Packers Periscope: Week 8 vs Kansas City Chiefs

Last week, Aaron Rodgers wasn’t an elite quarterback, this week he is at the forefront of the MVP race. That tends to happen after a six-touchdown, 400-yard performance. Hello, and thank you for reading another edition of Packers Periscope.

Week eight was slated to be the Mahomes-Rodgers bowl, one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the season. Unfortunately, it appears we will be robbed of this great duel with Patrick Mahomes only a week removed from a dislocated kneecap. Somehow Mahomes returned to practice this week, but the team will not disclose whether he will play. All signs point toward no unless Kansas City is willing to risk their best player in a regular-season game in October. Still, anything can happen.

The Chiefs lead the all-time series against the Packers 7-4-1, but Green Bay has come out on top in two of the last three. Most recently, these teams met each other in 2015 and the Packers won in a shootout 38-28. Rodgers accumulated five touchdowns, 333 yards, and a 138.5 pass rating. Green Bay also won the time of possession battle by seven minutes.

Kansas City ranks 28th in time of possession this year so a lending factor will be keeping the defense on the field. Their struggles largely come from the inability to get stops on third down and putting up very little resistance towards stopping the run. Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are probably licking their chops as they prepare for the 29th overall run defense.

On offense, the Chiefs aren’t short of talent even without Mahomes. If Sammy Watkins returns, he joins a deep group of Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Mecole Hardman. Plus, head coach Andy Reid is still a great coach no matter who his quarterback is. Last Thursday against Denver, Matt Moore finished off a 30 to 6 win.

This could be a difficult night for the Green Bay defense. The Chiefs have a strong backfield to complement their weapons on the perimeter. So far, turnovers, sacks, and red zone defense have been the Packers saving grace because they can’t seem to stop anybody from picking up yards.

On the other side of the things, Matt LaFleur’s offense appears to be firing on all cylinders at just the right time. More players are stepping up in the absence of Davante Adams, and the run game is well-established. There’s even a chance Adams returns this week after sitting the last three outings.

This should be another fun game in primetime when Green Bay travels to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night.  

 

 

 

Brandon Carwile is a Packers writer who also enjoys watching and breaking down film. Follow him on Twitter @PackerScribe.

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Comments (17)

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Lare's picture

October 25, 2019 at 01:25 pm

Mahomes is officially ruled out for Sunday's game.

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dobber's picture

October 25, 2019 at 04:57 pm

KC is missing 5 starters, which includes Mahomes...DE Frank Clark, DT Chris Jones, CB Kendall Fuller, and LT Eric Fisher. That's a pretty significant set of injured starters.

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splitpea1's picture

October 25, 2019 at 08:33 pm

Sounds like we'll be on easy street! Only problem is Andy Reid is coming off a bye and he'll probably throw everything and the kitchen sink at our defense. Still, we need to take advantage of this opportunity and return from the sea of red with a win.

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Lphill's picture

October 25, 2019 at 04:16 pm

I think we see a lot of trickery early on , flee flickers , reverses , fake punt whatever it takes to build a lead. They don’t want Rodgers getting in a groove like last week .

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dobber's picture

October 25, 2019 at 04:59 pm

KC runs a lot of that stuff, anyway. A very "collegiate" offense. They do a good job of getting their skill position guys the ball in space and letting them create. The question is whether Matt Moore is good enough to make it work.

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Since'61's picture

October 25, 2019 at 04:22 pm

Our defense has played very well on the road except for about the last 20 minutes of the Dallas game. Until the we allowed 3 points to the Bears and only 3 points to Dallas until the last few minutes of the 3rd quarter. If our defense can continue to play solidly on the road and we play with a lead we should be able to leave KC with a win.

I am concerned about KCs speed on offense but if we can pressure Matt Moore we should be able to generate a few TOs. Most importantly we need to control the LOS on both sides of the ball. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

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cheesehead1's picture

October 25, 2019 at 04:53 pm

I’m concerned about our special teams’ coverage and our own returns. Hopefully Savage (if he plays) can tighten things up to limit the explosive plays. Even with no Mahomes and many other Chiefs injuries, this will be a very tough test. And finally, Rashan Gary needs to start having an impact. Go Pack and get another road win!

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Lare's picture

October 25, 2019 at 04:59 pm

No Adams again this week. No problem, the offense seems to be doing fine without him.

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dblbogey's picture

October 25, 2019 at 05:03 pm

Fortunately for Green Bay, KC is dealing with a lot of injuries, especially on defense, besides missing Mahomes. It's a game we should win, although Arrowhead is always tough.

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ThxJackVainisi's picture

October 25, 2019 at 05:28 pm

Looks like an example of 'it's not who you play but when you play em'.

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PAPackerbacker's picture

October 25, 2019 at 08:57 pm

Never, ever, underestimate an opponent. KC has many weapons and will use them to try and control the clock and keep the Packers offense off the field as much as possible. Just because Mahomes is out doesn't mean the Chiefs can't spread the wealth as the Packers have done without their #1 receiver on the field. I look for a Packer win, but it will be a hard fought battle. Would be nice to see the Packers special teams step up and do some magic in this one. Go! Pack! Go!

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ALLGASNOBRAKES's picture

October 26, 2019 at 02:52 am

Andy Ried has had 10 days to get Matt Moore and his offense ready to play the Packers, 6 days to devise ways to get Travis Kelse running through the Packers defense. Not only will the Packers red-zone defense need to be tight, but the Packers HAVE to keep the "Explosive Plays" to a minimum. Hill, Hardman, Watkins, and even Williams the RB have TONS of speed which as a group the Packers haven't seen yet. Keep em between the 20's and the missed tackles to a minimum and they'll be fine.

One last thing is Mahomes makes so many plays for points with his ability to make a throw at an impossible angle with his throwing arm. That's a HUGE part of the offense that will be missing without Mahomes.

The Packers offense shouldn't have any issues moving the ball and scoring points...No Chris Jones OR Frank Clark?

No Problem...Packers 38-23.

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PatrickGB's picture

October 26, 2019 at 09:29 am

I think that KC missing Clark is huge. He is a great pass rusher. If he is out then Rodgers will have more time in the pocket. The question is, will this team be able to complete as many passes as they did against the Raiders? I would not be surprised if there is a let down. The crowd noise will hinder communication. And as others have noted special teams will be key and we need to be able to run the ball well and often. We need to score early and keep the crowd out of the game. The Smith brothers need to keep up the pressure on a less mobile quarterback. And keep Hill from running amok.

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GVPacker's picture

October 26, 2019 at 11:10 am

If the Packers are the" Real Deal" this is a must win for them. The Chiefs are without their Top Banana NFL MVP Pat Mahomes.No excuse or reason to drop this game to a backup QB! Yep this is a road game and it's a tuff venue against a good experienced coach but this game should be well within the Packers grasp! This is a good time for Mike Pettine's boys to pad their stats with Sacks and Picks Go Pack Go!

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Travis72's picture

October 27, 2019 at 07:32 am

Pack should win by a touchdown. My only concern is our defense stopping the run and TE. I’m hoping Burks has a break out game. GO PACK!

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Aplinal's picture

October 27, 2019 at 12:02 pm

This will be a tough game but winnable. the only issue I have is how the refs will "play". I don't know which crew is managing this game, but one or two daft calls could be our undoing.

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ALexHWilliamson21's picture

October 27, 2019 at 01:10 pm

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