Packers: Three bold predictions vs. Chiefs in Week 8
By Nile McNair
The Green Bay Packers are on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. Here are three bold predictions.
Coming off an impressive 42-24 win over the Oakland Raiders last week, the Green Bay Packers will face another AFC West opponent in the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. In primetime on Sunday Night Football, Green Bay will have to go on the road to try to secure a win.
Since losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, the Packers have won three straight games in three different ways. Versus the Dallas Cowboys, Aaron Jones led them to victory. Red-zone defense was the key to victory against the Detroit Lions. Meanwhile, last week Aaron Rodgers put on a masterpiece in route to a Green Bay victory.
This week, the Packers may find a new way to win.
Nonetheless, these are some bold predictions for the Packers against the Chiefs on Sunday night.
1. Packers rush for over 200 yards
Rejuvenation of the Packers running game has been clear this year. Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams have been a dynamic duo in the Packers’ backfield, promoting Davante Adams to tweet “Our 1,2 punch at RB is the filthiest”.
Green Bay will rush for over 200 yards on Sunday because that is the weakness of the Chiefs’ defense. Kansas City is allowing 148.9 rushing yards per game, which ranks 28th in the NFL.
The Chiefs have two losses this season, coming at the hands of the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. Against the Texans they allowed 192 rushing yards, and against the Colts they allowed 180 rushing yards.
Jones and Williams will be the catalyst to this big rushing performance. Additionally, Aaron Rodgers will add to the rushing total with some timely scrambles.
2. Rodgers late game heroics will be needed
En route to their 6-1 start, the Packers have been impressive to say the least. What’s most impressive is that Green Bay is finding different ways to win. During previous seasons, it was Rodgers’ heroics that propelled the Packers to wins. Yet, this season, aside from the Lions game, his heroics have not been utilized.
Even without Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, this game will be a close one. Mahomes not playing will motivate the rest of the Chiefs to show they are good enough to win without him.
On the road in Kansas City, which is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL, Rodgers will need to lead a game-winning drive in order for the Packers to win. We will witness another Rodgers moment on Sunday night.
3. Jimmy Graham will lead Green Bay in receiving yards and touchdowns
This last bold prediction would be a sight all Packers fans have waited for. Since acquiring Jimmy Graham two years ago, he hasn’t performed to everyone’s expectations.
Well, that will all come to an end this week. Graham will lead the Packers in receiving yards and touchdowns for the first time in his Packers career.
Last week, the entire offense had a great game, but Graham had one of his better performances as a Packer. Graham finished the game with four receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. That was Graham’s best performance this season and he will only build on that this week.
In addition, if the first bold prediction of Green Bay rushing for over 200 yards comes true, that will allow Graham to thrive in the play-action passing game.
Assuming Green Bay will be without Davante Adams again, someone will have to lead the Packers in the passing game, and this week it will be Graham.