Photo by Matt Derrick, Chiefs Digest
Game Day Live: Chiefs Hosting Packers on Sunday Night Football at Arrowhead
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Chiefs are a home underdog hosting the Green Bay Packers at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday night, and that's entirely due to the absence of Patrick Mahomes.
The reigning MVP won't play tonight after dislocating his kneecap last week, but he practiced this week and took part in warmups on the field before tonight's game.
Mahomes is one of six Chiefs ruled out for this game. The others are defensive end Frank Clark, defensive tackle Chris Jones, left tackle Eric Fisher, left guard Andrew Wylie and cornerback Kendall Fuller.
The loss of Clark likely means a larger role for Emmanuel Ogbah and Tanoh Kpassagnon. Kpassagnon will likely split time inside and outside with Derrick Nnadi and Khalen Saunders starting at tackle. The only true backup tackle on the bench is Mike Pennel, who signed with the club as a free agent earlier this week.
Chiefs inactives
Not much surprise with six players already ruled out for tonight's game:
QB Patrick Mahomes
DE Frank Clark
DT Chris Jones
LT Eric Fisher
LG Andrew Wylie
CB Kendall Fuller
OL Greg Senat
The Chiefs will role with Stefen Wisniewski and Nick Allegretti as their backup offensive linemen. Running back Darwin Thompson will be active for the game.
Packers inactives
Green Bay will be without top wide receiver Davante Adams for a fourth-straight game due to a turf toe injury. Center Corey Linsley (back), safety Darnell Savage (ankle) and linebacker Blake Martinez (wrist/hand), who were all questionable heading into today, will play tonight.
The full list of inactives:
WR Davante Adams
WR Ryan Grant
CB Ka'dar Hollman
OL Cole Madison
OL Adam Pankey
TE Robert Tonyan
LB Tim Williams
Starting lineup
Emmanuel Ogbah will start at defensive end in place of Frank Clark with Khalen Saunders at defensive tackle for Chris Jones. Reggie Ragland and Damien Wilson took the snaps at linebacker during the run through alongside Anthony Hitchens in the middle. Rest of the defensive lineup looks the same, with Rashad Fenton filling in for Kendall Fuller as the slot corner.
Matt Moore looks like he will have a full complement of weapons on offense with Sammy Watkins back in the lineup. Offensive line will once agin feature left tackle Cam Erving and left guard Martinas Rankin with Eric Fisher and Andrew Wylie out.
Packers 7, Chiefs 0, 8:43 first quarter
Green Bay opens up with a 74-yard drive chewing up more than 6 minutes of clock. Chiefs run defense performed solidly, yielding just 9 yards on three carries. But a a 34-yard bomb to Jake Kumerow and two other chunk plays to Kumerow and Aaron Jones accounted for 31 more yards.
Packers 7, Chiefs 0, 7:25 first quarter
Both teams have used their challenge flag in the first quarter, and the Packers lead 1-0 in winning challenges. The Chiefs lost their challenge on Kumerow's 34-yard catch on the opening drive. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur challenged the spot on a third-down throw and won. Chiefs forced to punt, and Packers take over on their own 18.
Harrison Butker wide left from 50
The Chiefs lost 2 yards on their second drive after starting on the Green Bay 30-yard line. Butker missed the field goal in a swirling win. The American flag on the west side of the stadium is blowing in across the field, but the flags on the goal post at the opposite end are swirling. Going to make all kicks an adventure tonight.
Packers 14, Chiefs 0, 2:09 first quarter
Chiefs caught a break when Aaron Jones stepped out of bounds on a big touchdown play, but the defense couldn't keep Green Bay out of the end zone. Packers run game isn't getting much done, and the Chiefs pass has had its moments, but so far the Packers are outscheming the Chiefs in the passing game.
Packers 14, Chiefs 0, end of first quarter
Chiefs got their biggest play of the first quarter on the last play of the quarter, an 18-yard throw from Moore to Travis Kelce. Chiefs finish the first half trailing Green Bay 131 to 44 in total yards. Run game has produced 22 yards on four carries, but the Chiefs will need to throw the ball a bit to get back in this game.
Packers 14, Chiefs 7, 10:55 second quarter
It looked like a busted play, but Moore found Travis Kelce for a 29-yard touchdown pass to put the Chiefs on the scoreboard. Kansas City reeled off a 12-play, 89-yard drive to get things going. The passing game has been pretty, but chunk plays to Kelce and Hill jumpstarted the offense on that drive. If Chiefs can claw back in this game, the run game should help them control the tempo and the clock.
