Then it was down to three. The Green Bay Packers will make the trip to the Midwest ready to take on a Kansas City Chiefs’ team that has been hobbled and humbled with injuries this season, looking to extend their pursuit of perfection. The Packers have won their first 13 games, and with a win will earn the opportunity to complete an undefeated regular season within their own division as the sports betting favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champions this year.
Green Bay Packers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday December 18, 2011 – 1:00 PM ET
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
NFL Betting Lines: Green Bay Packers – 14
While the Chiefs have earned just a single win in their past six games, interim head coach Romeo Crennel is hoping his troops will fight for the end as he looks to prove that he can be the leading man on the Kansas City sidelines in the wake of Todd Haley’s firing this past week.
Bet On Packers Chiefs Preview: Green Bay Packers
The most important thing to understand about the Packers’ streak, is that they have never lost their sense of focus and control, as even in the closest of victories this team doesn’t panic. A big part of that is the calm demeanor of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has thrown for 4,125 passing yards and 39 touchdowns with just six interceptions to date. Rodgers calmly led Green Bay down the field and set up the game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter at the New York Giants, their closest encounter this season in a year where they have already registered seven double-digit wins. Head coach Mike McCarthy would still like to see his defense come together against a relatively weak offense with the postseason right around the corner, with a focus on the secondary.
Bet On Packers Chiefs Preview: Kansas City Chiefs
According to the Chiefs’ recent point totals, the Packers’ defense should have no problem shutting them down, as they have averaged just 5.5 points over their past 10 games. The fact that Kansas City was held to a field goal in two of their past three losses is testament to how hurt this team is up front, and it will be interesting to see if Tyler Palko remains the starter ahead of Kyle Orton. The trio of Jackie Battle, Thomas Jones, and Dexter McCluster wasn’t able to get anything going last week, but with Crennel at the helm this week they should get a ton of opportunities to pound the rock as massive underdogs according to the sportsbook odds.
Bet On Packers Chiefs Preview: Outlook & Pick
As much as you want to root for Crennel as he gets another chance to be a head coach, the talent just isn’t there in Kansas City, and they are playing a Packers’ team that has yet to lose a game. While the Chiefs will be happy to avoid another embarrassment, Green Bay is chasing history and it is hard to imagine Rodgers and the offense slowing down just three wins away from perfection.
Bet On Packers Chiefs Pick: Green Bay Packers