History and Evolution of the Chiefs vs Lions NFL Rivalry | Kansas City and Detroit

The Rivalry Between the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions

The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions are two historic franchises in the NFL, with passionate fanbases that have had some memorable matchups over the years. While not the most high-profile rivalry in the league, games between these Midwest teams often generate excitement and anticipation.

In this article, we'll take a look at the history between the Chiefs and Lions, revisiting some of their most significant games and analyzing how the rivalry has evolved.

Early Years of the Rivalry

The Chiefs and Lions first met in 1970, when the Chiefs were still known as the Dallas Texans. After relocating to Kansas City in 1963, the rivalry began in earnest. During the early years, the Lions held the upper hand, winning seven of the first ten contests.

Notably, the Lions claimed victories in the first three matchups by a combined score of 68-10. However, the tide started to turn in the late 1970s and 80s, with the Chiefs going 7-5 over that span. A significant game occurred in 1980, with the Chiefs demolishing the Lions 48-17, led by QB Steve Fuller's 368 passing yards and RB Billy Jackson's 112 rushing yards.

Key Games in the 1990s and Early 2000s

The 1990s saw several hard-fought, memorable games between the franchises. In 1990, the Lions edged the Chiefs in a high-scoring affair, 30-27. Then in 1993, the Chiefs orchestrated a comeback 20-16 win at Arrowhead stadium on RB Harvey Williams' 1-yard TD in the 4th quarter.

The most famous matchup came in 1997, when the Chiefs hosted the Lions on Monday Night Football. It was a back-and-forth battle, with QB Elvis Grbac leading the Chiefs down the field in the final minute. Kicker Pete Stoyanovich nailed a 54-yard field goal as time expired to give the Chiefs a dramatic 20-17 victory.

In the early 2000s, the Lions began to turn the tide back in their favor, going 3-1 in four meetings from 2000-2007. This included a win at Ford Field in 2002 and a victory at Arrowhead in 2007 behind Jon Kitna's 345 passing yards.

Recent Years

Since 2010, the rivalry has been decidedly one-sided, with the Chiefs winning six straight matchups by an average margin of 12 points. Most recently, the Chiefs dominated the Lions 45-10 at home in 2019.

QB Patrick Mahomes led the way with 315 passing yards and no interceptions. The Chiefs defense also excelled, forcing three turnovers and holding the Lions to just 261 total yards. With the win, Andy Reid became the winningest head coach in franchise history, passing Marty Schottenheimer.

Other noteworthy recent games include a 45-10 Chiefs blowout win in 2011, as well as a hard-fought 26-17 victory at Wembley Stadium in London in 2015. In that overseas matchup, Cairo Santos kicked four field goals to provide the winning edge for the Chiefs.

Memorable Players and Coaches

Numerous talented players and coaches have left their mark on the Chiefs-Lions rivalry over the years. For the Chiefs, stars like Len Dawson, Tony Gonzalez, Derrick Thomas, and Tyreek Hill have excelled against Detroit. Iconic coaches Hank Stram and Marty Schottenheimer frequently led KC past the Lions.

On the Lions' side, running backs like Barry Sanders and Billy Sims have given the Chiefs defense fits. Coaches Wayne Fontes and Jim Schwartz both notched winning records against Kansas City. Additionally, former Lions TE Charlie Sanders was a nightmare matchup, tallying nine career TDs against the Chiefs.

Why the Rivalry Matters

Beyond the entertaining games, there are other reasons this AFC/NFC showdown has become a meaningful rivalry:

• Geographic proximity – The teams are located just 670 miles apart in the Midwest.
• Fan allegiances – With overlapping fan bases, the games often split households.
• Playoff implications – Matchups often impact postseason seeding and standings.
• Bragging rights – Wins provide an entire year of bragging rights and trash talk.

While it may fly under the radar nationally, Chiefs vs. Lions games generate substantial interest locally in Kansas City, Detroit, and neighboring areas. With so much shared history, the rivalry appeals to multiple generations of passionate NFL fans.

The Rivalry Outlook Moving Forward

In recent years, the Chiefs have dominated the matchup, but Lions fans are hopeful that new leadership and roster moves will close the gap. Although on paper Kansas City has a clear edge, the Lions have enough young talent to still make games competitive and interesting.

Chiefs supporters expect more of the same success but know Detroit is capable of surprises, especially at home in front of their raucous fans. Both fanbases, along with neutral NFL followers, will continue tuning in whenever these historic franchises square off.

Each game represents a new chapter in the ever-evolving Chiefs-Lions rivalry. With young stars like Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff leading their teams, the future looks bright. Buckle up for more memorable moments when these bitter Midwest foes battle for bragging rights!

FAQs

When did the Chiefs and Lions first meet?

The Chiefs and Lions first met in 1970, when the Chiefs were still known as the Dallas Texans. After relocating to Kansas City in 1963, the rivalry began in earnest that year.

Which team has more wins in the rivalry?

Overall, the Kansas City Chiefs lead the all-time series with a record of 29-19-2 against the Detroit Lions. The Chiefs dominated the rivalry in the 1990s and 2000s but the Lions held the early advantage.

Who was the Lions' best player against the Chiefs?

Running back Barry Sanders frequently torched the Chiefs defense in the 1990s. In 10 career games against KC, Sanders rushed for over 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns.

What was the Chiefs' largest margin of victory?

The Chiefs biggest blowout win came in 2011, when they crushed the Lions 48-3 at Arrowhead Stadium. QB Matt Cassel threw for 294 yards as the Chiefs defense forced 6 turnovers.

When was the last meeting between the teams?

The last matchup came in 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium, with the Chiefs winning convincingly, 34-30. QB Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to scores on their first three drives in the victory.