move from the nickel to safety. Branch and Kerby Joseph are expected to start. Ifeatu Melifonwu was really good there at the end of last season and will work himself into some packages. The development of second-year player Brandon Joseph has really solidified the depth at the position. Brandon Joseph has had a really good camp with multiple interceptions in practice and was good Saturday, recording four tackles, a special teams tackle and a forced fumble.
Fourth receiver: It looks to be a tight competition for the final couple roster spots at receiver, not including who might be out there from the 31 other teams after cuts. Of the players on the Lions roster making a case for inclusion on the initial 53-man roster, Kaden Davis showed off the speed the Lions love in his game on a 61-yard touchdown grab.
Daurice Fountain and Donovan Peoples-Jones combined for just 3 catches for 20 yards. Isaiah Williams led the team in receiving for a second straight game with six catches for 71 yards. The Lions want to see what Williams can do on the outside the next two weeks.
Kickoff coverage: Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp can't be happy with some of the special teams play Sunday. The Lions fumbled a kickoff and a punt. The kickoff was recovered by Kansas City and resulted in a touchdown. Also, three different kickoff returners for the Chiefs averaged 30-plus yards per kickoff return – Nikko Remigio (31.0), Carson Steele (36.0) and Skyy Moore (35.0). Remigio also had a 42-yard punt return.
Versatile athlete: Sione Vaki is a freakish athlete being able to play both safety and running back in college. The Lions drafted him in the fourth round to be a running back and special teams ace. The rookie has been impressive in camp and the preseason. He touched the ball 10 times in Saturday's preseason win in Kansas City and gained 82 yards, including 60 on four receptions. His receiving skills out of the backfield have been really impressive in camp too. It's what might get him on the field on offense sooner rather than later.
Mahomes the magician: We've seen Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes make some pretty spectacular throws over what will eventually be a Hall of Fame career, but Saturday he dazzled the Chiefs faithful with a behind-the-back flip to tight end Travis Kelce for an 8-yard gain.
