GREEN BAY, WI — Another solid performance from the Green Bay Packers' young quarterback, Jordan Love, won him the duel against the defending champion Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football at Lambeau Field. The Cheifs’ inability to punch the ball into the end zone cost Kansas City early, and the Packers won 27-19.
The injury-riddled Packers’ defense showed up when it mattered against the reigning Super Bowl champs. On two straight drives in the first half, the Packers’ d-line swarmed Mahomes for three sacks, stopping what could have been touchdowns. The two field goals Green Bay allowed in the first two frames ended up being the difference when Jordan Love and the offense scored touchdowns.
The Packers’ offense scored on its first two opening possessions to set the tone for the game. Love hit two touchdown passes early to give Green Bay a 14-6 advantage at the half. The first pass was a 1-yard pass to Ben Sims, and the second a 9-yard touchdown to Christian Watson.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon made the play of the game with less than six minutes left in the 4th quarter. Following a pass-interference penalty called on the Packers moved the Chiefs into Green Bay territory, Mahomes and company tried to take advantage. Mahomes tossed a deep ball, but Nixon read the route and made a beautiful over-the-shoulder interception. Green Bay took over with a 5-point lead and 5:14 remaining in the 4th quarter.
Kansas City’s offense came alive in the 2nd half behind a powerful ground game in Isiah Pacheco. Pacheco finished with 18 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown. Kansas City pulled within two points before two Packers’ field goals put Green Bay up 27-19 with less than two minutes remaining.
No primetime NFL game would be complete without some late drama and the final drive delivered. First, a controversial call on a hit on Patrick Mahomes near the sideline put the Chiefs at midfield. Two plays later, the Packers seemingly committed pass interference on Marquez Valdez-Scantling, but there was no call. Green Bay’s defense held off Mahomes as the Chiefs went for a last-gasp pass to the end zone to claim victory 27-19.
Jordan Love finished the contest with 267 yards and three touchdowns on 36 pass attempts. Mahomes went 21/33 for 210 yards, a touchdown, and a critical interception. Green Bay moves to 6-6 in the 2023 season and is in a prime position to chase down a playoff spot. Kansas City dropped back to 8-4 and one game behind the leaders for the 1-seed in the AFC.
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