The Packers remain atop the NFC North at 7-1 with a 31-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, keeping them in front of the division with a one-game lead over the Minnesota Vikings. Fittingly enough, the Vikings take on the Chiefs themselves next weekend when the Packers travel west to face off against the Los Angeles Chargers. 

Even without Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs gave the Packers all they had for a full 60 minutes. 

“That was a really good football game. Hard fought. We traded a lot of punches,” said Head Coach Matt LaFleur. “I thought both teams were really deserving of that game.”

Another week, another impressive performance from future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. While the Packers are optimistic star wide receiver Davante Adams might find his way back into the lineup next week, plenty of guys have filled in admirably in the passing game in his absence. 

None, however, did more than running back Aaron Jones who had 226 total yards on the night and two receiving touchdowns. Jones tallied 67 yards on the ground with a 5.2 yard average and added a whopping 159 yards through the air on only seven receptions. 

“He is an explosive weapon,” said LaFleur. “You don’t find too many running backs that can go out there and produce like that. He’s dynamic as a runner, as a receiver, as a pass protector. I think he’s a complete back.”

Rodgers was also quick to praise his running back, citing the unique skill set he has and the trust the offense has in him to produce when called upon. 

“I don’t remember a guy running a slant-and-go for a 50-yard gain,” he said. “We’re over there talking on the sidelines about how we want to close that game out on third-and-five, and the consensus was ‘let’s throw it to Jonesey.’ That says a lot about the kind of player he is.”

Rodgers made sure to also give credit to Jones’ backfield complement Jamaal Williams who made a highlight reel touchdown grab in the end zone. 

“It’s a different skill set we’re utilizing with those guys,” Rodgers said of Jones and Williams, “and it’s fun to watch.”

The pair of running backs combined for all four of the team’s touchdowns on the evening, with Jones scoring both of his through the air and Williams splitting his two between the ground game and the receiving game. 

His touchdown reception, however, might be the most impressive play of the season. When asked about that touchdown pass to Williams, Rodgers was all smiles. 

“As I rolled to the right there I saw Jimmy, and I saw somebody wrapping behind him. I was actually throwing a ball that I thought maybe Jimmy could go up and get if he wanted to and if he didn’t, the guy behind him might be able to get,” said Rodgers. 

“Luckily the guy behind him got it,” he finished with a smirk. 

Tight end Jimmy Graham himself was also blown away by the seemingly improbable touchdown reception.

“Unbelievable play,” said Graham of the Rodgers-to-Williams TD. “He has such an ability to create, and to make a throw like that while he’s getting tackled is truly amazing.”

LaFleur thought the ball was simply being thrown away out of the back of the end zone. 

“That was one of the best, if not the best, pass I’ve ever seen live in person. That was incredible. I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “Credit to Jamaal, man. He kept working for him. It was just one of those plays that kind of leaves you speechless.”

Williams himself remained level-headed about the entire thing, despite enjoying the idea that the play would be on highlight reels for years to come.

“That play wouldn’t mean nothing if we would have lost,” he said. “So I’m just grateful that we came with the W, our team happy, we go home and we get ready for next week.”

That sentiment is shared throughout the locker room, with players acknowledging the bonds that keep them motivated to play for one another and do their part once they step on the field. 

“Guys were just doing their 1/11th and it just benefitted us at the end of the night,” said Preston Smith.

Fellow Smith, Za’Darius, had the team’s only two sacks of the night, but both Smiths made sure to give a big shout out to defensive lineman Tyler Lancaster for forcing a fumble and getting the ball back for the offense in a short yardage situation.

No one is fazed by the way the Chiefs played Sunday night, as everyone is well aware of the talent within that Kansas City locker room.  

“This is the NFL. There’s a lot of great teams in this league,” said Preston. “You’re going to face some adversity but you’ve gotta come together and you fight through it, do it together. That’s what we did tonight. We did it as a team.”

“We had moments of adversity, and this team just finds a way to win,” agreed Graham. “We’re just going to keep building.”

This Packers team feels different than it has in recent years, and a lot of that is due to the fact that Green Bay is finding ways to seal close games. That hasn’t been lost on the quarterback. 

“Well, we’re playing a lot better,” Rodgers said of the team already surpassing its 2018 win total through eight games. “Last year we couldn’t win a game on the road. This year we’ve won in Chicago, Dallas, and Kansas City. That’s three pretty tough places to play.”

When asked about his team’s 7-1 record, LaFleur offered just about the same line he does every week. “It feels really good, but again, it’s short-lived in this league so we’ve gotta hit the reset button one more time and get ready for a west coast trip to play the Chargers.”

Even though half the season is already behind them, the Packers understand they still aren’t playing their best football. 

“I think we’ve found a way to win. It hasn’t been the prettiest the entire time. There’s been some pretty moments though,” said Rodgers. 

Those pretty moments occur when the offense and defense are on the same page, understanding what’s needed from both sides to leave with a win. 

“At some point we’re going to need to put it all together,” said Rodgers of the performances on offense and defense. “It’s been complementary football I think. When they’ve needed us to close a game out or score and take the lead again, we’ve done it. When we’ve needed a stop, they’ve gotten big stops for us.”

The Packers will have a great opportunity to keep making progress on both sides of the ball when they play the Chargers on Sunday. Gaining Darnell Savage made a difference in the secondary, and now the hope is that Adams will be able to return and contribute immediately on offense. 

It’s onto L.A for Green Bay’s fourth road game of the season. There are plenty of records to like, including 3-0 in the division and 3-0 on the road, but the most important one to LaFleur remains ending each game 1-0.