The defensive performance that just made Kansas City a title factor again

Of all the uncharacteristic moments from Kansas City’s start to the NFL season, the final touchdown the Chiefs allowed Oct. 6 was among the most baffling

Of all the uncharacteristic moments from Kansas City’s start to the NFL season, the final touchdown the Chiefs allowed Oct. 6 was among the most baffling.

Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence stumbled and fell to the turf, twice, appearing to be an easy tackle. Instead, Lawrence got to his feet, evading Chiefs tacklers en route to a touchdown that secured a 2-3 start to Kansas City’s season.

The moment appeared ominous. The Chiefs couldn’t stop a player flat on his back — and just six days later, they would be facing Detroit’s league-best offense. Then, to begin “Sunday Night Football,” the Chiefs promptly allowed a field goal, on a play that would have been a touchdown if not for a penalty, and a touchdown on Detroit’s first two drives, allowing more than six yards a play while being pushed around.

They looked flawed and unable to hang with a team that had established itself among the NFL’s best teams.

Yet Detroit went on to score on just one of its final six drives Sunday. It failed to convert either of its two fourth-down attempts. And for the first time since Week 1, the Lions failed to rush for at least 100 yards, as their NFL-best backfield of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs were held to 89 yards.