3 Matchups to watch in Packers Vs Chiefs
This Sunday night, the 8-3 Kansas City Chiefs head to Lambeau field to take on the 5-6 Green Bay Packers. Heading into this game, each team has a lot to play for. The Chiefs need the victory to keep pace for the first-round bye in the AFC. Whereas a win for the Packers would continue the momentum, they have gained the past couple of weeks and it would help cement them as real contenders for a wild card spot. In either case, these teams need to gameplan for these key matchups.
Travis Kelce Vs Packers secondary
Photo Credit: Kansas City Chiefs
Heading into this matchup, the Packers’ number one priority has to be stopping Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce is Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' favorite target, having 88 total targets on the season. Kelce only has one game this season with under five targets against the Miami Dolphins.
That’s not good for a Packer team that enters this game with a depleted secondary. Currently, star cornerback Jaire Alexander is questionable, cornerback Erick Stokes is doubtful, safety Darnell Savage is questionable and safety Rudy Ford is questionable. If none of these four play, then slowing down Kelce may be nearly impossible. However, if a few of them do, then slowing down Kelec is a possibility.
AJ Dillon vs Chiefs run Defense
Photo Credit: Green Bay Packers
For the second week in a row, the Packers are set to start running back AJ Dillon since Aaron Jones is out with an injury. Although Dillion only rushed for 43 yards last week in the win against Detroit, he sets the tempo with his hard running style. Dillons' rushing style may cause problems against a Chiefs defense that allows 4.6 yards per carry a game. If Dillon gets going early, he could wear down the Chiefs' defense and make passing the ball easier for the Packers' offense. If the Chiefs want to slow Dillion down, they will need sound tackling technique and swarming group tackles. Without that they will have a tough time stopping him.
Chiefs Pass rush vs Packers offensive line
Photo Credit: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs defense has 37 sacks entering this week. That puts them at number five in the NFL for sacking the quarterback. These sacks are generated because of the blitzes they run and star defensive tackle Chris Jones. Having a game-wrecking defensive tackle like Jones allows blitzes to get home more often because of the double teams that Jones gets. So, the Packers will have to find ways to minimize Jones and stop the blitzes. If they can't, then Jordan Love will be under pressure all night and is bound to make mistakes against one of the best defenses in the league.