Kansas City Chiefs: Getting to know Green Bay Packers before Week 8

On Sunday Night Football in Week 8, the 5-2 Kansas City Chiefs will host the 6-1 Green Bay Packers. The Chiefs will likely be doing so without starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

In fact, it would be very odd, and slightly concerning, to see the Kansas City Chiefs put Patrick Mahomes out there just ten days after dislocating his right kneecap. More likely, the reigns will be handed to Matt Moore, who played well in his relief of Mahomes against the Denver Broncos, a game the Chiefs easily won, 30-6.

Sunday night’s game proves to be different.

The Packers, behind a revamped defense and the ever-so-dangerous Aaron Rodgers, lead a packed NFC North and are the only team playing well under a new head coach. The team looks much improved under Matt LaFleur compared to the final years of Mike McCarthy.

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Getting to know the Packers better, I reached out to Paul Bretl, the site expert over at Dairyland Express, FanSided’s local site for all Wisconsin teams, from the Packers and Badgers to the Bucks and Brewers.

Here are five questions-and-answers between me and Paul:

Question 1: Who’s been the biggest addition to Green Bay’s defensive unit, and why?

Bretl: Over the offseason, Packers’ GM Brian Gutekunst overhauled this defense and each new player has made an impact, so I’m going to cheat a little and pick two players. Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. Green Bay put up decent sack numbers as a team last year but that was more so because of DC Mike Pettine scheming up blitzes rather than the pass-rush consistently getting to the quarterback.

The Smith Brothers have been monsters coming off of the edge. Through seven weeks they’ve combined for 13 sacks and 66 total pressures. For some context, Nick Perry and Clay Matthews–who are no longer on the team–had 43 combined pressures all of 2018.

The duo has come up with some timely sacks and forced some errant throws that have led to turnovers. With the Smiths getting after the quarterback and averaging nearly 2 sacks per game, it makes the jobs of everyone else much easier. Not to mention that they have already become the vocal leaders on this defense both on and off the field. To put it simply, they’ve been worth every penny.

Question 2: Against the Raiders, without Davante Adams for the third straight week, Aaron Rodgers completed at least two passes to eight different teammates. What can Chiefs fans expect from this passing attack Sunday night?

Bretl: As of now we don’t know Davante Adams’ status but he was warming up with the team during Wednesday’s practice, which is something that hasn’t happened up to this point yet. If he’s on the field he will likely get his fare share of targets. Before his injury against Philadelphia, Adams had 10 catches on 15 targets for 180 yards. However, the Matt LaFleur offense is predicated on using backs and tight ends in the passing game, so I would still expect a majority of them to get a pass-catching opportunity or two, it just may not be as heavy as when Adams was out.

Now if Adams can’t go, I am expecting much of the same as we saw against Oakland with Aaron Rodgers spreading the ball around to his receivers, tight ends and running backs. With that said, Green Bay has done a very good job of taking advantage of their opponents’ weakness. Last week in Oakland it was the secondary, so we saw a lot of passing. While this week – even if Adams is back – I’m expecting a heavy dose of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams in the running game.

Question 3: In light of Kansas City’s best defensive performance in years against the Broncos, how do you see Green Bay’s offense attacking the Chiefs defense?

Bretl: As I just alluded to, I could see this game being similar to the Packers’ matchup with Dallas, meaning they’ll really focus on getting Jones and Williams the ball. The Chiefs give up 148.9 rushing yards per game this season, which is the fourth most in the NFL, and if the Packers can exploit that weakness, it is going to open up the passing game as well. Some of Green Bay’s biggest plays this season have been off of play-action, so if they can get the running game going early, they will set themselves up to take advantage of Kansas City through the air as well.

Question 4: Give Chiefs fans one under-the-radar Packer to watch out for on Sunday night. Why is he worthy to keep an eye on?

Bretl: In the absence of Davante Adams, undrafted second-year receiver Allen Lazard has stepped up in a big way. Lazard signed with Jacksonville last season but sat on their practice squad until the Packers stole him away in December. Lazard had a fine training camp and preseason but I doubt many expected this kind of production from him.

In the fourth quarter against Detroit, Lazard caught four of five passes for 65 yards and a huge touchdown reception. Then against Oakland he caught three of four passes for 42 yards. Rodgers has had nothing but good things to say about Lazard and he clearly trusts him (which is vital towards any receivers’ success in Green Bay). He’s a big, physical receiver and I’m expecting him to get more targets as the season progresses.

Question 5: With Matt Moore in as the Chiefs quarterback for the injured Patrick Mahomes, do you see the Packers defense having much trouble Sunday night?

Bretl: Even with Matt Moore at quarterback, I am very concerned about Travis Kelce. The big, athletic tight end has given this Packers’ defense issues this season. Zach Ertz of the Eagles caught seven of eight passes for 65 yards and just last week, Darren Waller of Oakland caught seven of eight passes for 126 yards with two touchdowns.

Rookie safety Darnell Savage has been out the last few weeks and Green Bay misses him dearly. The good news is that he was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice and having him back will go a long ways. The key for Green Bay will be getting an early lead, slowing down the run, forcing Moore to throw the ball and putting pressure on him. But even if they do that I won’t be shocked in Kelce has a big play or two.

Thanks again to Paul for taking the time to answer my questions and be sure to check out Dairyland Express, especially ahead of this match-up!