Green Bay Packers 2021 opponent preview: Kansas City Chiefs
Perhaps the toughest game on the Green Bay Packers‘ schedule comes around midseason when they travel to Arrowhead Stadium.
The Kansas City Chiefs have consistently been one of the NFL’s top teams since Patrick Mahomes became their starting quarterback in 2018. In his first three seasons as the starter, he’s been named NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, and led his team to the Super Bowl two years straight.
Will we finally see Mahomes versus Aaron Rodgers in 2021?
Last season
Entering the season as defending Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs were considered one of the favorites and in a great position to repeat, which is rare these days.
After remaining undefeated in the opening four weeks, they looked well on their way. They lost to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5 but wouldn’t lose again until the season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers when they rested most of their starters.
A dominant 14-2 record gave Kansas City the AFC’s top seed, and it would earn victories over the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills in the playoffs, setting up a return to the Super Bowl.
But the hopes of a repeat were crushed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who handed the Chiefs a 31-9 defeat in the Super Bowl.
When is the game?
The Packers meet the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 9, with the game being played on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 3:25 p.m. CT.
Offseason additions/departures
Fixing the offensive line was priority number one for the Chiefs, and they were aggressive this offseason. They signed guards Joe Thuney and Kyle Long, who is coming out of retirement, and also traded a first-round pick for Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr. They then drafted center Creed Humphrey in the second round.
Credit where it’s due. The Chiefs knew they had one area of weakness on offense, and they went all-in to fix it.
Last meeting with Packers
October 27, 2019: Packers won 31-24 at Arrowhead Stadium
Player to watch
Patrick Mahomes: Since being named the starter in Kansas City, Mahomes has thrown for 13,868 yards, 114 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. Just incredible numbers.
Mahomes was injured when Green Bay played Kansas City in 2019. This year, the Packers’ defense will need to figure out a way to stop him. Failing that, they’ll need Aaron Rodgers and the offense to win a shootout between two of the previous three NFL MVPs.