DETROIT — Gunther Cunningham, who spent 11 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, was treated to a Gatorade shower on the field immediately after the Lions blasted the Chiefs 48-3 on Sunday.

The Lions defensive coordinator tried to downplay the connection through the week, but his players and everyone else knew this game was especially important.

“I know he was emotional. He didn’t say much. I know this game was important and what it meant to him. He made this game about the players and didn’t make it about him this week. But we understood and we felt it,’’ Kyle Vanden Bosch said.

“We as players, I know probably more than any coach I’ve played for, he cares about the players. In turn, the players care about him. It became really important for us, especially in the second half, to finish it the right way. It’s important for this team, as opposed to last week, we didn’t put them away. It was important for us, but we knew it was important for Gun as well.’’

Louis Delmas agreed.

“You knew it was a special game for him just by the energy, he didn’t say much throughout the week, you could look at his eyes ...’’ Delmas said.

It just wasn’t about his history with the team. Last season the Chiefs brought up tampering charges against the Lions which were believed to have involved Cunningham and Jarrad Page. Neither Cunningham or the team has ever commented on the charges. It cost the Lions a draft pick.

On Sunday the Lions let the players do the talking on the field. They embarrassed the Chiefs who have been outscored 89-10 in their first two losses.

It was a big win for the Lions, a big win for Gun.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche. Get Lions news delivered directly to your phone by texting the keyword "Lions" to 22700.)