The Behind the Numbers series takes a closer look at the key stats and figures that ended up defining the Green Bay Packers on-field performance.
Don’t look now, but the Green Bay Packers have won four of their last five games, are currently the seventh seed in the NFC playoffs, and are firing on all cylinders at the moment. From pretty much start to finish on Sunday Night, the Packers were in control of their matchup with the Chiefs, led by Jordan Love and yet another defensive performance where Green Bay ultimately kept points off the board.
"Certainly that was a big win for us,” said Matt LaFleur after the game. I think for our guys, just against one of the premier teams in this league, and we had contributions from all three phases. But can't say enough about the guys in that locker room. The resiliency they show. The willingness to come in everyday with the same mindset, and that's just trying to get a little bit better and truly taking it one game at a time. I was really happy with our performance tonight. It was far from flawless in certain areas, but we absolutely did enough to win, and like I said that's a really good football team."
After rewatching the game and diving into the key stats and figures, here is what you need to know about the Packers’ performance against the Chiefs.
4.1: Yards per carry for AJ Dillon
Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon (28) runs for a first down against the Kansas City Chiefs during their football game Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
Despite being without Aaron Jones and the Packers run game, in general, struggling for much of the season, that element was going to have to play a key role against Kansas City, and it did. The Chiefs entered Week 13, allowing only 5.6 yards per pass – one of the best rates in football – but 4.6 yards per attempt on the ground, which ranked 28th. AJ Dillon didn’t dominate the game by any means with huge runs, he averaged a modest 4.1 yards per carry, but that did have a huge impact on the rest of the offense. With a run game to lean on, it helped set up play-action opportunities, which Jordan Love and the rest of the offense were extremely effective on. It also helped keep the offense out of long down-and-distance situations, and when a defense has to worry about defending both the run and the pass, it takes away some of the pass rush’s bite by slowing them down.
7.4: Yards per attempt for Jordan Love
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) passes the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-19. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
It was another excellent performance by Jordan Love. He finished the game completing 25-of-36 passes for 267 yards with three touchdowns. As already mentioned, the Chiefs passing defense was allowing only 5.6 yards per pass coming into this game but surrendered 7.4 to Love and the Packers. Love’s confidence is at an all-time high right now, and we see the effects of that in his much-improved decision-making, his poise and ability to navigate the pocket, even when chaos is around him. Not to mention he is continuing to make some really impressive throws. “I think it’s just decision making,” said Love when asked where he’s seen the most growth in his own game, “being decisive, playing fast, trusting my guys and, like I said many times before, these guys are just going out there and making plays for me, winning those contested catches. But, there are so many things that tie into it, just to continue reps that we’re all getting, the more comfortable we’re getting together as a team, the unit, the bond, all of those little things tie in. For me, personally, playing more decisively and getting the ball our fast, trusting myself, trusting my receivers and everything.”
4: QB hits on Love
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 03: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lambeau Field on December 03, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
This is a blitz-heavy Chiefs defense that came into Sunday Night’s game, ranking sixth in blitz rate, second in pressure rate, and fifth in sacks. However, against Green Bay, Kansas City sacked Love just two times, with the second one coming on the Packers’ final offensive play of the game, and they hit him only four times. As they do, the Chiefs threw a variety of blitzes at Green Bay. Not only do they blitz often, but they disguise is well and send pressure from all over the field. But the Packers held up well, as the numbers and our eyes suggest. Success against the pressure packages started pre-snap with the correct pressure adjustments made by Love and the offensive line. Once the ball was snapped, it then required all 11 to be on the same page. Of course, the offensive line has to hold up, as do the tight ends, who played a key role in pass protection. Love and the receivers have to be on the same page, not to mention that Love’s improved pocket feel and decision-making when under duress–two elements that Matt LaFleur and Tom Clements specifically mentioned earlier in the week when asked where Love has improved the most. As previously discussed, it also helps to have a run game to lean to help slow down a defense’s pass rush.
Packers playoff odds at 70%
Dec 3, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur celebrates with fans following the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
At 6-6, the Packers are currently the seventh seed in the NFC playoff picture. According to the New York Times playoff predictor, the Packers currently have a 70 percent chance of making the postseason. Along with the Packers as a team clicking at the right time, their schedule to end the season is favorable as well, without any teams currently over .500. From a record standpoint, the Packers’ most difficult matchup is at Minnesota in Week 17.
3: Red zone sacks of Patrick Mahomes
Oct 1, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid pre game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Bringing down Patrick Mahomes is no easy task. In fact, his ability to extend plays and go off-script is a big part of what makes him so special. However, the Packers were able to record three sacks on Sunday, all of which came in the red zone. On the Chiefs’ first red zone possession, the Packers logged back-to-back sacks on second and third downs, resulting in a field goal. On the next possession, Green Bay recorded another third down red zone sack, which ended in a second field goal for Kansas City. On the day, the Chiefs were 2-for-4 in the red zone, missing out on eight potential points in game that they lost by eight. Ultimately, the Chiefs were still able to find success on the ground, averaging nearly 6.0 yards per attempt as a team, while there were some coverage breakdowns as well, with Travis Kelce running wide-open on several of his receptions. But once again, this Packers defense kept points off the board–even if it isn’t always pretty. This is now the eighth straight game that the Packers have not given up more than 24 points in a contest, their longest streak since doing it in nine straight games in 2010.
1-0: Packers win turnover battle
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) intercepts a pass during the fourth quarter of their game Sunday, December 3, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-19.
Although the Chiefs were 8-3 prior to this game, they were somehow minus-five in turnover differential. Creating turnovers is not something that the Green Bay defense has been very good at this season, recording the fourth-fewest in football entering Week 13. But when they do win the turnover battle, they are 3-1 in those games. Actually, now make that 4-1. The lone turnover in this contest came in the fourth quarter on an interception by Keisean Nixon. This then allowed the Green Bay offense to chew up a good amount of clock and a made field goal by Anders Carlson made it an eight-point game instead of five. Instead of a touchdown by the Chiefs winning it, they needed six plus the two-point conversion.
"We were watching mannerism tape earlier in the week,” said Nixon after the game, “and (Mahomes) tapped his knee and they put two off the ball and I’m like, ‘Oh, I’ve seen this before.’ I knew he was gonna run it and he ran it."
5-for-5: Perfect day for Anders Carlson
Green Bay Packers place kicker Anders Carlson (17) celebrates after kicking a 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during their football game Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
Anders Carlson entered this game having missed an extra point in each of his last three games – one of which was blocked – and had a missed field goal in four of his last six games. Since the Packers drafted Carlson, Rich Bisaccia has spoken glowingly about his "mental makeup," or ability to bounce back quickly, along with the moment not being too big for him. Through the recent ups and downs, Bisaccia continued to preach patience, which was always the plan with the rookie. Unfazed, Carlson made all three of his extra point attempts and two field goal attempts over 40 yards on a chilly December night. Had this game played out like the last few, with a missed extra point and field goal, the ending of this game takes on a whole new dynamic than what it did.
"behind" - Google News
December 04, 2023 at 11:02PM
https://ift.tt/GAmYVsf
Behind the Numbers: Packers deliver wire-to-wire win over Chiefs - Packers Wire
"behind" - Google News
https://ift.tt/UYuB4O0
https://ift.tt/qIWB7YL
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Behind the Numbers: Packers deliver wire-to-wire win over Chiefs - Packers Wire"
Post a Comment