2023 NFL Week 14: Packers vs. Giants Preview & Prediction

The Green Bay Packers are on a roll. A sweet roll. And it is most yummy indeed for us Packers fans (sorry for the sweet roll pun). But after taking down the Lions in Detroit and the Super Bowl Champion Chiefs at Lambeau Field, the Pack find themselves in the hunt for a wildcard spot in the playoffs at 6-6 after winning 3 out of their last 4 games and 4 out of their last 5. We really didn't see that coming earlier in the season now did we? (Although, looking back at our pre-season prediction, we had them finishing with a 10-7 record ... still in play!)

Still, Green Bay's playoff odds are now set at roughly 72% after a run of thousands of future game simulations by the New York Times. If the Pack wins their remaining 5 games, beginning tonight against the Giants in the Meadowlands, their chances improve to 100 percent. Nice. Drop one? Still good.

But this playoff run starts in earnest tonight. So let's have a look, shall we?

Packers QB Jordan Love has been the talk of the NFL

for the last month or so.

(Photo via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Preview

Perhaps we should begin with a look at tonight's weather and field conditions. The rain and winds that impacted the East Coast over the weekend supposedly will be gone by kickoff. Expect a temp in the upper 30s and winds around 10 mph. Artificial turf. Acceptable December conditions.

The Pack will be without the services once again of RB Aaron Jones, CB Jaire Alexander and WR Christian Watson. Also appears as if LB Quay Walker will be on the sidelines. The Packers have been dealing with key injuries all season and finding ways for the back-ups to step in and make plays...which they have been doing. Yay. Tonight's yet another occasion.

The 4-8 Giants have a backup QB, Tommy DeVito, starting, and a so-so offense apart from RB Saquon Barkley, who could single-handedly deal the Packers a loss if the running game defense doesn't find a way to contain him more often than not. And while DeVito's passer rating is actually slightly ahead of Jordan Love's over the same stretch of last 3 games, he hasn't had to face the kind of pass rush the Pack can bring.

The Giants defense isn't great either. It is ranked 26th in the league in points allowed per game. But that's a bit deceiving because they are in the top 10 in opponent passer rating. So Love will have to continue his sharp ways tonight. And get continued high performances from his receivers and support from RB A.J. Dillion and others, not the least of which is the offensive line who have been performing at a high level during this turn-around.

The Prediction

The Packers are 6-point faves tonight, only the second time they have been favored all season.

We see them continuing their winning ways this evening. We're calling it Packers 24 - Giants17.

Go Pack Go!!!

2023 NFL Week 13: Packers vs. Chiefs Preview & Prediction

OK, Packer fans ... first things first. The last few weeks, we have not predicted Packers wins. As noted in those predictions, we have said that the team needed to show up in all phases of the game for a full four quarters to help us believe once again. On Thanksgiving Day, in Detroit, the Pack finally put it all together in defeating the Lions. It set a good tone for the rest of the holiday, didn't it? And that was with a LOT of starters missing from action. The backups showed up. Big time. A great win that actually puts Green Bay back into a playoff wildcard race. Long way to go, but at least it's positive. And we believe.

Tonight will be another test for this young team: the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs come to Lambeau Field. Let's consider what might be at play in this game.

It may not be Vince Lombardi leading the way for the Packers against

Hank Stram and the Chiefs tonight, but the pride and history of both teams

will be on full display, with much at stake for both.

(Photo via the National Football League)

The Preview

Can QB Jordan Love and the Packers continue their recent trend of game-by-game progress? Or will there be drop off after the huge win against the Lions? For the Chiefs, will QB Patrick Mahomes recapture his magic performances? And will the KC defense continually blitz to throw off Love's timing with his budding receiving corps, especially given that Packers RB Aaron Jones will again not be on the field and give the offense a way to mitigate the blitz? Will the Packers defensive line be able to contain and pressure Mahomes the way they did Jared Goff in Detroit? Will the defense for the Packers be as stingy and turnover-generating as against the Lions?

