Three Reasons to Be Upbeat About the Chiefs vs. Packers on ‘Sunday Night Football’

Can the Green Bay Packers overcome the Super Bowl champions after a strong win against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving? Yes. Here are three reasons why they should be able to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs.

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN — The Green Bay Packers will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night in their greatest measuring stick test of the season in a season that was meant to be about improvement.

The Chiefs are the NFL’s gold standard, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid. They’ve won two Super Bowls, played in another, and advanced to five AFC Championship Games in the last five seasons. Mahomes has the greatest passing rating in NFL history, as well as two NFL MVPs and two Super Bowl MVPs under his belt.

The Chiefs are six-point favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook after playing their finest game of the season. However, the Packers, who have won back-to-back games as underdogs, have reason to hope they can pull off an upset.

In fact, they have three valid arguments.

1. Self-assurance

When the Packers were 2-5 and had lost four straight, it was reasonable to question when they’d win another game. With three wins in their last four games, their confidence is skyrocketing. While not spectacular, the offensive has been improving. While not perfect, the defense has kept opponents out of the end zone.

“I think we’re growing together,” said quarterback Jordan Love. “Everyone understands where we need to go; we’re all on the same page.” The number of missing assignments that we had early on is decreasing. Guys are becoming more at ease with the scheme, understanding our duties, and we’re just going out there and playing, executing the plays, and making plays.

“I think we’re more focused right now on how we’re going to start the game.” I believe it is assisting us in getting out to a quick start, putting up some points early on, and not falling behind.”

The play of the Love-led offense has been the story of the season.

Love ranks fourth in yards per completion (12.3), sixth in yards per attempt (8.0), seventh in passer rating (103.1), seventh in touchdowns (eight), and 17th in completion percentage (65.2) among 28 quarterbacks with at least 30 passing attempts since the start of Week 8. They’ve had at least eight explosive passing plays (16-plus yards) in each of the last four games, the longest streak since Aaron Rodgers was named MVP in 2020.

Going back even farther, the Packers are sixth in the league in terms of explosive plays (12-yard runs, 16-yard passes) since Week 7. They’ve made five or more explosive passes in each of the last six games, the longest streak in Matt LaFleur’s tenure.

However, none of those games came against the Chiefs, a perennial powerhouse with the league’s third-best scoring defense. On the road, however, their opponent’s passer rating is over 25 points lower.

“They are the reigning Super Bowl champions.” They’re coming into our field, Sunday Night Football, Lambeau Field, and they’ll have to go through us,” said guard Jon Runyan. “This year, I think we’re a really good team.” We’re starting to stack things up, and we’re going to put it on display against the defending Super Bowl champs.”

2. Perhaps Not a Mismatch

Joe Barry versus Patrick Mahomes?

That is the mismatch of mismatches, by name. The Packers, on the other hand, rank tenth in points allowed. They’re not particularly good at anything other than keeping opponents out of the end zone, which is crucial. They rank seventh in red zone offense and sixth in goal-to-go scenarios.

The Packers have allowed 24 points or less in seven consecutive games, the NFL’s second-best active string and their longest in-season streak since 2021. Prior to it, they achieved it in nine consecutive games during the Super Bowl season of 2010.

In terms of passing the football, the Chiefs are going through some of the same growing pains as the Packers. Mahomes, at the age of 28, is already a legend, yet the Chiefs rank 11th in the league with 23.3 points per game. Mahomes is ranked tenth in passer rating. He’s thrown nine interceptions, one fewer than Love, and is on pace for a career-high 14.

The Chiefs are going through some of the same growing pains as the Packers when it comes to passing the football. Despite the fact that Mahomes is now a legend at the age of 28, the Chiefs rank 11th in the league with 23.3 points per game. Mahomes has the tenth highest passing rating. He has nine interceptions, one less than Love, and is on pace to set a career high with 14.

“This league is difficult. “It’s week by week,” Barry explained. “I’ve tried to paint the picture that everything on gameday revolves around that four-hour period.” Every minute of every day, Monday through Saturday, for everyone involved: the folks calling the game, the players, and the coaches.

“It’s difficult when things don’t go well during that four-hour block on Sundays, but that’s what the league is, and that’s what makes the NFL so great.” And, certainly, winning a football game is really fulfilling for everyone involved, since winning games in the National Football League is difficult. It’s difficult.”

3. Changeovers

Only in turnovers are the Packers even. Green Bay has forced fewer turnovers than only four other teams (12). However, it is the trend that is important.

Green Bay has won three straight games. Half of its takeaways have come from those three victories. Last week, he had three against Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Meanwhile, following a seven-game streak of at least one turnover, the offense has gone two weeks without committing a turnover.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs have a turnover margin of minus-5. There are only seven teams that are worse. Along with nine interceptions, Mahomes has lost three fumbles for a total of 12 turnovers, despite winning AFC Offensive Player of the Week against the Raiders last week.

“You want to maximize the day and get better and better,” Mahomes said this week to reporters. “At the end of the day, you’re working toward the ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl.” You do it week in and week out, but your mindset should be, “I’m going to do this today to be better for the next day and the next day until the Super Bowl.”

“This week we have a great game, a great challenge, and a great environment against a great football team.” For us, how can we improve today so that we can play that football game and find a method to win it that will lead us to our ultimate goal, which is the Super Bowl?