Primetime Preview: Packers vs. Chiefs

 

            In a matchup against the first team he ever started against, Jordan Love and the Packers are up for a challenge at home against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.

            This game presents a major opportunity for the Packers as they are striving towards a possible playoff spot after an underwhelming start to the season. This game is by far the hardest on their remaining schedule and a win would elevate their playoff chances dramatically.

            The injury report per usual is stacked with names, but there is some good news. AJ Dillon has no injury designation and is set to lead the backfield since Aaron Jones won’t be active in this game. No other offensive injuries look to be of concern for the Packers. On the defensive side of the ball, the Packers will be getting back Darnell Savage from the IR but will still be without Eric Stokes. There are a few players of concern, however. Jaire Alexander, De’Vondre Campbell, and Rudy Ford all have questionable tags ahead of this game.

Final injury report. Note that AJ Dillon has no injury designation and should be good to go. pic.twitter.com/OPe4pW6BMe

— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) December 1, 2023

            We saw the Packers’ defense perform well with multiple key injuries against the Lions on Thanksgiving so we know this group can perform when undermanned. But I think we all want to see this unit at full strength considering Pat Mahomes and Travis Kelce are on the opposite side of the ball.

            As for the Chiefs, starting linebacker Nick Bolton has been ruled out for this game and Jerrick McKinnon is listed as questionable. Bolton being ruled out is huge for the Packers' offense as he is a key piece to a Chiefs' defense that has performed very well so far this season, only allowing teams 16.5 points per game.

            Prepare for Jordan Love to be leaned on heavily again in this game. With how the passing game has performed recently and with the absence of Aaron Jones, the offense is poised to throw the ball a ton in this matchup. The Chiefs' defense is no joke, Chris Jones is a name that could wreak havoc if the offensive line struggles. In Love’s first matchup against the Chiefs, they didn’t hesitate to send blitz packages all game long and that could be the case again on Sunday night. Putting a ton of pressure on Love and not giving him time in the pocket to make his reads is what should be expected from the Chiefs defensively. The offensive line has a chance to make this game much easier for Love and the offense if they can contain Jones and the Chiefs’ pressure.

I think we all know the Packers’ defense faces a very tall task on Sunday. Patrick Mahomes is the best in the league and already has a hall-of-fame resume this early in his career. Although he hasn’t performed up to the insane standard that he has set for himself, it’s never a gimme when you’re playing a guy like Mahomes.

The Chiefs’ offense is always a threat in whatever game they play in. But what is even more scary is the fact they haven’t played their best offensive football yet this season. Travis Kelce hasn’t performed to his standards and the Chiefs’ receiving core has had problems with drops this season. The Packers’ secondary is going to need to be on their toes all game long, but the true difference makers of this game are going to be the defensive front. Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, and the rest of the pass rushers have a chance to pressure Mahomes and give the secondary a chance to make plays at possible turnovers.

I said it once earlier this season, but I’ll say it again, the Packers have a better receiving core than the Chiefs if you exclude Travis Kelce, he’s in a lane of his own. The emergence of Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks has backed up that take even more and Christian Watson’s most recent performance solidifies it.

The Chiefs should win this game no doubt, the only true odds they are facing is that this game is in Lambeau Field in December. But the Packers’ odds aren’t that crazy if you think about it. We saw the Chiefs drop a game to the Broncos and also lose to the Lions who the Packers did just beat. So, are the Packers just better than the Chiefs? Maybe. Maybe not. But don’t be surprised if Jordan Love and the boys come out firing on all cylinders out of the gate early. 

My ideal scenario for Sunday night? It's simple, Rashan Gary and the defense make Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, and all other bandwagon Chiefs fans cry when  they win on Sunday night.

Real Packer Fans Know🧀