So many questions. And we will have to wait to learn the answers. It's why they play the game, as the saying goes.

The good news for Packers fans is that the team has won three out of its last four games. Love is performing at a high level. His young receivers are learning where they need to be and, hopefully, that part of the job is catching and holding onto the ball no matter what. Head coach Matt LaFleur is gaining confidence in his young QB and offense and starting to open the playbook. Finally. We've also seen defensive coordinator Joe Barry's defense improve itself. It is still somewhat unpredictable in terms of stopping the run, but if it plays with the energy and determination it did against Detroit, they can stop anyone. Even Kansas City. Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Preston Smith et al need to once again dominate.

And if the defense can create a turnover or two, all the better.

Oh, and perhaps Packers special teams can pull off a return that helps turn momentum. That would be good. Very good.

In a game such as this, a turnover or big return can be the difference between a win and loss, especially for the Packers.

The Prediction

The Chiefs come into Green Bay tonight heavily favored, but the line has decreased since earlier in the week. KC went from 7-point favorites to 6-1/2 and are now listed as 5-point faves.

This time of year, we also have to start looking more and more at the weather forecasts. The weather shouldn't be much of a factor tonight. Both teams are accustomed to the early December Midwestern conditions. While the snow this morning (about 2 inches in Green Bay as of 9 a.m. CT) should end well before gametime, things will still be seasonable: temps in the low to mid-30s are expected. Wind shouldn't be a problem despite a wind advisory in place until about 3 p.m. So, as the natives in these parts say, "It's a bit brisk". Or, "Perfect football weather" ... depending upon one's point of view, of course.

On a related note, this will really be Packers rookie kicker Anders Carlson' first cold weather game. As Packers great, LeRoy Butler said in his preview prediction, he's gotten a bit nervous whenever Carlson comes out. Carlson has been good for the most part, but has missed some kicks, too, including PATs which is never a good thing. We don't want a missed PAT to decide a game like this. Let's hope that the PAT and FG unit has worked outdoors this week because you know KC will be really looking to get a block or two, if possible.

So, where do we go with our prediction? We're going to call it an upset tonight. We think the Pack will keep ascending. They know that they can play with any team if they come together and play at a high level for a full 60 minutes. But it will be tight, as we should expect from head coach Andy Reid and his team ... and Matt LaFleur and his.

We're calling it Packers 26 - Chiefs 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

2021 NFL Week 9: Packers vs. the Kansas City Chiefs Preview and Prediction

So, anything of consequence happen over the last week or so, Packers fans? Well, first, lest we forget, the Pack beat the unbeaten Arizona Cardinals in the desert on Thursday Night Football way back when it seems, prior to the mini-break that followed. This despite the projections by many that Green Bay just wouldn't have enough to get past QB Kyler Murray and his high-powered offense. Glad to say they, and we, were wrong. Going into today's game in Kansas City, then, the Packers sit atop the NFC Conference with a record of 7-1 by way of the tie-breaker over Arizona, let alone being far atop the NFC North Division where the nearest opponent — the ViQueens — has a 3-4 record.

So ... yay!

What else happened? Oh, QB Aaron Rodgers has Covid-19. Did you hear about that? Kind of flew under the radar. (Note: sarcasm.)

We'll leave aside the pro vs. con vaccination debate. (Although, in the interests of full disclosure, this writer will be getting his booster shot just prior to the start of today's game. Because, well, science > Joe Rogan. Enough said.) Instead, let us move on to what matters as a result of Rodgers, through his personal choices, leaving his team in the hands of his backup QB for this key game against KC.

And what matters is: how will the heir apparent to Rodgers — Jordan Love — perform in his first NFL start? Will he be up to the challenge after only really about a year into his pro development? (Drafted in 2020, Covid shut down much of what Love would have gained in that year.) We're about to find out if the Packers will be comfortable moving on from Rodgers after this season, if that's the case, or whether they will be begging Rodgers to stay.

