Packers: Don’t write off the Chiefs, even without Patrick Mahomes

Even without Patrick Mahomes, the Green Bay Packers still face a tough challenge against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8.

Sunday’s showdown between the Packers and Chiefs was supposed to be a battle of two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Green Bay’s two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers against the reigning MVP and arguably the best QB in football, Patrick Mahomes.

But with Mahomes suffering a knee injury in the Chiefs’ victory last week, he is almost certainly going to miss Sunday’s game.

But that doesn’t mean the Packers should write off the Chiefs.

After all, when Mahomes left last week’s game, the Chiefs were leading the Broncos 10-6. By the end of the game, they won 30-6. Matt Moore came in and finished 10-of-19 for 117 yards and a touchdown.

Now, with a full week to prepare for Moore, the Packers will be far more confident on defense than if Mahomes had been available. That much is obvious. But it’s not just Mahomes that makes the Chiefs’ offense so great. They have the best tight end in football, a great wide receiver corps and a strong ground game.

Last week, Raiders tight end Darren Waller had seven catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers. In Week 4, Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert combined for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Defending Travis Kelce won’t be easy, no matter who is at quarterback. Kelce is currently 10th in the NFL for receiving yards and first among tight ends.

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill will also be a tough matchup for the Packers’ secondary. Last season, Hill finished fourth in the NFL for receiving with 1,479 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also averaged 17 yards per catch, tied for fourth-best in the NFL.

Sammy Watkins would be a No. 1 wide receiver for many NFL teams, and if he’s able to return from injury this week, he’ll give the Chiefs’ offense a boost.

Even without Mahomes, the Packers will need to generate pressure up front and the secondary will need to play well. The Raiders found some success through the air last week, particularly in the first half.

Kevin King and Jaire Alexander will both need to have good games, and the Packers will also hope first-round pick Darnell Savage can return in this game.

The Packers will be favorites, and part of that is the matchup against the Chiefs’ defense. Kansas City is No. 25 in total defense and No. 29 against the run, although it is better against the pass at No. 9.

If the game is high scoring, it will favor Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, especially if they can get Davante Adams back.

The Chiefs won’t be as dominant without their MVP quarterback, but they shouldn’t be written off either. Even without Mahomes, the Chiefs have a lot of talent, particularly on offense. To win, the Packers need to play like they have the past three weeks.