Are you ready for some Chiefs football?
Like the past three seasons, the Chiefs Wire staff will offer its weekly predictions for each Chiefs game. Here are our picks for Kansas City’s Week 8 matchup against the Green Bay Packers
Charles Goldman’s pick: Chiefs win 27-26
Season record: 4-3
Twitter: @goldmctNFL
Yes, I’m aware QB Patrick Mahomes isn’t playing. I read the same injury report that you read with six Chiefs starters ruled out. It’s not looking too great for our heroes — I get it — and I’m not crazy. My record in these predictions articles is already pretty shot for the season, so I feel like playing the role of optimist this week.
Kansas City still has a lot of good things going for them against the Packers. They have an elite cast of weapons surrounding backup QB Matt Moore. The defense is playing confident and coming off a dominant performance against a division rival. They’re not favored in this game, so the underdog mentality comes into play. Let’s also not forget about Andy Reid’s track record of turning back up QBs into temporary superstars.
Meanwhile, the Packers aren’t without problems. Their defense is inconsistent and can be exploited on the ground, as they’re currently struggling to stop the run. Their defensive coordinator is a disciple of Bob Sutton, so we’re all too familiar with those struggles.
One thing you’ll notice about Mahomes is that he rarely credits himself when he earns some achievement or has a great game. He always puts his success on his teammates and the coaching staff. Well, this week is the perfect time for those teammates and that coaching staff to go out there and prove Mahomes right.
Wesley Roesch’s pick: Packers win 28-24
Season record: 6-1
Twitter: @WesleyRoesch
I’d love to take the Chiefs here. The homer in me wants to believe that Kansas City can overcome the injuries, that Matt Moore can put together a good showing against the Packers, that the defense has turned things around after last week’s nine-sack showing.
All of those things can actually happen, but it’s still hard for me to believe that a team that’s this beat down by injuries can take on a Super Bowl contender and win.
I do expect the Chiefs to put up a good fight, though. Moore is a solid backup quarterback who obviously has super talented pieces around him. The defense also seems to have some confidence back after last week. I think this will be close, but ultimately it’s Aaron Rodgers vs. Matt Moore.
Nicolas Roesch’s pick: Packers win 34-16
Season record: 6-1
Twitter: @Nicolas_Roesch
This game was going to be tough enough to win even with a healthy Patrick Mahomes. I would pick the Chiefs if Mahomes was healthy, but with Matt Moore and the injuries to Frank Clark, Chris Jones and Eric Fisher, I have to give the edge to the Packers.
The Chiefs’ defense played much better last week, but it’s about to run into a buzz saw with the Packers’ offense. Aaron Rodgers is having an MVP-caliber season and is coming off one of the best games of his hall of fame career.
As for the Chiefs’ offense, I think it will move the ball and keep it close through three quarters, but will ultimately settle for too many field goals and not be able to keep up with the Green Bay offense.
John Dillon’s pick: Packers win 38-19
Season record: 5-2
Twitter: @TheJohnDillon
Unless Matt Moore is inspired by the divine between now and Sunday night, Kansas City will be 5-3 after their matchup with Green Bay. All things considered, maybe that’s not a horrible start, even if expectations were sky-high. Patrick Mahomes has looked great when he’s kept upright, and despite his injury against Denver in Week 7, he’s likely to be back in form when he returns.
But this week against the Packers is likely a lost cause. Kansas City will compete, and fight, and guys like Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Sammy Watkins might even have decent days. It’ll oblige fantasy football fans at the very least. Without key pieces on defense in Frank Clark, Kendall Fuller, and Chris Jones for an already Mahomes-less offense, this game looks like a loss for the Chiefs.
I’m calling this game 38-19 for Green Bay, and expect another step back for the defense with so many guys out against an elite quarterback talent in Aaron Rodgers.
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Vinciane Ngomsi’s pick: Packers win 21-17
Season record: 5-2
Twitter: @VincianeNgomsi
Of course, the first game without Patrick Mahomes fully under center would come against a future Hall of Famer and a team that has only lost one game. Sunday could be an opportunity for the defense to really show Chiefs Kingdom, and the rest of the world watching primetime football, that they can hold their own against a team like the Packers. Then again, without some of their outstanding defensive talent, it feels like an opportunity for Green Bay to humble Kansas City.
Without number 15, Kansas City still has the offensive pieces to make some noise, but I fear they’ll fail to convert on crucial third-down plays, eventually settling for field goals. In retrospect, 5-3 isn’t a bad record at the halfway mark of the season. Patrick Mahomes will get some much-needed rest and will come back stronger than ever, defying any doubts of a Madden curse. I definitely hope I’m wrong and the Chiefs stifle Aaron Rodgers and company, but I’m concerned Andy Reid’s men won’t be so lucky.
Danilo Di Julio’s pick: Chiefs win 21-17
Season record: 5-2
Twitter: @ThunderDan88
This is the week where the Chiefs Kingdom will have their trust in the coaches and beliefs truly tested. Where do you sit? On the fence with sweaty palms and a quickly beating heart, awaiting what must be certain defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers? Or do you believe? Do you believe the defense really turned a corner last week? Do you believe in the offense, with or without Mahomes?
On the road against a division opponent that was coming off of back to back wins, the Chiefs trounced the Broncos 30-6, largely without Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City ran the ball, sacked the quarterback and took home a win.