Today's starting QB and heir apparent to Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love,

gets ready to take a snap during mop-up duty in preseason.

(Photo by Dan Powers, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

The Preview

The preview begins and ends in large measure with how well Jordan Love will play. There is no doubt he has a strong arm or that he is athletic. He is also said to have a calm demeanor and to not get flustered easily, good qualities in a quarterback. But Love was also raw coming out of college, as most young QBs are, and needed a lot of work on his footwork and learning a greatly expanded playbook than what he was used to. Now, don't expect head coach Matt LaFleur to have him run every play available. The game plan had to be re-written on Wednesday when Rodgers became unavailable. While the coaches say Love has progressed by leaps and bounds, to expect him to do what Rodgers does is unrealistic.

Expect a reliance on the running game today to take the pressure off Love. Thankfully, the Packers have two great running backs in Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon and a great offensive line, no matter who happens to be in at any given time. Davante Adams and Allen Lazard will also be available as receivers today. Losing TE Robert Tonyan for the season in the Cardinals game was a blow, but there are a couple young tight ends who can step up today.

LaFleur will basically fit the offense to what Love knows and is comfortable with. If he doesn't fumble or throw interceptions (both possibilities, of course), the offense — while likely not as dynamic as with Rodgers at the helm — can and will put up some points. Especially against a suspect Chiefs defense. Opportunities will be there and the Packers and Love will need to take advantage. One area where Love will have an advantage over Rodgers is with his legs. If protection breaks down and no receivers are available, expect Love to take off. Don't be surprised if there is even a designed play or two to take advantage of that.

The Packers defense, on the upswing week after week, it seems, will need to hold KC QB Patrick Mahomes in check the way they did when facing Kyler Murray. If they cover the receivers, and keep Mahomes from breaking contain, the Pack can keep this game close.

The Prediction

The Packers come in at 7-1 on a six-game winning streak. The Chiefs are 4-4, 2-2 at home. The Chiefs have put up more points (208) than the Packers (192), but have also give up more, 220, vs. 167 for the Pack. The Packers, overall, are a better team at this point than the Chiefs, statistically. But the oddsmakers have installed the Chiefs as 6-1/2 point favorites...obviously 3 points for the home field advantage — arguably the loudest stadium in the NFL which will make it difficult for the inexperienced Packers QB and the offense to hear calls — and 3-1/2 points for the lack of Aaron Rodgers.

If we were betting people — we're not — we'd take the Packers against that spread.

And, for some reason, the intuition today is telling us that the Packers are going to "upset" the Chiefs. Jordan Love is going to show us, over the course of the game, that he belongs.

We're calling this game Packers 27 - Chiefs 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

NFL Week 8 Review of Packers win vs Chiefs, NFL Week 9 Preview vs. Chargers — We're on a twofer binge!

Looking back at last week's game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, the Green Bay Packers displayed some magnificent offensive firepower in coming away with a 31-24 win ... which, by the way, was exactly the score that we predicted in our pregame prediction (is that redundant?).

Anyway, the Pack had some explosive plays, which they haven't had many of this season. Aaron Jones is solidifying himself as a true threat both running and receiving. Fellow RB Jamaal Williams isn't too shabby in that department either, making an epically-good-highlight-reel-corner-of-the-endzone catch that really helped the Packers nail down the win. WR Jake Kumerow also made a nearly impossible catch at a critical point in the game. The offense was humming. And, still, WR Davante Adams was on the sidelines. So the Packers are good at offense, particularly with the best QB in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers, at the helm.

Packers RB Aaron Jones had a big day vs. the Chiefs.
(Photo: Charlie Riedel, AP)

But, to be honest, there are still issues on the defense, particularly in the secondary. KC receivers were open far too often with no Packer defender in sight. This has been nearly a season-long issue, although it seems to have gotten worse in the past four or five games. What will turn that around? If you have an answer, mail it to 1265 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI. Still, the defense has been doing enough, at the right times, to keep the Pack in the win column. At least there's that. And, really, that's all that matters when the play clock strikes zero.

