DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 18: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions scores on an 18 yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford #9 during the first quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Ford Field on September 18, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
The Chiefs knew they were in for a long day when Jamaal Charles was carted off the field with a knee injury, but they couldn't have expected it would go quite this bad. Detroit's defense forced six turnovers, and Matthew Stafford and Co. took advantage of the extra possessions by leading a 48-3 rout. It's the largest margin of victory in Lions' franchise history.
Stafford finished the game with 294 yards and four touchdowns. Calvin Johnson finished the game with only three catches and 29 yards, but two of his catches were in the end zone. Nate Burleson led the Lions with seven catches for 93 yards, while rookie Titus Young pitched in five catches for 89 yards. Jahvid Best (six catches, 66 yards) and tight end Tony Scheffler (one catch, 36 yards) caught Staffords other two scores. Best also found the end zone on the ground, scoring once among his 16 carries for 57 yards.
The most memorable score of the game, though, came from Keiland Williams. Leading 41-3, the Lions found themselves with a first-and-goal on KC's five-yard line. Williams ran for four yards on first down before being stopped twice for no gain. Instead of kicking for the field goal on fourth-and-goal from the one, the Lions gave it to Williams one more time, which he finally converted for the final score of the game, 48-3.
Are the Lions guilty of running up the score? It depends on your point of view. A chip shot field goal would have been almost guaranteed points; at least the Lions gave the Chiefs a chance to stop them from scoring.
Charles left the game with only two carries for 27 yards. Thomas Jones (12 carries, 40 yards) didn't do much in his place. Dexter McCluster came through with a solid performance (eight carries, 51 yards), but his day was marred by a lost fumble.
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Matt Cassel, bothered the entire game by Detroit's front line, finished with 133 yards and three interceptions. The lone silver lining for Kansas City (at least from a fantasy perspective) was Dwayne Bowe, who tallied five catches for 101 yards. He was the only Chiefs receiver to finish with more than 12 yards.
The Lions, long considered one of NFL's doormats, have looked outstanding for two weeks in a row. They travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings in Week 3. The Chiefs, who eagerly await to learn the severity of Charles' injury, travel to San Diego to face the Chargers.
For more on the Lions, visit Pride of Detroit. For more on the Chiefs, check out Arrowhead Pride. Visit SB Nation's game page for more coverage of this game.


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