The Green Bay Packers were one of the most surprising teams of the 2023 NFL season. After starting the season 2-5, Jordan Love and offense suddenly clicked while the team went 7-3 in the final 10 games of the regular season. Furthermore, they then went on to upset the Dallas Cowboys in the wild card round and nearly knocked off the eventual NFC Champions, the San Francisco 49ers, in the divisional round.
To be sure, there were more than a few games that Green Bay lost that they should have won against teams that were inferior to them in terms of talent. Games like the losses to the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants stick out as three particularly bad losses.
However, they also played extremely well and won against teams that were considered among the best in the NFL. Wins against the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions in back-to-back weeks (and on short rest on Thanksgiving) may be considered the best wins of the season.
Indeed, the Packers showed everyone that their “rebuild” year was more of a “retooling” season as they returned to the playoffs in their first season sans Aaron Rodgers. They showed so much promise that one NFL analyst believes that they are one of just two teams that could beat the Chiefs in the playoffs/Super Bowl next season.
NFL Analyst Claims the Green Bay Packers Could Dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs
Willie Colon is a former NFL offensive guard who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets during a 10-year professional career. He won Super Bowl XLIII with the Steelers and lost to the Packers in Super Bowl XLV. Since retiring, Colon has become a NFL analyst for The Carton Show and covers the Jets for SNYTV.
On Tuesday, Colon was asked what team he thought would be able to beat the Chiefs “today” if given the chance. He responded:
What team has the best chance to beat Kansas City next season?
“The team in the NFC would be Green Bay. AFC wise, it’s the Texans. CJ Stroud, year 2, he’s gonna be money good.” — @willcolon66 pic.twitter.com/zx7foX6k9N
— The Carton Show (@TheCartonShow) February 13, 2024
“I’m going to be honest: Green Bay.”
Colon actually named the Packers and Houston Texans as the two teams he thinks could beat the Chiefs, and really only spent time expanding on why he believed Houston could do it. However, it is still noteworthy that, so early in the offseason, the Packers are already getting recognized as one of the top teams in the NFL.
The Green Bay Packers Did Beat the Kansas City Chiefs During the Regular Season
Back in November, the Packers defeated Kansas City 27-19 at Lambeau Field, a game that garnered special attention because Taylor Swift was in attendance to support Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. In this game, Love outplayed Mahomes, who just won his third career Super Bowl MVP:
- Jordan Love: 25/36, 267 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, 118.6 passer rating
- Patrick Mahomes: 21/33, 210 yards, one touchdown, one interception, 79.1 passer rating
The game was highlighted by two Christian Watson touchdown receptions. In total, Watson had seven receptions for 71 yards. Unfortunately, this was also the game that saw him injure his hamstring and kept him out for weeks afterwards.
Defensively, Keisean Nixon picked off Mahomes while the rest of the Packers’ defense combined for three sacks. Rookie Lukas Van Ness had one while Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Preston Smith, and Devonte Wyatt combined for the other two.
For whatever reason, former defensive coordinator Joe Barry was always able to scheme up a good defensive gameplan against the Chiefs (in the two times they played them). Of course, it is yet to be seen if the Packers defense under Jeff Hafley, the new defensive coordinator, will be able to rise to the occasion when facing the NFL’s best offense.
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