The Detroit Lions took part in their second preseason game of the 2024 slate on Saturday and saw much better results than their exhibition opener, with the Lions beating the Kansas City Chiefs, 24-23.
But, as we know, the final score is hardly the most important thing in a preseason game. Instead, the exhibition slate is more about developing players and evaluating them for the initial 53-man roster.
Several players helped their cause in the contest, while a few others did not. Let's go over the Lions' biggest winners and losers from their preseason Week 2 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Detroit Lions winners and losers
Winner: QB Hendon Hooker
Hooked was phenomenal in his second preseason game, completing 12-of-15 passes for 150 yards while adding a rushing touchdown. After throwing incompletions on his first two passes, Hooker finished 12-of-13.
The second-year quarterback looked poised in the pocket and his passes were accurate. Three of his five drives resulted in points (one touchdown, two field goals).
Hooker did lose a fumble on a bad handoff, but that came after a high snap that played a role in the turnover. That said, there was far more good than bad and it's safe to say that Hooker has taken the lead in the backup competition.
Loser: QB Nate Sudfeld
Sudfeld was better than he was last week, but still wasn't better than Hooker. The veteran completed 14-of-27 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown. He also threw an interception on what was a terrible decision.
Winner: RB Sione Vaki
Vaki's versatility was on full display in preseason Week 2, with the rookie catching four passes for 60 yards, all of which came on the last drive of the second half in the two-minute drill.
Vaki wasn't as impressive on the ground as he was last week, with six carries for 22 yards, which works out to 3.7 yards per carry. However, he now has one game where he shined as a rusher and one game where he shined as a pass-catcher this preseason.
Loser: WR Jalon Calhoun
Calhoun needed to shine in the return game to give himself a better chance at making the roster, but he failed to do that on Saturday. The UDFA fumbled one of his kickoff returns and the Chiefs turned that into points. He had one catch for 12 yards.
Winner: WR Kaden Davis
With the Lions looking for a receiver to step up, Davis did just that. His 64-yard touchdown reception that showed his breakaway speed was one of the two touchdowns the Lions had against Kansas City.
Winner: CB Khalil Dorsey
Dorsey showed impressive coverage skills in the first half, going step-for-step with his man down the sideline to force an incompletion on a deep ball. He also had a tackle for loss and was tied for the team lead with five tackles.
Winner: Isaac Ukwu
Ukwu exited the game early with an injury but was able to return to action. After he did, Ukwu immediately forced a holding penalty and later added a sack. He now has two sacks in two preseason games.
Winner: WR Isaiah Williams
Williams likely cemented his spot on the 53-man roster after he led the team in receiving yards for a second straight week. Williams finished with six catches for 71 yards, with 53 coming after the catch.
He also had one carry for 11 yards and three punt returns for 41 yards, with his last one helping to set the Lions up for the game-winning field goal.
Winner: LB Mitchell Agude
Agude was very active on Saturday, tallying four tackles, two of which went for a loss. His best play of the game saw him make a great read on a screen that forced a nine-yard loss and held the Chiefs to a field goal.
Winner: K Jake Bates
Bates missed an extra point, but managed to make all four of his field goals. His long was from 55 yards out, and his 43-yard make won the game. That should be good enough to prevent the Lions from bringing in competition for another week.
Winner: DE Josh Paschal
Paschall played a ton of snaps and notched a sack and forced fumble that the Lions recovered deep in Chiefs territory.
Winner: LB Abraham Beauplan
Beauplan finished tied for the team lead with five tackles, and two of those tackles were for losses. He also recovered the fumble that Paschal forced.
