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          Lions' Brian Branch picks off Patrick Mahomes, races 50 yards for TD

          • Eric Woodyard, ESPNSep 8, 2023, 02:29 AM
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              Eric Woodyard covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN. He joined ESPN in September 2019 as an NBA reporter dedicated to the Midwest region before switching to his current role in April 2021. The Flint, Mich. native is a graduate of Western Michigan University and has authored/co-authored three books: "Wasted, Ethan's Talent Search" and "All In: The Kelvin Torbert Story". He is a proud parent of one son, Ethan. You can follow him on Twitter: @E_Woodyard

          KANSAS CITY -- The first touchdown of the 2023 NFL season belongs to Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

          The third year wideout reached the endzone off a 9-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Jared Goff on a short right pass at 2:52 in the opening quarter to put the Lions up 7-0 against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.

          St. Brown now has 12 receiving touchdowns through his 34 career games. Goff and St. Brown connected on their 10th touchdown together.

          Goff's passing touchdown to St. Brown marked his 332nd consecutive pass without an interception, which matches Derek Carr for the fourth longest streak in NFL history.

          On the same drive, the Lions also pulled off a fake punt play on 4th & 2 to gain a critical first down off a direct snap from linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who went up the middle for three yards.

          The Lions were the most aggressive team on 4th down last season, going for it a league-high 32% of the time, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

          In the third quarter, rookie defensive back Brian Branch tied the game 14-14 with his first NFL touchdown.

          The Alabama product picked off Patrick Mahomes -- via a deflection -- on a short pass intended for Kadarius Toney before sprinting 50 yards into the end zone.

          Branch is the first Lions rookie to record a pick-6 since former Detroit safety Louis Delmas in 2009.