Intriguing Game– NFL, Week Nine
Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs
Packers: Last Thursday was as tough of a win as they come. They enter a huge game with the Arizona Cardinals without Davante Adams, Allen Lazard or Marquez Valdes-Scantling and those are their top three wide receivers. Of course, the odds were all stacked against them. How would Aaron Rodgers do without those weapons he depends on? The Packers changed up their identity offensively. Let’s face it, you can’t run the same offense with a new set of receivers as you would with the three, I listed up top. They depended heavily on the running game, and I loved every second of it. When they want, they can establish that ground game consistently. They didn’t need Aaron to take the game over with his arm. He was game managing in a way. I was also impressed with their defense because they did a great job of keeping Kyler Murray in front of them. They never allowed him to dictate the game with his feet. That’s seven straight wins for Green Bay. So much for the problems they were having, right? They’re gelling once again. In a stacked NFC, they’re in the middle of a tight race. They’ll face an up and down team in Kansas City on Sunday without their quarterback as he tested positive for COVID.
Chiefs: It’s been tough to watch them this year compared to 2018, 2019 and even last season if I’m being honest. Even though they escaped with the win over the New York Giants on Monday night, I left that game with concerns because let’s just admit it, this isn’t the football team that puts fear into anybody anymore. When I watch them now, they play with a sense of desperation and don’t adjust to what defenses are giving them. Patrick Mahomes is still turning the ball over left and right which has surprised me, and the offense isn’t as powerful as it once was. I’m used to the Chiefs being able to line up and beat people and at this moment, they can no longer do that. There’s no confidence with them. In their last two games, they have scored a combined 23 points. They were embarrassed at the hands of the Tennessee Titans, and they should’ve beat the Giants by double digits at least. The biggest concern is their defense. They can’t do much of anything. They struggle to get off the field, can’t stop the run nor can they cover and when they struggle, they admit defeat and give up which is an awful look. Body language says everything. They’re back home this Sunday for their first taste of November football. Andy Reid teams normally come out strong in the second half of the season. This could be what they need.
Packers X-Factor: A.J. Dillon– He brings their offense a physical element. A.J. is a downhill runner that can power himself in between the tackles. I like how Matt LaFleur is trying to get him the football more. When people try to tackle him, he has the strength to power himself up and keep pushing along. They have a nice tandem in Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon in the backfield. Using the running game can throw defenses off because they always come out to defend the pass.
Chiefs X-Factor: Tyrann Mathieu– On a defense that’s been struggling, he might be the only shining point. He’s that jack of all trades guy that can play in the box, come in on a blitz, drop back in coverage and even pick up one of your best targets on offense. He will need to be big time in this one against an offense that can do multiple things to move the football down the field. If you don’t circle in on Tyrann, he will wreck your offensive game-plan.
Final Thoughts: This was supposed to be the first meeting between Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. Sadly, Aaron tested positive for COVID-19 as I mentioned up top. The Packers are playing with so much confidence right now and most importantly, they’re having fun. Aaron has picked up where he left off from his MVP season in 2020; his offensive weapons are stepping up and the defense is doing just enough to keep the team in games. Kansas City has yet to find that model of consistency this year. Of course, for Green Bay, it starts with limiting Tyreek Hill. Anybody else on this offense but number ten can get their touches. I see Green Bay doubling him or even playing that cover two look. I could also say the same about Kansas City and their approach with Davante Adams. I’ve seen too many teams just play him in one on one. Double him! There’s still a football game that must go on.
Prediction: Chiefs 30, Packers 20