Chiefs 14, Packers 14, 6:14 second quarter
The jet sweep shovel pass remains a key weapon in the Kansas City arsenal with Matt Moore at quarterback, and Mecole Hardman just ran it to perfection. Key blocks from Travis Kelce and Demarcus Robinson freed him on the outside, and Hardman races for 30 yards for the score.
Chiefs now have 158 net yards to 132 yards for Green Bay.
CB Bashaud Breeland leaves with injury
Cornerback Bashaud Breeland nearly came up with an interception against Aaron Rodgers midway through the second quarter, but he came with a shoulder injury instead. Breeland landed hard on the ground trying to make the catch. Looks like he may have landed on the ball as well.
Morris Claiborne steps into the lineup with Breeland with Charvarius Ward on the right side and Rashad Fenton in the slot.
Kpassagnon sacks Rodgers on Hail Mary
Aaron Rodgers with 3 seconds on the clock near midfield is dangerous, but the Chiefs didn't let him have a chance. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo brought six rushers, and Tanoh Kpassagnon brought Rodgers down for the sack.
HALFTIME: CHIEFS 17, PACKERS 14
Keys to the second half
1. Keep going after Rodgers
The Chiefs are wary of Rodgers on the run and under pressure, but they have had tremendous success bringing pressure on him from multiple directions in the first half. Kpassagnon has two of the team's three sacks so far, and the Rodgers didn't looked comfortable in the second quarter when the Chiefs held him to 4-of-9 passing for just 25 yards. With running back Aaron Jones injured, the Packers will put this game in the hands of Rodgers.
2. Control the temp
The Chiefs in their losses didn't control the tempo and got away from the run game. Moore had a hot second quarter leading the Chiefs to 17 points, but the Packers often struggle against the run. Including jet sweeps as part of the run game, the Chiefs have dominated the Packers on the ground in the first half.
3. Protect the football
No reason to take too many chances here. The Packers thrive on turnovers and red zone stops. The Chiefs can't give away any free chances in the second half.
Alex Okafor heads to the locker
The Chiefs didn't need any more injuries, particularly along the defensive line. Defensive end Alex Okafor headed to the locker late in the third quarter after trainers took a look at his lower right leg. That leaves the Chiefs with just five defensive linemen: Ogbah, Kpassagnon, Saunders, Nnadi and Pennel.
Chiefs 17, Packers 17, 1:24 third quarter
Ogbah comes up with a huge play on third-and-goal from the 7 to hold the Packers to a field goal. Chiefs pass rush continues showing plenty of bite, that's their fourth sack of the night. KC must continue controlling the tempo and score on this drive.
LeSean McCoy fumbles
Just like that the Chiefs give the Packers a huge gift. On the first play following the Packers' field goal, McCoy puts the ball on the ground and the Packers take over at the Chiefs 27-yard line.
Packers 24, Chiefs 17, 13:57 fourth quarter
Arrowhead Stadium crowds are used to seeing magical throws from Patrick Mahomes, but Rodgers just delivered one of the most ridiculous throws for a touchdown you will ever see. The Packers faced third-and-1 from the 3-yard line and went empty backfield. The Chiefs played great coverage, forcing Rodgers to retreat backwards. He forced the ball to the back of the end zone as Ogbah took him to the ground, and Jamaal Williams pulled it down in the corner of the end zone for the score.
Chiefs 24, Packers 24, 9:01 fourth quarter
The Chiefs gifted the Packers a touchdown, and Green Bay returned the favor. The Packers defense held on a third-and-goal from the 7, but Moore's pass went through the outstretched hands of tight end Travis Kelce. But cornerback Tramon Williams committed a hands to the face penalty jamming Sammy Watkins at the line, giving the Chiefs first-and-goal from the 3. Damien Williams took it in to the end zone on the next play.
Can the Chiefs find a way to contain Rodgers on this next drive? Defense has had plenty of success, but big plays have hurt them in the second half.
Packers 31, Chiefs 24, 8:02 fourth quarter
It took two plays, and another big play, for the Packers to regain the lead. Rodgers connects with Aaron Jones on a bubble screen pass, and the running back weaves through traffic for a 67-yard touchdown. Jones has six catches for 151 yards and two scores, and has been a total mismatch out of the backfield.
Colquitt pins Packers at their own 2-yard line
Andy Reid opted not to go for it on fourth-and-3 from his own 40 with 5:13 left in the game. Dustin Colquitt uncorks a perfect punt, and Rashad Fenton downs the ball at the 2-yard line. That's where the Packers start what could be the decisive drive. Chiefs cannot let Rodgers and Jones beat them again, expect to see a safety shadowing Jones as a receiver here.
FINAL: PACKERS 31, CHIEFS 24
