The loss against the Kansas City Chiefs had shades of Week 1. The team seemed unprepared.
And that isn’t entirely on the Green Bay Packers. They had to switch quarterbacks mid-week and go on the road against one of the best signal-callers in the league. The team was 7-1 and hasn’t been at full strength yet. They lost most of their receivers and most of their cornerbacks. Then they lost their quarterback. The offensive line still isn’t at full capacity.
The game had the makings of a potential miracle win — or a disaster. The result was something in the middle. They could have won this game. With a healthier O-line, Aaron Rodgers, or a better game plan, they could be 8-1. Their history of poor special teams play didn’t help.
The main highlight was addressed immediately after the game by head coach Matt LaFleur.
The team was not good on third downs, and that is a significant factor in the loss. Jordan Love wasn’t spectacular in his first start, but the team still had chances to win. It could have easily been a blowout, but it wasn’t. The defense kept the team in the game. Their offense and special teams didn’t execute.
Let’s quickly break down the third-down plays to see how the team can improve.
First Quarter
The Packers received the ball to start the game. After an incomplete pass and a run by Aaron Jones, Jordan Love threw an incompletion to Jones, and Kansas City forced Green Bay to punt. They took less than a minute off the clock during their first drive.
Conversion rate: 0/1
On their second drive, the team didn’t have a third-down until their third series. The Packers reached the Kansas City 22 before a second-straight incomplete pass to Jones on third down. It was also the drive that Mason Crosby missed a 40-yard field goal. Give credit to the offense for driving down the field, though.
Conversion rate: 0/2
Second Quarter
The next drive was decent too. The Packers would start the second quarter with the ball as well. Jordan Love connected to Davante Adams for six yards on this third down, but it was 3rd and 12. Crosby’s field goal was also blocked on this drive.
Conversion rate: 0/3
Another solid drive for the Packers. They didn’t have a third-down until their fourth set of downs. It was 3rd and 6 on the Packers’ 45. Love missed another pass to Adams, and the Packers had to punt.
Conversion rate: 0/4
On their next possession, after a quick first down, the Packers left the field after another incomplete pass to Adams.
Conversion rate: 0/5
Green Bay would go into halftime down 13-0.
Third Quarter
The first drive of the third quarter was very short-lived. After an incomplete pass and a short run by AJ Dillon, Love fumbled out of the shotgun but recovered the ball.
Conversion rate: 0/6
The next possession again brought a couple of first downs and ball movement. They got up to the Packers’ 42-yard line before Love took an 11-yard sack. Love was pressured all day by Kansas City, and it seemed like the team never fully adjusted. Sometimes there was extra protection, but there should have been more quick looks downfield or in the middle of the field when the Chiefs brought the house.
Conversion rate: 0/7
Fourth Quarter
The next drive was almost perfect by the Packers. They started with the ball again at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Starting on their six-yard line, they drove down the field and into the Kansas City red zone. They even converted a third down on a Love-to-Adams connection. But then it was challenged and reversed, so it didn’t count.
Conversion rate: 0/8
Then, sadly, an imperfect throw by Love to Adams was almost caught but ended up in the hands of the Chiefs’ defense and landed Love with his first career interception.
Conversion rate: 0/9
Down 13-0, the Packers finally had solid starting field position. They also converted their first third down of the game. Love threw a 15-yard pass to Randall Cobb. On the very next set of downs, Green Bay finally switched it up and had Jones run for nine yards for another converted third down. Two in a row!
Conversion rate: 2/11
Their next third down would be an incomplete pass to Cobb. The Packers would go for it on fourth down and connect to Allen Lazard for a 20-yard touchdown pass to avoid a shutout. So, 2-for-12 on converting for third downs, but they did score on the drive.
On the next drive, Patrick Mahomes would finally look like Mahomes and was able to make some fantastic throws to give the Chiefs three first downs to wrap up the game.
So the team ended up converting two of 12. That’s not great. Along with bad special teams play and the constant pressure for Kansas City, the Packers were handed their second loss of the season. Next week is still up in the air. Aaron Rodgers will most likely be back under center, but stranger things have already happened this season, so nothing is guaranteed.