I happen to believe it was not smoke and mirrors but progress. The defense playing together, the O-line asserting themselves and making holes for the backs. Matt Moore, coming off the bench cold and taking center stage. Was he rusty? If you shook him, he would’ve sounded like a box of Corn Flakes. But pass by pass, Coach Reid got him going and Matt found a rhythm. While he’s not Mahomes, no one is, Matt can throw the football. He has five career games with 3 TDs and one game with 4 TDs. He’s never had the offensive weapons he has now.
We’re not supposed to win. Our defense has nothing to lose. Remember, remember the 18th of December 2011, when a 13-0 Packers squad took the field at Arrowhead and lost. They were beaten by a 5-8 Chiefs team, led by Kyle Orton and Jackie Battle under the guidance of just appointed interim coach, Romeo Crennel. The 2019 Chiefs are better than that 2011 unit, by a long shot. I see the offense making enough plays. I see the defense taking another step forward, taking the ball away from the Aaron Rodgers led Packers two times and the Chiefs delivering a win to a raucous Arrowhead crowd.
Talon Graff’s pick: Packers win 35-23
Season record: 5-2
Twitter: @CoachGraff34
A Sunday Night Football matchup seems a little lackluster without the Patrick Mahomes vs. Aaron Rodgers marquee. However, it is still not clear whether Mahomes will play or not. I would rather not risk the long term health of our franchise quarterback but I have faith that the Chiefs brass will not put Mahomes in a bad situation. With Mahomes most likely sitting out this one, the edge clearly belongs to the Packers.
Matt Moore is slated to start with rookie Kyle Shurmur as the primary backup if Mahomes is a no go. Green Bay’s defense has been vastly improved in 2019 and it has helped them get to a 6-1 record so far. Aaron Rodgers is currently fifth in passing yards and has thrown 13 touchdowns to only two interceptions. With that sort of elite play, Kansas City’s defense will be exposed if it doesn’t have a great game plan. Whether Mahomes is on the field or not, the Packers are a serious Super Bowl contender. This is the toughest test the Chiefs have had.
Kevin Scott’s pick: Packers win 31-17
Season record: 6-1
Twitter: @KevinScottFF
For this game, the Chiefs have to go up against one of the hottest teams and hottest quarterbacks in the league – almost certainly without their best player. The Packers have been excellent defensively so far this season, ranking 6th against the pass and 19th against the run. I don’t think the Chiefs will be able to get anything going with Matt Moore under center, and it figures to be a struggle to get points on the board.
On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs have improved drastically against the pass this season, currently ranking fourth in the league. Much of that has to do with the egg Flacco laid last week, but they have still been much improved. However, against the run, they remain one of the worst defenses in the league, ranking 29th. Look for the Packers to run the ball at will with Aaron Jones early and often, and although the Chiefs will do their best to stop it, if they do the Packers will run play-action and beat them deep. It figures to be a struggle to prevent the Packers from putting points on the board as well!
Overall this has the makings of a not-very-close game, with one team trending up and one team trending down due to injury.
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Ed Easton’s pick: Packers win 35 – 17
Season record: 6-1
Twitter: @EdEastonJr
This week’s matchup with the Green Bay Packers won’t be easy considering the current state of the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback situation. Matt Moore will be forced into a shootout with All-Pro QB Aaron Rodgers coming off his best game of the season last week. The high powered Packers offense will challenge the newly empowered Chiefs defense, but it won’t be enough to keep Green Bay out of the end zone.
The Kansas City defense will have support from the raucous Arrowhead stadium crowd but can’t keep it going for four quarters. Moore will need help from the running game but won’t get the best results from LeSean McCoy and Damien Williams. The Packers defense will do enough to seal the game and send Andy Reid’s group to a third consecutive home loss.
Mitch Carney’s pick: Packers win 27-20
Season record: 5-2
Twitter: @MitchMitchcar11
This is a winnable game for the Chiefs even without Mahomes, but I’m going to go with the Packers. Kansas City has too many injuries right now to feel confident in picking them. If Mahomes was out and they had Eric Fisher, Andrew Wylie, Chris Jones, and Frank Clark I would pick the Chiefs in a heartbeat.
I’m predicting that the offense will have some success, scoring two touchdowns. I expect that Matt Moore struggles to move the ball at times and they stall out on multiple drives. The defense will also have an alright game, but with the Chiefs being without their two best defensive linemen, it won’t be enough for Kansas City.
Max Ramsey’s pick: Packers win 28-24
Season record: 5-2
Twitter: @The_Wild_Chief
This week will tell us a lot about the Kansas City Chiefs. While Mahomes is doing his best to make an unheard-of comeback after dislocating his knee cap, it should be Matt Moore getting his first start with the Chiefs. It’s a tough ask for any team to beat the Packers with the way Aaron Rodgers and company have been playing, but Kansas City and Moore should be up to the task.
The defense showed that it is capable of performing at a high level, albeit against an inferior Denver team, and should have a confidence boost going into the game. The biggest difference and the one advantage the Chiefs have going for them in this matchup is that for the first time the team will feel like the underdog. I think the Chiefs have a good chance at coming away with the win Sunday night, but it would be a pretty big upset. I have them putting up a fight but losing the game in the fourth quarter.