Packers will be playing the Chargers at Lambeau Field West today

While this is a home game for the 3-5 Chargers, it's LA and Los Angelinos haven't exactly warmed to the San Diego transplant or its temporary home at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The expectation is that the stadium will probably be more like a home game for the Packers than the Chargers. The chargers head coach (whoever it is) said that they really don't play for the fans anyway so that won't matter. We'll see. Not exactly a great way to attract fans. Of course, if they wanted to do that they would have stayed in San Diego. Just sayin'.

It is agreed, however, that the game is played on the field. The Packers are apparently as healthy this week as they have been pretty much all season, listing only 2 players with injury designations for today's game: WR Davante Adams and TE Robert Tonyan were both listed as questionable. Rookie TE Jace Sternberger was activated yesterday off the injured reserve list, although whether he will be active for the game today remains uncertain at the time of this writing. A decision was still awaited on S Ibraheim Campbell who was also on the injured reserve list. The Pack comes into this game at about as full strength as they can get, whether or not Adams is active. Yay.

The Chargers are going to be missing a few players on defense, with one DL already out and 3 other defenders listed as questionable. That should bode well for the Packers offense...as long as Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari can handle the excellent edge rushing tandem of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. This is a tough challenge for Bulaga and Bakhtiari, perhaps especially so for the latter who has been getting flagged more than usual recently for holding penalties. Let's hope that doesn't come at a critical time in today's game.

The Chargers do have weapons in the form of QB Philip Rivers, of course, and RB Austin Ekeler who takes what Aaron Jones does up a notch. He is going to be a lot to handle, particularly in the receiving area. You don't want him tearing things up, but given recent coverage tendencies, the expectation is he is going to cause some damage in the Packers defense. And let's not forget former Wisconsin Badger standout RB Melvin Gordon, who seems to just be kicking off the rust from his unsuccessful contract holdout. Gordon can also cause problems for a defense.

The Prediction

The Packers are favored by 3-1/2 points. We see the Packers continuing their offensive roll, with the defense continuing its bend-don't-break trend. Combined, that's a win.

We're calling it Packers 38 - Chargers 23.

Go Pack Go!!!

NFL Week 7 Review of Packers win vs Raiders, NFL Week 8 Preview vs. Chiefs — Yes, another twofer!

We're now at the halfway point of the NFL season, Packers fans. Sitting at 6-1, things are looking pretty good. Let's be honest, better than likely many expected. 

The Raiders Leave Lambeau with a Loss

Last Sunday, we saw the Pack beat the Raiders 42-24 in a game in which QB Aaron Rodgers had a perfect quarterback rating, throwing for 5 touchdowns and running for one. He received help from 8 different receiving targets, if memory serves correctly. It was a great game from an offensive standpoint. Defensively, the Packers still are giving up too many explosive plays particularly through the air in the secondary. Seemed as if in many cases there wasn't even a defensive back in the same zipcode as the Oakland receivers. Somehow, someway, that has to be tightened up. But they also seem to make enough plays at the right time, goal-line stands, etc., that have been making wins possible. So there's that.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on his way to a perfect QB rating
and win vs. the Raiders on Oct. 20, 2019 at Lambeau Field.
(Photo: Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Kansas City, Kansas City Here We Come

But what about now? What about tonight's game in Kansas City? In this rematch (in name only) of the teams in Super Bowl 1, the Packers are favored by 4-1/2 points at the time of this writing. The Chiefs will be without their MVP QB, Patrick Mahomes, as well as reportedly about 5 other starters. That likely helps explain the Pack being favored. Arrowhead Stadium is arguably the loudest stadium in the NFL and opponent offenses often have to rely on hand signals to make their calls. Not an easy place to play so getting the Chiefs with so many missing parts right now is a bit of a gift. 

