KC Chiefs vs. Green Bay Packers: NFL Week 13 Preview and Predictions
The Kansas City Chiefs are back on the national stage this week, traveling to Lambeau Field for a big-time matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
Despite the host team's record of 5-6, this Green Bay squad shouldn't be taken lightly. Matt LaFleur and company appear to have figured some things out on offense, as Jordan Love continues to show improvement throughout the season. Factor in the home crowd atmosphere and it being essentially a must-win game for the Packers, and there's plenty to play for on that side.
For Kansas City, a win propels them back to the one-seed in the AFC. With the Baltimore Ravens on bye, the Chiefs control their own destiny in the conference and can finally get officially even with a Week 13 victory. Coming off an inspired game against the Las Vegas Raiders, there's at least some reason for optimism that the Chiefs are also finding ways to field a more well-rounded product. This is another opportunity for them to help prove that.
How will Sunday's game unfold? The Arrowhead Report crew makes their predictions.
Joshua Brisco: Jordan Love is a much better quarterback than the last time Steve Spagnuolo made him miserable back in 2021, but the Chiefs' defense has improved as well. In what is now a fairly standard practice for my predictions: I expect the KC D to hold the new-look Packers in check, and my concern comes from the offensive side. Ultimately, I think the Chiefs are better on both sides of the ball, but I'm curious to see if a pass-catcher other than Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice can make a couple of plays, with Rice hopefully building off his first 100-yard game last week against the Raiders.
Prediction: Chiefs 23, Packers 13
Jordan Foote: The Packers deserve some props, as they've managed to climb out of a pretty deep early-season hole and remain in the NFC wild-card race entering Week 13. A loss to a non-conference opponent wouldn't doom their hopes, but dropping to 5-7 may still prove quite detrimental. It could be a reality, too, as the Chiefs' defense is still one of the very best in football and the offense turned in a clean game last week. Even if Kansas City's transmission slips out of playoff mode for stretches in this one, Andy Reid's team should still get the job done en route to a cover of the spread (barely).
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Packers 17
Mark Van Sickle: This could turn into another defensive battle as the Chiefs head to Green Bay to play against the Packers at historic Lambeau Field. Both offenses have had their ups and downs but both defenses have been solid for the majority of the season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Chiefs try and get a lot of pressure via the blitz on Packers QB Jordan Love, and creating a few turnovers could be the difference in this one. This will be Patrick Mahomes’s first trip to the frozen tundra, and I expect an MVP effort in front of a prime-time audience.
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Packers 16
Zack Eisen: The last time the Chiefs faced off against the Packers was Jordan Love’s first career NFL start. Steve Spagnuolo blitzed the poor kid into oblivion, helping Kansas City win. Love is a couple of years removed from that game, but he may still have nightmares about what Spagnuolo did to him that day. I expect the Chiefs to test that early, giving Green Bay different blitz looks to see how their offense responds. For the Chiefs’ offense, it’s about continuing to build off the last three quarters of play. Rashee Rice has emerged as a playmaker, creating yards after the catch, and should be on the field on almost every play.
Prediction: Chiefs 34, Packers 17
Conner Christopherson: I’ve actually been enjoying the Packers' offense recently, and their inspired game against the Lions on Thanksgiving did give me pause about this Sunday night matchup. However, the Chiefs from December on have been nothing short of impeccable with Patrick Mahomes under center. With the encouraging signs on offense last week, it’s hard not to think the Chiefs have figured out some things. As the defense continues to roll, I’m betting on the December Chiefs.
Prediction: Chiefs 27, Packers 17
Marlow Ferguson Jr.: Since 2019, Matt LaFleur and Andy Reid have a combined 31-1 record in the month of December. So, Sunday Night Football offers us a duel of two of the NFL’s absolute best at must-win football games. It’ll mark a shot at redemption for Jordan Love after the Chiefs’ defense offered him his first “welcome to the NFL” moment. Unfortunately for him, Kansas City’s defensive strengths — such as press-man coverage and blitzing — align well with what the Packers’ offense would hope to avoid. Given the weather factor, expectations are tempered for a potential shootout, but it should be an enjoyable, competitive duel between Love, an up-and-comer and Mahomes, the best of the best.
Prediction: Chiefs 26, Packers 18
