By Jesse Newell, Colton Pouncy and Rebecca Tauber

Patrick Mahomes threw for 257 yards and three touchdown passes — two to Hollywood Brown — as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Detroit Lions 30-17 Sunday night to get to 3-3 on the season.

The action didn’t end when the clock ran out, however. A scuffle broke out between Brian Branch and JuJu Smith-Schuster, beginning when Branch refused a handshake from Mahomes. Smith-Schuster also tried to shake Branch’s hand. But Branch instead slapped Smith-Schuster, who was still wearing his helmet, on his face, causing Smith-Schuster to fall to the ground.

The Lions dropped to 4-2 ahead of their matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while the Chiefs next take on the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7.

Chiefs’ offense on fire

This Chiefs offense has dominated for three consecutive weeks — and should get even better. They scored touchdowns on four of its first seven drives and overwhelmed a Detroit defense battling injuries in the secondary. The Chiefs — following a week when they went for 7.6 yards per play against the Jacksonville Jaguars — had a healthy 6.1 yards per gain (before kneeldowns).

Mahomes looked comfortable and in control all night, completing 22 of 30 attempts.

The Chiefs will be even more whole next week. Top receiver Rashee Rice will return following a six-game NFL suspension, and inside the team’s offices he’s considered their best skill position player aside from Mahomes.

In other words… this could just be the start of a revival for the Chiefs’ offense to something similar to its glory days of the late 2010s. — Jesse Newell, Chiefs beat writer

Keeping things afloat

The Chiefs, battling a brutal early-season schedule, needed this win. If they had slipped to 2-4, their chances of reaching the playoffs would have been just slightly better than a coin flip with a challenging slate remaining.

The Chiefs can now take a bit of a breather. They’re only a game behind the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos in the AFC West, and that’s with seven of their eight divisional games still ahead of them.

Kansas City had played better than its record to this point, but eventually, a positive result was needed. The Chiefs got that Sunday night. — Newell

Defense stands out in one area

The Chiefs talked all week about matching the Lions’ physicality. They did that all night defensively, thanks mostly to a tough group of back-seven players.

Linebacker Leo Chenal had a standout game while shutting down run lanes. Defensive backs Bryan Cook and Chamarri Conner flew downhill to make plays, while Jaylen Watson had one of his best games.

Up front, defensive tackle Chris Jones followed a week in which he was criticized for his late-game effort against the Jacksonville Jaguars by putting together his best performance of this season.

The defense was gashed at times over the middle by Detroit’s pass game, but the Chiefs’ defensive effort was always there. They certainly weren’t bullied by a Lions offense that has manhandled some previous opponents. — Newell

Detroit lacked the plays

Even with injuries in the secondary and at left tackle, the Lions didn’t make the necessary plays. They didn’t capitalize in the red zone on their opening possession, settling for a field goal after a trick play was nullified. Amon-Ra St. Brown had an uncharacteristic drop on fourth down, and the defense — looking slow and lost at times — couldn’t get off the field when needed.

That will never get it done against Mahomes. To make matters worse, Branch shoved Smith-Schuster after the final whistle. That’ll be a hefty fine, at least. Not a good night for the Lions. — Colton Pouncy, Lions beat writer

Can the Lions stand up to the Bucs?

The Lions are now 4-2 and get one of the hottest teams in the NFL — Baker Mayfield and the Bucs — next Monday night at home. We’ll see if left tackle Taylor Decker is able to play, or if the Lions opt to rest him through the bye week. We’ll see if some of the tackling and communication issues on defense are cleaned up. If not, it could be a rough day.

Mayfield is playing some excellent football right now, and this secondary — hobbled and all — doesn’t look equipped to slow down the weapons Tampa Bay has. — Pouncy