Week 3
Game of the Week
We have a rematch of Super Bowl I this weekend, as the upstart Kansas City Chiefs, travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers. Both teams have momentum going in opposite directions. Kansas City is coming off a heartbreaking loss to Peyton Manning and the Broncos, while Aaron Rodgers and the cheese heads beat the Super Bowl runner ups, Seattle Seahawks. This will be an intense, physical NFC/AFC matchup. Let’s take a look at each team’s performance in more detail from last week.
Turnovers kill Chiefs Hopes
In the beginning of last Thursday night’s matchup, Kansas City looked great. The Defense was in Peyton Manning’s face, and they forced turnovers. Marcus Peters, Kansas City’s first round pick in this year’s draft, intercepted Manning in the first quarter, and took it back 55 yards for a touchdown to put the Chiefs up 14-0. The score before that? Just a 34 yard rushing touchdown by Jamaal Charles.
Kansas City’s game plan entering that game was to get Charles going early and often. That’s exactly what they did. By halftime, Charles had 73 yards rushing and a TD.
The downfall for Kansas City was their inability to protect the ball. Alex Smith threw two interceptions, Jamaal Charles fumbled twice, and De’Anthony Thomas, the Chiefs punt returner, fumbled once. That spells disaster for any football team
After Denver tied the game up 24-24 late in the fourth quarter, Kansas City was left with 34 seconds and two timeouts. On their first play of that drive, Jamaal Charles fumbled the ball. The Denver Broncos went on and recovered the ball and scored the game winning touchdown. A heartbreaking loss that could turn into a momentum killer for the rest of the season.
Fourth Quarter Heroics from Rodgers lead Pack past Seattle
In a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship Game, Green Bay was out to get revenge. In case you forgot, Green Bay was up 19-7 with a little under three minutes left to play. Russell Wilson and company mounted a huge comeback to force overtime, and eventually won on a 35 yard touchdown to Jermaine Kearse.
Rodgers wasn’t having any of that Sunday Night. The gunslinger threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was the go ahead score in the fourth quarter.
Down 17-16 to start the fourth quarter, Rodgers led his team on a 10 play 80 yard drive that lasted over six minutes. Rodgers found Tight End Richard Rodgers in the corner of the end zone for a five yard touchdown.
The most impressive part about this win for Green Bay, is they did it without the help of Running Back Eddie Lacey. Early in the first quarter, Lacey left the game with an apparent ankle injury. He never returned to the field, but no worries, in came James Starks. The fifth year pro out of Buffalo, rushed for 96 yards on 20 carries.
Matchups to Watch
Aaron Rodgers vs Chiefs Secondary
After a cake walk against Chicago in Week 1, Rodgers faced a tougher secondary in Seattle, but faired great. In comes an elite secondary that has forced a couple of interceptions with one taking back for a touchdown. On the flip side, Kansas City hasn’t faced a quarterback of Rodgers caliber yet this season. If Green Bay’s offense can get into a no huddle rhythm like Denver did in the second quarter last week, it’s going to be a long day for Eric Berry and company.
Jamaal Charles vs Packers Front Seven
As I said earlier, Jamaal Charles had a great game against Denver in Week 2 besides his two fumbles. Charles finished the game with 125 yards and one touchdown. If Kansas City wants to win, they have to get the Texas Alum going again. In Week 1, Green Bay was gashed by Running Back Matt Forte to the tune of 141 yards and one touchdown. Charles and Forte are a lot alike in the sense of hard runners that are also threats in the receiving game.
X Factor
James Starks
If Eddie Lacey does suit up this week, he won’t be 100 percent. He is currently listed as day to day, but ankle injuries can linger a little longer than most. James Starks had a great Week 2, and could be in line for a bigger Week 3. After CJ Anderson couldn’t get going against Kansas City last week, Denver brought in Ronnie Hillman. While Hillman only carried the ball nine times, he was efficient. With Aaron Rodgers keeping the Safeties out of the box, the running lanes could be wide open for Starks.
Prediction
In what is looking like a physical matchup, one thing is for sure, a lot of points will be scored. Kansas City’s offense has improved tremendously with the acquisition of Wide Receiver Jeremy Maclin. They finally have a legitimate deep threat. We all know Green Bay can go from 0 to 100, real quick. In the end, Aaron Rodgers is Aaron Rodgers. Kansas City’s defense isn’t equipped to stop number 12. Look for Rodgers to throw three touchdowns and cruise past the Chiefs.
Packers 34 Chiefs 23
