With Aaron Rodgers out with COVID-19, Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 13-7 ending their winning streak of seven games.
This loss was disappointing for Love and the Packers considering that they likely would have won with Aaron Rodgers in the game. Love was clearly shaken up during the game and that was reflected in his post-game press conference.
“I think we started having a better answer for them at the end, but yeah, they were bringing it all-out on defense,” Love said. “They were heating us up.”
Love made his first career start for the Packers, completing 19 of 34 passes for 190 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Love added 23 yards with five carries on the ground. Aaron Jones led the team in rushing with 53 yards on 12 attempts. In a turn of events, Randall Cobb led the team with 50 receiving yards on three catches.
For the defense, Krys Barnes had a season-high nine tackles, and Rashan Gary continued his good season, adding another sack on the year.
For the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes completed 20 passes on 37 attempts for 166 yards and one touchdown. Darrel Williams led the team with 70 rushing yards on 19 carries. Travis Kelce had a team-leading 68 receiving yards on five receptions and one touchdown.
For the Chiefs defense, L’Jarius Sneed collected his first interception of the season and Tyrann Mathieu added a sack.
The game started like normal for the Packers, as the Chiefs took their opening drive down the field for a touchdown on a one-yard pass to Kelce. The Chiefs added to their lead in the second quarter, with two field goals shortly before halftime. Harrison Butker kicking 24-yard and 55-yard field goals.
There was no more scoring until late in the fourth quarter when Love completed a short pass to Allen Lazard, who took the ball 20 yards for a touchdown. However, the Packers failed to score again.
The story for the Packers was their mediocre special teams play. Mason Crosby missed a 40-yard field goal in the first quarter, then he had a 37-yard field goal blocked. In addition, late in the second quarter Malik Taylor tripped and touched a punt that the Chiefs recovered at the 10-yard line.
The Packers’ woes continued on offense. The Chiefs defense blitzed almost every down pressuring Love to miss throws and make some bad rushed decisions. There were multiple times where Love looked uncomfortable in the pocket, forcing inaccurate passes into coverage. Many thought that the Packers would rely on the run game more without Rodgers. However, the Packers ended with 20 rushing plays and 40 passing plays.
Neither of the Packers running backs eclipsed 60 yards, with Jones having 53 and AJ Dillon having 46. Love also showed his inexperience, leaning on top receiver Davante Adams for 14 targets, but only connecting on six passes for 42 yards.
Despite the loss, the Packers had more offensive yards than the Chiefs. They totaled 301 yards compared to the Chiefs 237. A bigger story contributing to the outcome was the Packers trouble converting third downs. They converted on just two third downs in the entire game. The Packers turned the ball over twice, once in their own red zone that led to a Chiefs field goal. The Chiefs never turned the ball over, despite the Packers defense playing well.
Some fans are still supporting Rodgers, despite his recent controversial statements. There were multiple Rodgers’ jerseys in attendance at Arrowhead Stadium. There was also a sign that read, “We stand with Rodgers.” The fans were showing support for the quarterback in a hostile environment.
Again, the Packers didn’t make it through the game without injury. Rookie Cornerback Eric Stokes left the game in the first quarter with a knee injury. Defensive Linemen Kenny Clark was helped off the field with a sore back in the second quarter. Also, Offensive Lineman Jon Runyan left in the second quarter with an illness.
The Packers are now 7-2, tied for second in the NFC and leading the NFC North by 3.5 games. The Packers host the Seattle Seahawks (3-5) next Sunday, who is expecting Russell Wilson back from a finger injury. Rodgers is eligible to return to the Packers Saturday, pending a negative COVID-19 test and could play against the Seahawks, but Rodgers will not be able to practice with the team this week.