Green Bay Packers 2019 opponent preview: Kansas City Chiefs

The Green Bay Packers will face one of their toughest challenges of the season in Week 8.

It’s hardly surprising that this game will be played in primetime. It’s the first matchup between future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Rodgers and league-MVP Patrick Mahomes.

But the Green Bay Packers have a lot to prove that, as a team, they are anywhere near the level of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Let’s take a closer look at this matchup and the Chiefs’ offseason so far.

Last season

Led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the league’s No. 1 offense, the Chiefs finished first in the AFC West at 12-4. They earned the AFC’s number one seed, and would reach the AFC Championship Game after a comfortable victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round. The Chiefs lost the AFC title game in overtime to the New England Patriots.

When is the game?

A week after playing the Chiefs’ divisional rivals, the Oakland Raiders, the Packers hit the road for just the third time of the season to visit Arrowhead Stadium. The game takes place in Week 8, on Sunday, Oct. 27, and will be in primetime on Sunday Night Football.

Offseason additions

The Chiefs have made some big moves on defense, trading for edge rusher Frank Clark and linebacker Darron Lee, and signing safety Tyrann Mathieu and former Packers cornerback Bashaud Breeland. But Kansas City also lost a ton of talent — they traded away Dee Ford, and cut Justin Houston and Eric Berry. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been suspended.

Kansas City didn’t have a selection in the first round of the draft, but used its two second-rounders on wide receiver Mecole Hardman and safety Juan Thornhill.

Last meeting with Packers

Sept. 28, 2015: Packers won 38-28 at Lambeau Field

Player to watch

Patrick Mahomes: Mike Pettine’s defensive gameplan starts with trying to slow down the reigning league-MVP. Patrick Mahomes was dominant in 2018, and if he has a big game, the Packers won’t stand much chance of winning.

Even with Aaron Rodgers, winning a high-scoring game in Kansas City isn’t easy. The Packers will need their big signings at edge rusher to put Mahomes under pressure and hope to force him into a couple of mistakes.

This should be a great matchup between two of the best quarterbacks in the league.