In the 2011 NFL Draft, the Lions would bolster their defense when they selected Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley. The Lions opened the 2011 season with a 27–20 road win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In Week 2, the Lions played their first home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. They would torch the Chiefs 48–3 to set a franchise record for both the largest margin of victory and the most points scored in a regular season game. The team continued to improve in Week 3 as they climbed back from a 20-point deficit to win 26–23 in overtime to beat the Minnesota Vikings in Minnesota for the first time since 1997. This game marked the Lions' first 3–0 start since 1980. The next week, they would defeat the Dallas Cowboys in a come from behind 34–30 win, moving to 4–0.