With 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love starting for Covid-stricken three-time NFL MVP QB Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers managed just nine points losing by six, 13-7 in Kansas City Sunday afternoon. Love, the Packers, and their fan base got a glimpse into what a post-Rodgers world could look like as Love completed just 55.9% of his passes for 190 yards with 1 TD and 1 int. “Obviously not good enough,” Love said post-game of his performance, “I started off a little slow personally. We got into a bit of a rhythm later, but it was just too late,” Love added. He is now 0-1 as a starter in his NFL career.
The Chiefs’ defense blitzed Love repeatedly in the 2nd half and often used single-high safety coverage, and Love, the Packers offense, and Head Coach Matt LaFleur had few answers and scored just one TD in the 4th quarter. “This one falls on me. Squarely,” said LaFleur in his post-game presser, outwardly accepting the responsibility of the poor play by his offense and by his QB Love. Speaking specifically of the consistent blitz packages the Chiefs threw at Love, LaFleur said, “To be able to protect [the QB]…against zero pressure, if you don’t make a team pay, they are gonna keep running it.”
Not-so-Special Teams
Packers’ Kicker Mason Crosby missed a 40-yard field goal in the first quarter and the Chiefs blocked another of his tries in the 2nd quarter as Green Bay continues to struggle with its special teams’ play this season. The woes weren’t just confined to the kicking game for Green Bay. After stopping the Chiefs on a 3rd and 1, the Packers punt return team botched a punt as Malik Taylor kicked the ball following Amari Rodgers’ fair catch signal. The Chiefs recovered the fumble at the Packers’ 10 yd-line and, four plays later Kansas City kicked a field goal. The three Packers’ special teams’ errors in the half cost them 9 points in the 6 point loss.
The Silver Lining
As of today, the Packers have the fifth-ranked defense in the NFL in terms of yards allowed. The defense has been the Pack’s Achilles heel in each of their playoff losses while Rodgers has been QB. And, holding the Chiefs’ high-powered offense and superstar MVP QB Patrick Mahomes to one TD pass, 160 passing yards, and a 74.8 QB rating, the D play is a positive for Green Bay. The Packers gave up zero points in the second half yesterday and held the Chiefs to only 77 rushing yards on 25 carries. “I thought that was a championship-level effort,” said LaFleur after the game. In the off-season, the Packers hired Joe Barry as D coordinator and he promised more “energy” from the defense this season. Although in a losing effort, the rising play of his defense points to Barry delivering on that promise.
The Feelings:
The Packers’ 7 game win-streak ended yesterday, and so too did the Pack’s short-held position as the top-seeded team in the NFC playoff picture. Packers fans are surely going through a range of emotions and feelings. Sadness – for the loss at K.C. Frustration – of the missed opportunity, ‘we were so close!’. Hope – as Rodgers is expected to be available for next week’s home game vs Seattle. Excitement – for the season as, if the D can play this way, then the Super Bowl is the limit. Dread – of a post-Aaron Rodgers Packer future. Which are you? Let us know in the comments.
The Facts:
Packers 7 Chiefs 13
Turnovers: 2/0
Sacks: 1/6 vs 1/11
3rd&4th DN: 4/15 vs 6/16
Rushing: 25/122 vs 25/77
Passing: 19/34 for 179 vs 20/37 for 160
Penalties: 4/19 vs 6/33
The Packers next play Sunday, at home vs Seattle.
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