Grading KC Chiefs vs. Packers: Best game yet for defense, but woes continue on offense

The Chiefs took advantage of the Aaron Rodgers-less Green Bay Packers and won a marquee matchup Sunday, 13-7.

But it wasn’t easy. The Chiefs’ offense never got comfortable and a late Packers touchdown put pressure on the Chiefs to come up with a couple of first downs on their final drive. The Chiefs improved to 5-4, clearing the .500 mark for the first time since winning their opener.

Next: The Chiefs return to AFC West action at the Las Vegas Raiders in a Sunday Night Football clash. The game will be on NBC (Ch. 41), kicks off at 7:20 p.m. (Central).

KC STAR OF THE GAME

Second-year punter Tommy Townsend played his best game in a Chiefs uniform. He kicked too often, for sure. But when called upon a season-high six times, he averaged 56.8 yards per kick. Two of his punts were muffed, one recovered by the Chiefs. That takeaway resulted in a field goal. The Packers started their possessions at the 2, 12, 15 and 8 because of Townsend and the coverage team.

REPORT CARD

Passing offense: D

No interceptions, so that’s a positive. In fact, no turnovers for the first time since beating the Browns in the opener. But Patrick Mahomes and the passing game were mostly off-kilter and never found a rhythm. Everyone contributed.

Mahomes chose not to find an open Travis Kelce over the middle for about 20 and instead threw deep into coverage for Tyreek Hill. Kelce and Mecole Hardman dropped passes that would have resulted in first downs. Hill slipped and missed a catch. Hill got an excellent release and looked open for a long gain in the fourth quarter,

But Mahomes’ touch wasn’t there. Finally, when the Chiefs got possession after the Packers’ touchdown, Mahomes found Kelce for 22 yards, and the throw that won the game — 13 yards to Hill with Mahomes scrambling to his right. Mahomes finished 20 of 37 for 166 yards and a touchdown.

Rushing offense: C

Darrel Williams was at his best on the Chiefs’ first series, when he carried seven times, including an 11-yard power run on fourth and 1. He couldn’t get in on two attempts from the 1, but Mahomes to Kelce completed the drive. The Chiefs went away from the run after the opening drive and never returned to it with much success. The Chiefs could not run effectively when they wanted to bleed the clock in the final minutes.

Passing defense: A

This was Jordan Love, making his career first start, and the Chiefs excelled in making the second-year pro uncomfortable.

Great defensive call by Steve Spagnuolo to bring a heavy blitz on fourth and 3 from the Chiefs’ 38 that forced a hurried incompletion. The Chiefs took over with 30 seconds remaining and got a Harrison Butker field goal.

The Packers were driving in the fourth quarter when L’Jarius Sneed came up with his first interception of the season. Spagunuolo continued to bring pressure with multiple blitzes. It was precisely the way a defense should attack an inexperienced quarterback.

Newcomer Melvin Ingram got into the act from the first series with a pressure that produced an errant throw. On the Packers’ touchdown pass, there was confusion and Tyrann Mathieu was agitated on the sideline.

Rushing defense: C

The Packers had a chance to do damage here with Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon but without Rodgers, the Chiefs could key on the running game. Still the Packers finished with 122 rushing yards.

Special teams: A

It was a Dave Toub day. The Chiefs’ special teams were excellent, which has to please the unit’s coordinator. Alex Okafor used his 6-foot-4 frame to block Mason Crosby’s 37 yard field goal attempt, the team’s first block of the season.

Tommy Townsend boomed 54 yard punt that was downed at the 2. His 51-yarder touched the toe of Packers return man Malik Taylor. The ball was recovered by Chris Lammons. The Chiefs turned the game’s first turnover into Harrison Butker’s 24-yard field goal.

Butker, who nailed a 64-yarder during pre-game warmups, drilled a 55-yard field goal on the Chiefs’ final play of the first half.