Packers: Remarkable Aaron Rodgers rolls as injuries mount
By Phil Watson
Aaron Rodgers continues to be unbeatable at Lambeau Field.
Rodgers, the reigning NFL MVP, threw five touchdown passes Monday night to trigger the Green Bay Packers to a 38-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs as the Packers improved to 3-0 on the season.
ALSO ON DAIRYLAND EXPRESS: Best Of The Packers: Top 10 Quarterbacks
Rodgers was 24-for-35 for 333 yards and—as always at Lambeau—no interceptions, tossing three touchdowns to Randall Cobb in a game that was not as close as the score would indicate.
Green Bay led the Chiefs (1-2) 38-14 with 12:10 remaining before Kansas City put up a couple of late scores.
More from Green Bay Packers
- Packers Week 14 Rooting Guide: Best Outcomes for Playoff Odds
- What to Know: Packers reportedly sign RB Kenyan Drake
- Packers Rookie Ladder After Massive Win Over Chiefs
- What to Know: Packers claim CB David Long off waivers
- Packers Week 13 Playoff Update: Green Bay Controls Their Own Destiny
But the injuries continued to mount for the Packers. Wide receiver Davante Adams played after injuring his ankle in last week’s win over the Seattle Seahawks, but left after three snaps when it flared up.
Tight end Andrew Quarless went down with a knee injury after he was hit in the open field by cornerback Marcus Peters. Linebacker Jake Ryan left in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury and defensive end Datone Jones was being evaluated for a concussion after colliding with teammate Joe Thomas while trying to tackle Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith.
Green Bay was already down starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) and safety Morgan Burnett (calf), while backup safety Sean Richardson and cornerback Demetri Goodson were inactive with injuries.
The defensive line will get a boost this week as Letroy Guion is eligible to be reinstated after serving his three-game suspension under the league’s personal conduct policy.
James Jones had a huge night, as well, catching seven passes 139 yards and a touchdown—his first 100-yard receiving game since he had 112 yards on nine receptions for the Oakland Raiders in a game against the Houston Texans last Sept. 14.
His career-high of 178 receiving yards came with the Packers against the Washington Redskins on Sept. 15, 2013.
The Packers took the lead on their second possession of the game, going 69 yards on six plays, capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to rookie receiver Ty Montgomery a little more than five minutes into the game. It was Montgomery’s first NFL touchdown.
The score was set up by a 26-yard pass and run from Rodgers to Eddie Lacy that got the ball into the red zone.
After forcing Kansas City into a three-and-out, the Pack marched 89 yards on 10 plays, capped by a 3-yard score from Rodgers to Cobb, who had seven catches for 91 yards on the night.
The Chiefs made it 14-7 early in the second quarter on a 9-yard run by Jamaal Charles, who had three touchdowns but was otherwise contained to 49 yards on 11 carries.
With 6:15 remaining in the first half, Mason Crosby booted a 44-yard field goal and the Packers made it 24-7 at the half when Rodgers and Jones connected on a 27-yard score with 56 seconds left in the second period.
Rodgers and Cobb made it 31-7 one play after Sam Shields intercepted a pass from Smith deep in Chiefs’ territory, returning it to the Kansas City 4.
Jeremy Maclin caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Smith late in the third quarter—the first touchdown catch by a Chiefs wide receiver since Dwayne Bowe’s TD reception against the Redskins on Dec. 8, 2013.
Rodgers and Cobb connected for a 4-yard score with 12:10 remaining. Charles scored twice in the fourth quarter on runs of 4 and 7 yards.
The Packers used a group effort to rush for 123 yards on the night, with Lacy gaining 46 on 10 carries, James Starks getting 32 on 17 attempts and Alonzo Harris picking up 17 on his two carries.
Live Feed
FanSided
Clay Matthews picked up his first two sacks of the season for the Packers, who got to Smith seven times. Mike Daniels had 1½ sacks, splitting one with Mike Neal, while Jayrone Elliott, Thomas and Nick Perry each got to Smith once.
Smith was 24-for-40 for 290 yards with a touchdown and an interception and also ran for 33 yards on six scrambles.
Maclin finished with 141 yards on eight catches, the first Chiefs wideout with 100 yards or more in a game since Donnie Avery had 141 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 19, 2013.
Charles and tight end Travis Kelce (2) have had 100-yard days in the interim.
The Packers hit the road off a short week Sunday, visiting the San Francisco 49ers (1-2) at 3:25 p.m. Central. The 49ers have lost two in a row—including a 47-7 thumping at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday—since beating the Minnesota Vikings on the opening Monday night of the season.
Next: Top 10 Packers Not In The Pro Football Hall Of Fame