Green Bay Packers v. Chiefs: 3 Big Things from Jordan Love’s 1st Start
By Paul Bretl
![KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 07: Darrel Williams #31 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by Tyler Lancaster #95 of the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on November 07, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 07: Darrel Williams #31 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by Tyler Lancaster #95 of the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on November 07, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/27b6eca34d7bf527d31bd5ed145dcc58bf6d814a9b8915cc94bbb89565145b28.jpg)
Green Bay Packers defense came to play
I mean, what a performance from the defensive side of the ball. They were the sole reason that the Green Bay Packers still had a chance at the end of the game.
I know this Kansas City offense is not firing on all cylinders this season, but they still entered the game averaging over 26 points per game, which was the ninth-most in football. Patrick Mahomes was top-5 in passing yards and touchdowns, while Tyreek Hill was fifth among receivers in yards, and Travis Kelce was first among tight ends. But outside of the first drive, the Green Bay Packers shut them down.
Mahomes would complete just 54 percent of his 37 passes for 166 yards, along with only 4.5 yards per attempt. The Kansas City run game averaged only 3.1 yards per rush, and for the most part, Kelce and Hill were held in check. The Chiefs were also only 6/16 on third and fourth down opportunities, and the Packer defense allowed only two red-zone visits with just one touchdown.
De’Vondre Campbell, Krys Barnes, and Oren Burks were exceptional at linebacker while Kevin King, Rasul Douglas, and Chandon Sullivan held up well in coverage, with Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage limiting the big-play on the back-end.
Overall, this defense was playing very fast against, flying around the field to wherever the ball was and did so against a high-powered offense.
"“That was a championship-level effort, championship-level execution,” LaFleur said of the defense via Packers.com. “I was really proud of those guys.”"
I can understand if you’ve watched this Green Bay defense this season with guarded optimism, but after allowing 34 combined points the last two games against Arizona and Kansas City, I think it’s safe to say that this unit is legit. Not to mention that they have been without Jaire Alexander and Za’Darius Smith while Kenny Clark missed the second half in Kansas City.