The Kansas City Chiefs would love to see history repeat itself when they visit Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.
Love, however, is feeling much more confident these days. So, too, are the rejuvenated Packers (5-6) as they prepare to host the high-powered Chiefs (8-3).
Love’s first NFL start came against the Chiefs on Nov. 7, 2021. He posted a 69.5 passer rating as he threw for 190 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 13-7 setback to Kansas City.
“I’ve watched that tape plenty,” Love said this week. “So I know the exact kind of looks that they gave us. I’m expecting that they’ll have a new flavor of pressure this week.”
Kansas City has put plenty of pressure on opposing teams this season. The Chiefs, who lead the AFC West by two games over the Denver Broncos, are coming off a 31-17 win on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for 298 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Running back Isiah Pacheco scored twice on the ground, and Rashee Rice and Justin Watson notched one touchdown reception apiece.
Meanwhile, tight end Travis Kelce has at least six catches in eight of his last nine games.
The trip to northern Wisconsin will carry special meaning for Kansas City coach Andy Reid. He started his NFL coaching career in Green Bay, where he worked from 1992-98 as a tight ends coach, an assistant offensive line coach and eventually a quarterbacks coach.
Brett Favre and the Packers won the Super Bowl during the 1996 season with Reid on the staff.
“It’s a lot like Kansas City,” Reid said. “They’re passionate about football. It is a neat environment. We look forward to that challenge of going up there and playing. …
“I had a great time there. We won a world championship. My experience there was top notch.”
The current iteration of the Packers offense features an emerging Love, who is aiming for his third consecutive game with a 100-plus passer rating. Love completed 22 of 32 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns in his latest game, a 29-22 win over the Detroit Lions on Nov. 23.
Wideout Christian Watson has caught touchdown passes in back-to-back games for Green Bay. Rookie teammate Jayden Reed has hauled in a touchdown in two of his past three contests.
The Packers could be short-handed in the backfield, where Aaron Jones has a knee injury and A.J. Dillon has a groin injury. Neither player took part in the first full practice of the week.
Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said his team faced a tough challenge against the Chiefs, particularly with regard to defensive end Chris Jones.
“He’s so massive, and he’s the total package,” LaFleur said. “He’s a big guy that can really move. They do a good job of moving him around, and you combine that with some really good players around him and the scheme in terms of a very aggressive style, … it’s a deadly combo.”
The only Chiefs player to miss Wednesday’s practice was running back Jerick McKinnon, who is dealing with a groin injury.
Green Bay is 3-2 at home this season. Kansas City is 4-1 on the road.
–Field Level Media