KC Chiefs and Green Bay Packers Setting up for Pivotal Matchup
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to take on the Green Bay Packers for an interconference matchup on Sunday Night Football. The last time these two teams played was on November 7, 2021, and quarterback Jordan Love was making his first career NFL start. The Packers' starting quarterback at the time, Aaron Rodgers, was out that game due to testing positive for COVID-19. Love was 19 of 34 passing on the day for 190 yards including one touchdown and one interception. The Chiefs ended up winning that game 13-7. Could we see another defensive battle on Sunday?
The Chiefs' defense continues to be a major storyline this season. One of the strongest units in the league this season, the defense is third in the league in points per game. They are only giving up an average of 16.5 points; only the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens have been better. There have only been three times when the Chiefs' defense has given up over 20 points, and they lost all three of those games.
On the flip side, the Chiefs' offense has not been scoring at a record pace like it did last year. Kansas City has only scored over 24 points four times this season and is averaging 23.3 points per game. When the Chiefs hit that bar this season, it is almost a guarantee they will win. It all comes back to taking care of the ball and winning the turnover battle.
Going into a road environment like Lambeau Field will be an interesting challenge for the Chiefs. Lambeau, like Arrowhead Stadium, is one of the classic arenas in the NFL. While their fans aren’t as loud as what you’d hear in Kansas City, they are still a passionate fan base that will turn up for a game like this. There’s also a chance you’ll see a decent amount of red sprinkled throughout the stadium, as this is one of the rare times Chiefs fans will have a chance to visit Lambeau to see their team play.
This will be quarterback Patrick Mahomes’s first time playing at Lambeau Field. As we’ve seen in the past, when the Sunday Night Football lights are on, Mahomes shines bright on the big stage. There shouldn’t be any lesser expectations for him this week when he gets a chance to play in this classic venue.
The Packers have been playing better football lately, winning three of their last four games. Love and the Packers are trying to fight their way back into the NFC wild-card picture. Currently sitting at 5-6, the Packers are positioned in the eighth spot and would need to surpass the Vikings who are currently 6-6. The Packers' defense has only allowed more than 24 points twice this season, so Mahomes and the offense will be tested.
Wide receiver Rashee Rice should continue to see an expanded workload after an impressive eight-catch, 107-yard effort against the Raiders in last week’s 31-17 win in Las Vegas. The Chiefs have longed for another big play threat outside of tight end Travis Kelce since the beginning of the season. Rice has only been held under 29 yards receiving twice this season and has been a steady hand when given the opportunity. Getting more snaps is the key and it looks like last week’s breakout game could give him even more trust from the coaching staff. Rice has 527 receiving yards and five touchdowns so far this season.
Isaiah Pacheco continues to be a force at the running back position and the Chiefs should continue to lean on him when necessary. He can get the tough one or two yards in short-yardage situations, as well as breaking off a big play here and there. He is also a ball of energy and the team feeds off that. Travis Kelce said as much in the most recent episode of the New Heights podcast.
The Chiefs control their destiny if they win out the rest of the regular season. Right now they are 8-3 and in the second spot in the AFC but the Ravens, who are first at 9-3, have a bye this week. If the Chiefs and Ravens both win out, the Chiefs would have the tie-breaker due to a better conference record. It all starts on Sunday night if the Chiefs can get a win over those pesky Packers.
