NFL: Chiefs win two straight by beating the shorthanded Packers

Kansas City, Missouri - The Kansas City Chiefs toughed it out when it mattered most against the Green Bay Packers and came away with a huge home win.

Jarius Sneed (r.) with a fourth-quarter interception.
Jarius Sneed (r.) with a fourth-quarter interception.  © IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

The Chiefs slipped away on Sunday with an ugly 13-7 win over the Packers, who had their seven-game winning streak snapped as a result.

Green Bay came into Sunday’s matchup considerably shorthanded, while Aaron Rodgers (37) has been isolating with the coronavirus since last week.

Kansas City’s defense had a prime chance to take some serious advantage of the Packers offense operating way lower than its full potential and although they left it late, the Chiefs did just that..

However, their offense still struggled, producing a measly 13 points in the first half, which was nowhere near what the Chiefs are expected to score week-to-week.

With a backup quarterback though, Green Bay’s offense wasn’t much to marvel over either as they finally scored a touchdown with only minutes left in regulation, but that was all they could get that day.

The Chiefs defense made plays at the end to seal things up and grab a vital victory.

The player spotlight

Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker led the team with seven points scored on Sunday.
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker led the team with seven points scored on Sunday.  © imago/Icon SMI

Believe it or not, Kansas City’s kicker was the star of the show again for the second-straight week.

Not to water down a successful performance, but when a team scores just 13 points, leaders on the stat sheet are few and far in between.

Harrison Butker earned the glory, outscoring both Mahomes and Kelce and that happens once in the bluest of blue moons.

He made both of his field goal attempts, including a 55-yarder, along with a good extra point that gave him seven points scored.

The big picture

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers tested positive for Covid-19 last week.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers tested positive for Covid-19 last week.  © imago/Icon SMI

This game was less about the subpar offense of the Chiefs and more about the practically absent attack of the Packers, who were without Rodgers under center.

Maybe it was just a fluke, but if Sunday’s game was a precursor to life without Rodgers, then Green Bay needs to rethink their depth chart not just for this season, but for the long-term future of this team.

Next Sunday, the Chiefs (5-4) are in Las Vegas to face the Raiders (5-3) while the Packers (7-2) are back at home to host the Seahawks (3-5).

Cover photo: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

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