KANSAS CITY 31, DETROIT 21 : Lions Revert to Losing Ways

Anyone from the Detroit Lions trying to talk Barry Sanders out of retirement should hide this game film from him.

Detroit’s patchwork offensive line spent much of the day getting whipped by Kansas City’s defense as the Chiefs seized a 24-7 lead en route to a 31-21 victory Sunday that kept the Lions from their first 3-0 start since 1980.

“We played well, we played with a lot of emotion,” said Chief defensive lineman Ty Parten, whose hit on quarterback Charlie Batch caused an interception that led to Kansas City’s last touchdown.

The Lions (2-1) appeared to miss the retired Sanders.

In their first six possessions, the Lions were sacked three times, had a pass batted down, were penalized twice and punted five times.

“We came in here anticipating they would put pressure on us, and that’s what they did,” Batch said. “It really was up to us to go out there and make it happen, and we didn’t do it.”

Elvis Grbac threw two touchdown passes as the Chiefs (2-1), who were down to their third-team halfback in the second half, won their second in a row and got touchdowns from four players.

Bam Morris started in place of Kimble Anders and he went out with a hamstring injury, but it didn’t seem to matter.

“I think everybody is getting comfortable,” said wide receiver Joe Horn, whose diving, fingertip catch of Grbac’s 25-yard pass put the Chiefs on top 24-7 with 5:00 left in the third quarter. “We know we are capable of doing anything we set out to do.”

With two new starters on the offensive line, Batch was sacked four times, intercepted twice and had two passes batted away.

It was 31-13 before Batch threw a short pass to Ron Rivers, who weaved his way 31 yards for a touchdown with 2:11 left. Batch wound up 16 for 34 for 213 yards.