Good morning, everyone. On Sunday night, the Green Bay Packers will take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. I am here to give you my thoughts on what the Packers need to do to win on Sunday night. Let’s get started.
In my opinion, the key for the Packers on offense is to get to a fast start. Going down the field for a touchdown on their first drive can help quiet down the crowd at Arrowhead Stadium. So far, the Chiefs defense has allowed nearly 150 rushing yards per game. With the injuries that the Chiefs have on their defensive front (including Frank Clark with a neck injury), I think that the duo of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams will run all over the defense. It’s up to the offensive line to create the running lanes for the backs to go through. Running the ball well can help set up the play-action passing attack for the Packers. With Davante Adams likely out again, it‘s up to guys like Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Kumerow, Geronimo Allison and Allen Lazard to catch every pass that is thrown by QB Aaron Rodgers. I am sure that the running backs and tight ends will be used in the passing game as well. This will help Rodgers by spreading the ball around, which has been the case in the three-game winning streak. As always, the offensive line needs to continue protecting Rodgers from any sacks and pressures. It’s always important for the Packers to convert third downs (especially short ones) to sustain long drives and keep the Chiefs offense on the sidelines. In the red zone, Green Bay needs to score touchdowns instead of settling for field goals to keep the pressure on Kansas City to answer back. The Packers also need to avoid turning the ball over in order to keep drives alive. Aaron Rodgers needs to throw the ball accurately (which he does extremely well), and the ball carriers can’t fumble the football. Doing all of these things on offense will help the Packers win on Sunday night.
In my opinion, the key for the Packers on defense is to make the Chiefs offense one-dimensional. They can do this by shutting down the rushing attack of the Chiefs, which is led by LeSean McCoy and Damien Williams. If the Packers can do this, then they can get after the quarterback. With Patrick Mahomes out due to a knee injury, Matt Moore is starting for the Chiefs on Sunday night. What also helps the defensive front is that Eric Fisher is out for Kansas City. After getting no sacks last week, I think that the Packers will get a few sacks of Matt Moore. Even if they don’t get the sack every time, pressuring Matt Moore into forcing bad throws will help the Packers get a few turnovers in this game (including interceptions and strip-sacks). There are a number of offensive weapons that the Packers defense needs to look out for, including Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins. The good news is that Darnell Savage is likely to be back for the Packers on Sunday night. It‘s up to him, Jaire Alexander, Kevin King, and the rest of the defensive backs to cover the receivers very well. I think that Jaire Alexander will match up with Tyreek Hill for most, if not all, of the night. If that’s the case, then Alexander can’t be beat too many times by Hill. Travis Kelce needs to be kept in check as well, considering that Darren Waller had over 100 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns for the Raiders last week. It‘s important for the defense to keep the Chiefs offense from converting third downs to help Green Bay to win the time of possession battle. In the red zone, they need to force Kansas City to settle for field goals. Doing these things on defense will help the Packers win the game on Sunday night.
I think that the Packers need to perform very well on Special Teams to win this game. Field position will be an important factor on Sunday night. It‘s on JK Scott to flip the field with all of his punts, whenever he is called upon. When the Packers are on the receiving end for kickoffs and punts, the returners (including Darrius Shepherd) need to make smart decisions with the football. If there is not a chance for a long return, whoever is receiving the punts and kickoffs needs to hold on to the ball and not turn it over. Kickoff returns for the Chiefs need to be covered well. Any big returns for Kansas City can give them momentum in this game. Mason Crosby needs to make all of his field goals and extra points. As always, it’s up to Hunter Bradley to snap the ball very well. As long as the Packers do these things on Special Teams, they will be fine in this game.
If the Packers do all of these things on Sunday night, then they will win and improve to 7-1 at the halfway point of the season. I am a bit bummed about Mahomes not playing on Sunday, but I think the Chiefs are being smart with their decision on keeping him out. Even with that, the Packers need to execute at the highest level to win at Arrowhead Stadium. Regardless of the outcome, I will be back with my post-game thoughts on Monday morning. Have a great day, everyone. Go Pack Go!
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