Kansas City Chiefs Rewatch: 2011 Week 15 vs Packers

In week 15 of the 2011 season, the Kansas City Chiefs headed into their first game with Romeo Crennel as their head coach. It came against the undefeated Green Bay Packers.

The 2011 season was a bizarre one for the Kansas City Chiefs. They started the season 0-3, then won four games in a row to sit at 4-3. From there, they lost the next four games, won a game, and then were blown out by the Jets.

After that loss to the Jets, the Chiefs front office had seen enough. Todd Haley was relieved of his head coaching duties and Romeo Crennel was named interim head coach with just three games to go in the 2011 season and the Chiefs’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread.

The first game of the Crennel era seemed like an automatic loss, as the Chiefs were going up against the undefeated Green Bay Packers. Buckle up Chiefs Kingdom! This is going to be a fun rewatch!

Kansas City Chiefs Rewatch: Week 15 vs Packers – December 18th, 2011

Coming into this game, the Packers hadn’t lost since December 19th, 2010. They were the reigning Super Bowl champions and were dominating the NFL in the 2011 season. It seemed all too likely that they’d roll into Arrowhead Stadium and walk away with yet another W on their resumé.

It was even easier to assume this because of how inconsistent the Chiefs had been throughout the season. One week they were great, the next they were getting blown out and their head coach was fired.

Kyle Orton made his first start in this game and he was acquired after Matt Cassel had been injured several weeks prior. Tyler Palko proved he wasn’t the answer, so it was Kyle Orton time for the Chiefs!

More from Kansas City Chiefs

• How to Bet on the Chiefs vs. Cardinals in NFL Preseason Week 2
• The 3 Most Intriguing Games on the Chiefs’ Schedule
• DraftKings + FanDuel Kansas Promos: INSTANT $150 Bonus Plus Two Chances to Win!
• Fan-Favorite Locks Up Chiefs Roster Spot With Stellar Preseason Performance
• DraftKings NFL Kansas Promo: Bet $5 on Chiefs vs. Saints, Win $150 Bonus!

In shocking fashion, the Chiefs defense held the explosive Packers offense scoreless in the first half while putting up six points of their own. It was a 6-0 Chiefs lead heading into the locker room at the half, but very few people actually felt confident that the Chiefs would hold onto and win this game. There were two more quarters to be played and the Packers were 13-0 for a reason.

Green Bay scored about halfway through the third quarter on a two-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Donald Driver. That gave the Packers their first lead of the afternoon and many figured “Oh boy, here they come.”

Ryan Succop kicked two more field goals to make it 12-7 with 11:28 remaining in regulation. After the teams traded punts for the next few possessions, the Chiefs struck next on a one-yard touchdown run by Jackie Battle, making it 19-7.

Fans in the stands were going nuts, but could the Chiefs hang on? There was just under five minutes remaining in the game and the Packers were on the other sideline. If anyone could come back and walk out of Arrowhead with a win, it was the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Rodgers led a touchdown drive in the next two minutes and took the football into the end zone himself on an eight yard run. That trimmed the Chiefs’ lead to 19-14 and obviously an onside kick was to follow.

The Chiefs recovered the onside kick and after some clutch first down runs by both Battle and Thomas Jones, the Packers were unable to stop the clock. That allowed the Kansas City Chiefs to bleed the clock and hand the previously undefeated Packers their first loss of the year.

Key Stats

• Kyle Orton – 23/31, 299 yards
• Jackie Battle – 10 carries, 37 yards, TD
• Steve Breaston – 4 receptions, 50 yards
• Tamba Hali – 3 sacks
• Aaron Rodgers – 17/35, 235 yards, TD; 3 rushes, 32 yards, TD
• Ryan Grant – 12 carries, 66 yards
• Randall Cobb – 4 receptions, 53 yards
• Donald Driver – 2 receptions, 7 yards, TD

The Chiefs defense was incredible this game. They were hitting Rodgers all afternoon, sacking him four times and hitting him another six times. He only completed 17 passes and was outdone by Kyle Orton.

As mentioned above, the Packers hadn’t lost a game since December 19th, 2010, which was nearly a year from when this game took place. Green Bay finished the year with a 15-1 record with their one loss coming to Kansas City. They were knocked out of the playoffs in the NFC Divisional Round by the New York Giants,  who went on to win the Super Bowl.

The Chiefs moved to 6-8 with the win and were still in the hunt for a playoff spot due to the weak AFC West. If they won out, they’d be able to sneak into the postseason. Would that happen? Stay  tuned.