Kansas City Chiefs vs. Green Bay Packers Prediction, Preview, and Odds

The Kansas City Chiefs arrived in Las Vegas losers of two of their last three games and having failed to score a point in the second half of each of their last three games. When the Chiefs fell behind quickly, 14-0, there was likely panic running through the Chiefs' Nation. Then a funny thing happened, Patrick Mahomes became Patrick Mahomes once again. The reining MVP quickly turned things around and the Chiefs tied the game by halftime. The second half was more of the same as the Chiefs' shutout streak ended on their way to a 31-17 victory.

“We're so used to Pat scoring 30 points a game,” Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said. “We've been so spoiled with that as a team. It might not have started (this season) the way we wanted it to start, but as this offense continues to play, they're going to continue to get better. We're going to get back in that rhythm of Pat scoring 30.”

Mahomes finished with 298 yards passing and two touchdowns in the game while head coach Andy Reid won his 125th game as coach of the Chiefs to establish a new team record. Running back Isiah Pacheco had a big game as well, rushing for two touchdowns as the Chiefs' offense started to look more like the offense that helped the team win the Super Bowl last season. Wide receiver Rashee Rice caught eight ball for 107 yards and a TD in the game as well.

The Chiefs hope their offense is now back in gear as they head to the frozen tundra of Green Bay on Sunday night. The Chiefs are 8th in the NFL in total offense this season. They are 17th on the ground and seventh through the air. The Chiefs have done a great job of keeping drives alive this season, ranked fourth in third down conversions. Defensively, the Chiefs are fourth in total defense this season. They are 28th against the run and 13th against the pass. The Chiefs have turned the ball over more than they'd like this season, ranked 23rd in turnover differential. They are 19th in penalties per game as well.

Key Injuries: LB N. Bolton (wrist), RB J. McKinnon (Groin) are questionable. WR K. Toney (knee) is probable.

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Just Parlays, 2-13, $1157
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Michael Briggs, 28-19, $746The Green Bay Packers faced a near must-win situation on Thanksgiving Day against the Lions in Detroit. Quarterback Jordan Love delivered one of his best games of the season in a 29-22 win over the first-place Lions. Love tied a career-high with three touchdowns and kept the Packers very much in the playoff hunt with the critical win on the holiday.

“It was something we put in this week that we thought was going to work,” said Love, who had to reassure coach Matt LaFleur to stick with the first call when he had second thoughts about it on the morning of the game. “We were confident in it.”

The Packers never trailed in the game and staved off a Lions comeback in the second half after building a 29-14 lead. Love finished the game 22-of-32 for 268 yards including one each to two of the Packers' rookie skill players, Jayden Reed and Tucker Kraft. Love would eventually seal the win with a career-long 37-yard run late in the fourth quarter to seal the Packers' fifth win of the season.

The Packers come into this matchup ranked 18th in total offense this season. They are 21st running the ball and 16th in passing the ball thus far. Like Kansas City, the Packers have done a nice job staying on the field on offense. They rank 7th in the NFL in third down conversions. Defensively, the Packers are just 18th in total defense this season. They are 23rd against the run but are 9th against the pass, which is critical against Mahomes and the Chiefs' passing attack. The Packers are just 22nd in getting teams off the field on third down. They are 16th in turnover differential but have really struggled with penalties, ranked 30th in the league.

Key Injuries: DB R. Rochell (calf), LB R. Gary (shoulder), DL K. Clark (shoulder), WR J. Reed (chest), RB A. Dillon (groin), CB E. Stokes (hamstring), LB D. Campbell (neck), TE J. Deguara (hip), WR D. Wicks (concussion), RB A. Jones (knee) and S R. Ford (bicep), CB J. Alexander (shoulder), and S D. Savage (calf) are all questionable.

Best Bets for this Game

Insiders Status:

It is December in Green Bay so it will certainly be cold. The current forecast is relatively mild for Green Bay with temps expected in the low 30s. Still, the cold air and slight wind could limit field goals from long range so we will either see the two teams punt when they are in questionable field goal range or try to convert on fourth down. The Packers have also scored 20 or fewer points at home in four of five games. As noted above, the Chiefs have not been putting up major points in the second half this season so they could get a lead and pound the ball at the Packers to keep the lead. I like the under in the cold and with a Packers' team that is still inconsistent in putting up points.