While still without WR Davante Adams, the Packers have been winning as other receivers have begun to step up in his absence. The Pack's running game also has to be respected with the two-headed threat of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams.

We have to believe that a Rodgers-led Packers offense will get it done against a Mahomes-less Chiefs. The biggest challenge for the Pack's defense will be to somehow minimize the damage that wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins, along with TE Travis Kelce, can do. The secondary, as noted, as had its issues this season, and covering good tight ends — of which Kelce is among the best in the league — has also been a challenge. But if the defense can keep these weapons in check and the offense does what it's capable of doing, the Packers are likely to leave KC with a win.

The Prediction

We already gave it away in the last sentence above, didn't we, Packers fans?

We're calling it Packers 31 - Chiefs 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

Self-Check at the Midway Point of the Season

We'll revisit this after today's game, but taking at look back at our Preseason Preview, we had the Packers coming through the first half of this season at 5-3. Depending on what happens against the Chiefs, the actual record will either be 7-1 or 6-2. Either way, glad to know we underestimated this team. Better and deeper than earlier looks indicated.

Packers vs. Chiefs in Week 3 Replay of First AFL-NFL Championship

Well, that's the hook, anyway. The two teams from the very first Super Bowl -- then known as the AFL-NFL Championship -- meet tonight at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI: the Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Well, OK, not those exact teams...that game would really look like a rolling MASH unit. Still, on hand tonight will be quite a few of the Packers who actually played in that first championship game 50 years ago. Imagine that. Fifty years ago.

While that is cool enough in itself, it's history...good history: the Packers won. But our concern is more immediate. What's going to happen with this Monday Night Football extravaganza?

Get ready for a show at Lambeau Field tonight.
Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Here's what we know about the Packers
We know Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is healthy. That's a good thing. A very good thing. Starting RB Eddie Lacy is "probable" tonight, which is an upgrade from his "questionable" status of a few days ago. That means probably limited action. But James Starks can certainly fill the void, as we saw again last week against the Seahawks. In terms of receivers, Davante Adams is also listed as probable. So, again, perhaps limited action. But that means there are opportunities for other receivers. Plus, the Packers have had a week to game-plan for a reduced role for Adams. The receiving corps didn't seem to miss a beat last week while Adams was out. And let's not forget TE Richard Rodgers, who was not only working at his usual spot but also on occasion out of the backfield. There's plenty for the Chiefs to worry about.

We know we are in good shape with our skill players (note that I can say "our" because I am a Packers shareholder...a-hem), but we may have cause for concern at the tackle positions, particularly on the right side where Bryan Bulaga is still out and Don Barclay will have to take on arguably one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, Justin Houston. On the other side, we saw LT David Bakhtiari get speed-rushed a few times last weekend; he's got to hold up better this week. The Chiefs have a good front seven and can cause problems if the Packers O-line doesn't perform well.

On defense, we know that the Pack will be without S Morgan Burnett tonight. He helped a great deal in terms of secondary toughness last week against Seattle, as well as being the defensive backfield "quarterback." Seems as if the secondary is just not as good when Burnett is out of the lineup. Against a very good opposing quarterback such as Alex Smith, the Pack's secondary has to play more like they did last week than in the opener against Chicago.

The Packers are a work in progress and a bit banged up in the third week of the season, but are 2-0 going into a tough, but winnable game at home against a very good opponent, who themselves may be Super Bowl-worthy when it's all said and done.

What we know about the Chiefs
Since this is an inter-conference game, many Packers fans probably don't follow what happens in KC very closely. The Chiefs are 1-1 and have given up as many points as they've scored: 51. We also know the coach used to be a Packers assistant under Mike Holmgren once upon a time. He had a good stint with the Eagles, but didn't get them to the promised land. In Kansas City, he has a a team with a very good defense, particularly up front, a very good quarterback (Smith) and very good running back in Jamaal Charles when he isn't fumbling away the game as he did last week against Denver. This is the third week in a row that the Packers defense will have faced a top-notch running back. Charles is a versatile back, the kind that has often given the Packers defense troubles. Still, the "D" has done pretty well containing those backs the first two weeks; they'll need to do so again tonight.

