Lessons Lions Can Learn from Chiefs

Can the Lions compete for a Lombardi Trophy in the next couple years?

The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champions for the second time in four seasons.

Behind the tandem of head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs are on the precipice of building a dynasty. They’ve reached the AFC championship in each of the past four seasons, with three Super Bowl appearances.

Disheartening as that may seem around the league, the NFL does have plenty of parity. This level of parity can give hope to all teams, including the Detroit Lions.

Though the Lions have not won a playoff game since 1992, they currently have an exciting young core around head coach Dan Campbell. If the Lions want to reach this level of success, they should take notes from the NFL’s current champions.

More: 2023 Detroit Lions NFL Power Rankings

Certainly, the Chiefs have a generational passer leading them in Mahomes. He’s proven to be the total package, with a winning pedigree, the ability to make any throw and mobility to make plays on the move.

Players like him are hard to find, though, which leaves teams finding other ways to reach the top.

Here are five lessons Detroit can learn from the Chiefs. 

Superb pass rush

Though Mahomes and Kansas City’s offensive expertise steal the headlines, the Chiefs boast a powerful pass rush that has kept them afloat in games where the offense sputters.

In the three playoff games, the Chiefs’ defense produced nine sacks. The unit was dominant in the regular season, sacking opposing quarterbacks a total of 55 times. This ranked second in the league behind only Philadelphia, whom they beat in the Super Bowl.

Chris Jones established himself as one of the league’s top pass rushers with 15.5 sacks.

This skill is something that Detroit is currently building, as rookies Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston provided a glimpse at a potentially exciting future in 2022. Detroit ranked 18th in sacks, meaning there is room to grow.

Many believe Detroit will commit to its defense in the offseason, which could push the team closer to contending.

Consistent run game

The Chiefs have found excellent compliments to Mahomes within their run game. Most recently, the tandem of Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon helped supplement the team’s passing game.

Pacheco rushed for 76 yards in the Super Bowl victory, scoring a third-quarter touchdown to help fuel the team’s rally. The rookie has shown immense value over the late stages of the season with his physical running style.

Additionally, the duo of Pacheco and McKinnon help out in the passing game. Through the use of screen plays and short routes, Mahomes has been able to utilize his running backs in a variety of ways.

The Lions have a solid duo of backs themselves, with Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift proving to be dynamic when both are healthy. Williams is a free agent, though, and the Lions must bring him back to preserve this element of their offense.

If they can retain Williams, they will preserve the power-running element of their offense. Swift, meanwhile, provides the lightning with his speed and playmaking ability.

Swift’s ability to make plays as a receiver can help the Lions emulate this aspect of the Chiefs’ success. As long as Swift remains healthy, Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has the weapons to make his offense multi-dimensional.

© Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Limit mistakes and errors

Another trademark of the Super Bowl champions is their propensity for avoiding mistakes. Mahomes didn’t throw an interception in the postseason, avoiding the crucial mishaps that plagued their opponents.

While the defense created opportunities through turnovers, the Chiefs’ offense valued the ball and made the most of its possessions. Facing a 10-point deficit at halftime of Super Bowl 57, the Chiefs scored on each of their second-half possessions.

Detroit struggled with turnovers during the first half of the 2022 regular season, but its ability to take care of the ball keyed the second-half winning streak. Through the season’s final nine games, Lions quarterback Jared Goff avoided throwing an interception, and turned the ball over just once in total.

If the Lions are going to make a run to the postseason, they will have to continue valuing possessions and taking care of the ball.

Exploit opponent weaknesses

Kansas City head coach Andy Reid is widely known as one of the best coaches in the league. He and offensive coordinator Eric Beiniemy put on a show in the second half.

In particular, the red-zone creativity shown by the Chiefs has led to success. Against the Eagles, the Chiefs ran a similar passing concept exploiting the Eagles’ man coverage on two separate occasions, with both plays resulting in touchdowns.

The Chiefs finished second in the league in red-zone touchdown percentage. Detroit wasn’t far behind them, placing fourth.

With such a heavy emphasis on matchups, Kansas City has been able to put its talented players in the best possible positions to take advantage of opposing weaknesses.

The Lions have hope that current offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will be able to do the same. With his track record being established in 2022, it’s safe to assume Johnson and company will be able to take the offense to a high level.

Special teams make special plays

The Chiefs got a huge play from their special teams in the Super Bowl. Kadarius Toney set up a fourth-quarter touchdown with a 65-yard punt return. That run-back, which marks the longest in Super Bowl history, put the Chiefs deep in Philadelphia territory.

Kansas City has been sound on special teams during its recent Super Bowl runs. Kicker Harrison Butker has been among the league’s most reliable, and he played hero with the game-winning field goal Sunday evening.

The Lions have been snake bitten by struggles on special teams in recent years, starting with the kicker position. The organization has struggled to find a reliable piece in the kicking game, though Michael Badgely was solid for Detroit in 2022.

Oftentimes, a team’s special teams units can take the team to the next level. There are pieces in place for Detroit, such as punter Jack Fox and punt returner Kalif Raymond. If the Lions can keep the units performing at a high level, it will go a long way toward helping the team reach its desired success.