Three takeaways from Packers’ win vs. Chiefs in Week 8
The Green Bay Packers have now won four straight. What did we learn from their victory over the Kansas City Chiefs?
Find a way — that’s been the theme for the Green Bay Packers so far this season.
They’ve reached the halfway stage of their season, and have seven victories on the board already. That’s more than they won all of last year. The Packers have also got three times as many road victories as they did in all of 2018.
Green Bay’s win at Kansas City was its fourth in a row. What did we learn from the game?
1. Aaron Jones has become one of the NFL’s top running backs
In his first two seasons, Aaron Jones was an exciting player to watch. An explosive runner, Jones led the NFL in yards per carry in 2018. He’s now taken the next step, becoming a consistent threat as a receiver.
In Jones’ first two seasons combined, he had 35 receptions for 228 yards and a touchdown. In eight games this season, he’s already up to 34 receptions for 355 yards and three touchdowns.
The star of the show on Sunday night, Jones finished with 226 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. On the final drive, he had six carries for 29 yards, and then a catch for eight yards to close out the win.
The running backs have been featured in Matt LaFleur’s offense, and Jones is playing the best football of his career.
2. Defense has taken a step back
The Chiefs deserve credit for their success on offense even without Patrick Mahomes, but it wasn’t a particularly convincing night by the Packers defense.
Missed tackles? That won’t have impressed defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. And far too often, Matt Moore was under no pressure and had a receiver wide open to throw to.
The Chiefs were efficient on third downs, converting six of 11 attempts, including many third-and-longs. Far too often, when a tackle was there to be made, the Packers didn’t make the play.
The defense did make some important plays. Tyler Lancaster forced a fumble late in the third quarter. Za’Darius Smith made two sacks.
But overall, a lot needs to be improved from the past couple of games.
3. Trade on the way?
The trade deadline is tomorrow, and one has to assume GM Brian Gutekunst will be open to making a move for a receiver. While the running backs have been contributing and Allen Lazard has made a difference (five catches for 42 yards in this game), the other receivers have been inconsistent.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling only had one catch for four yards. Geronimo Allison one catch for seven yards. Jake Kumerow made a spectacular 34-yard reception on the Packers’ opening drive, but he only had one more catch for the rest of the game. Jimmy Graham caught three passes for 20 yards.
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Yes, the Packers are spreading the ball around, but they could still do with a consistent number two receiver. It’ll be interesting to see if they are active in the trade market over the next couple of days.