Green Bay Packers vs Kansas City Chiefs Matchup Preview (11/7/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Green Bay Packers vs Kansas City Chiefs Matchup Preview (11/7/21)

What was destined to be a battle of the State Farm quarterbacks has now become the Jordan Love show as Aaron Rodgers has officially been ruled out of Sunday’s game due to COVID-19 protocols. Love, whose draft selection by the Packers in 2020 angered Rodgers, will finally get a chance to shine in a highly anticipated matchup against the defending AFC Champs. The Chiefs come into the weekend off a Monday night win against the Giants, while the Packers come in the victors of a Thursday night thriller against the Cardinals. An interesting subplot to keep an eye on in this game is how Aaron reacts to Jordan Love’s performance  — good or bad. We know Aaron has a sensitive spot when it comes to media coverage of the Packer’s quarterback situation. How he responds to Love getting press may tell us something about he sees himself within the framework of this franchise long-term. The Packers come into Arrowhead 4-1 on the road this season, and the Chiefs 2-2 at home.  

Green Bay Packers vs Kansas City Chiefs Betting Odds

Betting Trends

Packers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win
Packers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games
Packers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game
Chiefs are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game
Chiefs are 4-15 ATS in their last 19 games overall
Chiefs are 2-12 ATS in their last 14 games following a straight up win

The Pick

Throw out the trends in this one. Without Aaron Rodgers, we have no idea what to expect from this Packers team and, frankly, I’m not sure this wouldn’t have been a trap game for them even if he did play. That said, one thing that will translate in this game regardless is the Packers defense. The Packers currently have the sixth best passing defense in yards per game (ypg) and the seventh best ypg defense overall. The Chiefs, meanwhile, have become increasingly dependent on the passing game. For as much flak as this Chiefs defense has gotten all season, they’ve actually sharpened things up in recent weeks — allowing just 7 total points in their last three second halves. I do think the novelty of Jordan Love will work in the favor of the Packers, but overall I like the Chiefs to win. They have more urgency going into the game and their negative turnover differential is way overdue for a regression to the mean.

My Prediction: Chiefs win 26-24, Packers cover +7.5

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, November 7
Time: 4:25 PM ET
Location: Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, MO
TV Coverage: Fox

Green Bay Packers vs Kansas City Chiefs Live Stream

Where can you watch Green Bay Packers vs Kansas City Chiefs online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Green Bay Packers vs Kansas City Chiefs Free Online Now.

Injuries

Green Bay Packers: QB Aaron Rodgers (COVID-19) O, OT David Bakhtiari (Knee(ACL)) Q, CB Jaire Alexander (Shoulder) O, OLB Za’Darius Smith (Back) O, WR Davante Adams (COVID-19) Q
Kansas City Chiefs: LB Melvin Ingram III (Groin) Q, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Knee) O

Green Bay Packers Analysis

After an offseason of brooding and feuding with his own General Manager, Aaron Rodgers will finally get a chance to see what the heir to his throne looks like in live NFL action. In a game that could make or break the Chiefs season, Jordan Love has no easy task in trying to navigate the perils of a Sunday afternoon game in a hostile environment, though he does have some things going for him.

Primarily, the possible return of OT David Bakhtiari would be a huge addition this weekend. The Packers have kept quiet about whether or not he will play, but, if he does, he poses a big problem for a Chiefs defensive front that is currently operating on very thin margins. 

The other big things Love has going for him is a lack of NFL film and a solid defense. Even in practice settings the Packers have been notoriously secretive about Love’s play, and since he’s played no games in the NFL, the Chiefs must resort to years old college film from Utah State to evaluate his weaknesses. Though this isn’t a card the Packers can play long-term, it certainly gives them an edge in this one. From a defensive standpoint, the Packers improved secondary is the perfect antidote to a Chiefs passing offense that is still rolling despite a lack of scoring success. How the Packers have had such success in defending the pass despite missing CB Jaire Alexander is a testament to DC Joe Barry and the rest of this coaching staff.

The two pronged rushing attack of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon has been highly successful as of late with both backs averaging over 4 yards a carry. It’ll be interesting to see how they do this weekend when they are called upon to carry a large share of the offensive load —  something they haven’t had to do all season

Green Bay Packers Depth Chart

QB: Jordan Love
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: AJ Dillon
RB3: Ryquell Armstead
WR1: Randall Cobb
WR2: Allen Lazard
WR3: Marquez Valdes-Scantling
TE1: Josiah Deguara

Kansas City Chiefs Analysis

Since running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was placed on the IR with a knee injury, this Chiefs offense has become increasingly dependent on Patrick Mahomes dropping back 40 plus times a game to move the ball down the field. Though Mahomes is a generational talent, the lack of a balanced attack this season has allowed defenses to game plan for their bevy of weapons in a smarter fashion. Last week the Giants, for example, were able to effectively eliminate Travis Kelce from the game by bracketing him at the line of scrimmage.

To make matters worse, this offense continues to make costly turnovers at key points. With a turnover differential of -11, this team is tied with Jacksonville for the worst turnover differential in the league and many of these are Patrick Mahomes’ interceptions coming at the hands of tipped balls and bad reads.

On a more optimistic note, however, this Chiefs defense has been steadily improving. In the last three games, they’ve allowed an average of just 20 points per game — 3 points below league average — with only 7 total points allowed in the second half of these three games. Combine this with the fact that the AFC West is slowly unraveling before them, and you have reason to be excited as a Chiefs fan.

Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart

QB: Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Darrel Williams
RB2: Jerick McKinnon
WR1: Demarcus Robinson
WR2: Mecole Hardman
WR3: Tyreek Hill
TE1: Travis Kelce

Green Bay Packers vs Kansas City Chiefs Daily Fantasy Picks

Look for Packers RB AJ Dillon to get some opportunities to pick up chunk yardage against this Chiefs defensive front. The Chiefs enter with the fifth worst rushing defense in yards per rush and eleventh worst rush defense overall. The Packers, on the other hand, love to run the ball — ranking in the top half of the league in rushing attempts. Dillon has been the recipient of many of these, averaging 8.5 carries per game and 4.5 yards a carry. He is currently listed as $4,600 on DraftKings.