Our prediction
The Packers are 6-1/2 point favorites. Many think it will be closer than that, and some even think this is a game the Pack could lose given their emotional expenditure in the win against the Seahawks. But the Packers are establishing dominance at home. Aaron Rodgers hasn't thrown an interception at Lambeau since...2012? Amazing.

The Packers get this win. We're calling it 31-24 Packers.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers pluck the Seahawks 27-17

It may have been publicly downplayed by Green Bay Packers coaches, staff and players prior to the game, but there's no denying the sweet taste of revenge that comes with the Pack's Sunday night win over the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field. After losing three straight to Seattle, in heartbreaking ways, the Packers finally got their "white whale"...or blue-green birds...whatever.

It was a game where the better team exerted itself and controlled the game, particularly in the fourth quarter. To the latter point, the Packers controlled the ball for more than 10 minutes in the final quarter of the game, scoring 11 unanswered points.

As the Packers went to 2-0 in the division and conference, Seattle fell to 0-2, effectively putting the Pack three games up on their conference rival by virtue of the head-to-head tie-breaker, should it come to that at playoff time. The win was a huge one for the Packers and an equally huge loss for the Seahawks.

The Packers defensive line dominated the Seahawks
Photo by Rick Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
While we expect the Packers offense to score points and lead the way (thank you, Aaron Rodgers, may we have another?), it was the Packers defense and special teams which played key roles in the win with unexpectedly strong performances. Outside linebackers generally held contain, while the D-line, anchored by B.J. Raji and Mike Daniels, stuffed RB Marshawn Lynch time and again, holding him to 41 yards on 15 carries. An amazing effort. Seattle QB and former Wisconsin Badger Russell Wilson was the team's leading rusher on the night, with 78 yards on 10 carries/scrambles.

The defense also caused two huge turnovers. Actually, LB Jayrone Elliott was the party responsible for both: he picked off one-handed a screen pass over the middle and then late in the game chased down RB Fred Jackson from behind and caused a fumble. A great night for the young man, who actually was back up to Andy Mulumba.

Packers special teams also are uncharacteristically performing well two games into the season under the leadership of coordinator Ron Zook. They covered well against the Seahawks. K Mason Crosby hit field goals of 54, 18, 44 and 21 yards. In doing so, he passed K Ryan Longwell as the Packers' all-time scoring leader. Congratulations, Mason!

Downsides
While there was much to be pleased with in this game, injuries again reared up to bite the Packers. RB Eddie Lacy was lost in the first quarter to an ankle sprain; there is a possibility -- given the extra day of rest because the Packers don't play until Monday evening against the Kansas City Chiefs -- that he could be available to play. But James Starks carried 20 times for 95 yards as his replacement, proving why Ted Thompson decided to keep him in free agency rather than let him depart. Randall Cobb and rookie Ty Montgomery also got snaps out of the backfield, proving their versatility and how this offense just keeps coming at you no matter what.

WR Davante Adams was also out of the game for a while with an ankle injury, but returned to play. The biggest loss of the night was that of third-year DT, Josh Boyd, who broke his ankle and sustained some ligament damage, as well. He has since been placed on injured reserve for the season; the Packers immediately signed ILB Joe Thomas to the roster spot.

Chiefs up next
Next up for the 2-0 Packers are the 1-1 Kansas City Chiefs. The game will be in primetime on Monday night at Lambeau Field. In keeping with their 1-1 record, the Chiefs have both scored and given up 51 points in their first two games. The Packers, conversely have scored 58 while allowing just 40. The oddsmakers have installed the Pack as 6-1/2 point favorites at this point in time.

Check back with us later to read any updates and be sure to check back closer to game day for our preview and prediction.

Go Pack Go!!!