The Green Bay Packers were one of the more surprise teams in the 2023 NFL season. After opening the season 2-5, Jordan Love and his offense suddenly clicked, and the club finished 7-3 in the final ten games of the regular season. Furthermore, they stunned the Dallas Cowboys in the wild card round and nearly defeated the eventual NFC Champions, the San Francisco 49ers, in the divisional game.
To be sure, Green Bay lost a number of games that they should have won against opponents with inferior skill. Games against the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants stand out as particularly awful losses.
However, they also performed admirably and defeated teams regarded as among the best in the NFL. victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions in consecutive weeks (and on short rest on Thanksgiving) may be considered the season’s best victory.
Indeed, the Packers demonstrated that their “rebuild” year was more of a “retooling” season, as they advanced to the playoffs in their first season without Aaron Rodgers. They demonstrated so much potential that one NFL analyst feels they are one of only two teams capable of defeating 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 spent his 10-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets. He won Super Bowl XLIII with the Steelers, but fell to the Packers in Super Bowl XLV. Since retiring, Colon has worked as an NFL commentator for The Carton Show and a Jets reporter for SNYTV.
On Tuesday, Colon was asked which club he believed would be able to defeat the Chiefs “today” if given the opportunity. He responded:
“I’m going to be honest: Green Bay.”
Colon identified the Packers and the Houston Texans as the two teams he believes can beat the Chiefs, and he only spent time explaining why he believes Houston can do it. However, it is worth noting that, so early in the offseason, the Packers are already being regarded as one of the best teams in the NFL.
The Green Bay Packers Did Beat the Kansas City Chiefs During the Regular Season
Back in November, the Packers upset Kansas City 27-19 at Lambeau Field, a game that received extra attention because Taylor Swift was there to support Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. In this game, Love outplayed Mahomes, who recently 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
Christian Watson scored two touchdown receptions to highlight the contest. Watson totaled seven receptions for 71 yards. Unfortunately, this was also the game in which he injured his hamstring, keeping him out for several weeks.
Defensively, Keisean Nixon intercepted Mahomes, while the rest of the Packers defense combined for three sacks. Rookie Lukas Van Ness had one, with Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Preston Smith, and Devonte Wyatt combining for the other two.
For some reason, former defensive coordinator Joe Barry was always able to devise an effective defensive strategy against the Chiefs (in the two games they played). Of course, it remains to be seen whether the Packers’ defense, led by new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, will be able to up to the challenge of facing the NFL’s finest offensive.
