Super Bowl champions Kansas City slip to opening night defeat

Patrick Mahomes had a pass intercepted for a touchdown as the Lions made the Chiefs pay for their mistakes.

POOR START: Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts in the final plays of the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions. Picture: David Eulitt/Getty Images

Kansas City Chiefs defence of their Super Bowl crown got off to a shaky start as they went down in a mistake-ridden 21-20 defeat to the Detroit Lions in the NFL curtain raiser on Thursday.

The Chiefs, who have been to three of the last four Super Bowls and have won twice, headed into the new NFL season as favourites to retain their crown.