It Wasn’t Just the ‘Aaron and Aaron Show’ for the Packers

Once again, unsung heroes rose to the occasion for the 7-1 Packers.

Aaron Rodgers was Aaron Rodgers with 305 passing yards and a 129.0 passer rating.

Aaron Jones was Aaron Jones with 226 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.

Za’Darius Smith was Za’Darius Smith with two sacks.

Behind stalwart efforts from three of the team’s stars, the Green Bay Packers held off the Kansas City Chiefs 31-24 on Sunday night. But the key contributions ran beyond the team’s A-list players.

On offense, with Davante Adams inactive and Geronimo Allison (one catch, 7 yards) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (one catch, 4 yards) combining for just two receptions for 11 yards, Allen Lazard (five catches for 42 yards) and Jake Kumerow (two catches for 48 yards) made key contributions. Offensive lineman Alex Light came off the bench twice, including the final two series in place of stalwart right tackle. On the first drive, the Packers scored the go-ahead touchdown. On the second, they ran out the final 5-plus minutes.

On defense, backup quarterback Matt Moore gave the Packers fits. But, as has been the case throughout the season, the unit made key plays at big times.

The first key play came early in the third quarter. After Green Bay tied the game at 17, defensive tackle Tyler Lancaster stripped running back LeSean McCoy and pounced on the loose ball. Five plays later, Rodgers threw his remarkable touchdown pass to Jamaal Williams to put Green Bay in front.

“I pretty much knew where the ball was going to go,” Lancaster said. “I shifted heavier into the A Gap so I could knock back the guard. I had the A-gap and I saw the running back was going to cut back into the B gap. I tried to throw off as hard as I could. I figured I wasn’t going to make the tackle so I reached my arm out. I had no idea that I knocked it out but the ball came rolling to my chest and, lo and behold, I got the recovery, as well.”

The second key play came moments after the Packers took a 31-24 lead on Jones’ 67-yard touchdown. On third-and-3, backup defensive back Chandon Sullivan broke up a pass to tight end Travis Kelce. The Chiefs punted and the Packers ran out the clock.

“I’m proud of our team,” Sullivan said. “Obviously, it wasn’t pretty. But it’s the NFL. You’re going to get tested. We’re 7-1 and we’re sitting in a good place. We have to keep it going.”

During the second half, the Packers limited the Chiefs to 105 total yards and Moore to 71 passing yards.

“I think it shows resilience in the defense when our backs are against the wall,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “When things go wrong, we don’t necessarily shut down. When adversity hits, we step up to the plate. Coming out with the ‘W’ feels really good. There’s obviously things to correct, but when our backs are against the wall and we could out with the ‘W’ in the end, you feel really good about that.”