The defense did everything it could, but too many miscues spelled doom for the Green Bay Packers in a 13-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Filling in for Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love had a rocky NFL debut. He threw for 190 yards and a touchdown, but the offense went 2-12 on third downs. Love also threw a second-half interception, but if not for two botched field goal attempts, the game was perhaps winnable.
The outstanding play from Green Bay’s defense kept the game within reach until Patrick Mahomes converted a crucial third down with under two minutes remaining. Usually, when your team limits Mahomes and the Chiefs offense to under 200 yards passing and one touchdown, you expect to win the game. If the offense had made a few more plays or the special teams unit had made one less mistake, the Packers might be 8-1 instead of 7-2.
But you live, and you learn. Green Bay remains first in the NFC North and very much in control of their own destiny. Rodgers is one of multiple key players expected back soon as this team aims to have a strong second half to the season.
Even though the Packers didn’t come out on top, there were still some positive takeaways in defeat. Let’s take a look at the standouts from Week 9: