Packers vs. Chiefs Sunday Night Football highlights: Green Bay pulls off upset of defending champs
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs had several chances in the fourth quarter to take their first lead of the game against the Green Bay Packers.
But the defending champions could not get the job done on the road.
Quarterback Jordan Love threw for three touchdowns, including two to receiver Christian Watson, and the Packers outlasted the Chiefs, 27-19, at Lambeau Field on "Sunday Night Football."
Mahomes had the ball in the final 1:09 of the game, and his final Hail Mary throw hit the deck as Packers fans began celebrating as time expired.
The Chiefs played the final 40 seconds without running back Isiah Pacheco, who was their best player offensively with 123 total yards and a touchdown, but was ejected after he punched Packers defensive back Keisean Nixon.
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Kansas City had three opportunities in the fourth quarter to take the lead, but Mahomes was unable to deliver. He also threw an interception with 5:14 remaining on a night he finished 21 of 33 for 210 yards with a touchdown pass.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had four catches for 81 yards in a game singer Taylor Swift attended.
Love finished 25 of 36 for 267 yards, while Watson added 71 yards receiving before leaving with a hamstring injury. Romeo Doubs led Green Bay with 72 yards receiving, while running back AJ Dillion had 73 yards rushing for the Packers.
Green Bay has won four of their last five games, and improved to 6-6 this season.
Kansas City falls to 8-4, and fourth in the AFC standings behind the Miami Dolphins (9-3), Baltimore Ravens (9-3) and Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3), who play the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. — Safid Deen
Winners and losers from the Packers' win over the Chiefs
WINNERS
Jordan Love looking like franchise QB: Love is in the midst of the best stretch of his career. He looks more comfortable and playing with confidence within Matt LaFleur offense.
Love went 25-of-36 passing for 267 yards and three touchdowns, resulting in a 118.6 passer rating in the victory.
Love’s amassed 857 yards, eight touchdowns and zero interceptions the past three games.
The Packers quarterback is looking more and more like a franchise QB.
Christian Watson shines before late injury: The speedy Packers wide receiver was a stud Sunday night. Watson’s speed and size presented a problem for Kansas City. He had a team-high seven catches, for 71 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Unfortunately, Watson suffered a hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter and had to be assisted off the field.
Packers defense contains Chiefs: The Packers defense deserves credit for their performance. Green Bay forced the Chiefs to go 0-2 in the red zone in the first half. In the fourth quarter when the Chiefs were threatening to score a go-ahead touchdown, Patrick Mahomes’ pass was picked off by Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon, who seemingly ran a better route than wide receiver Skyy Moore, who was the intended target.
Packers linebacker Quay Walker had a game-high 13 tackles and cornerback Corey Ballentine tallied 10 tackles. The Packers sacked Mahomes three times and held him to 210 passing yards and a 79.1 passer rating.
Rookie kicker Anders Carlson: Anders Carlson made a clutch 48-yard field goal with 1:09 remaining in the fourth quarter to give Green Bay a 27-19 advantage.
Carlson made both of his field goals in the win.
The rookie converted 15 of 19 field goal attempts coming into Week 13.
Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars: The Dolphins (9-3), Ravens (9-3) and Jaguars (8-3) have moved a game ahead of the Chiefs in the AFC standings as a result of Kansas City’s loss. Jacksonville hosts the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
On a positive note, the Chiefs are still well ahead of their AFC West rivals. The Chiefs are the only team in their division above .500 and are well on their way to an eighth straight AFC West title.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco: Pacheco ran with power and authority. The Chiefs running back was tough for the Packers to bring down as he ran north and south for a total of 110 yards on the ground and one touchdown.
Pacheco has an uncanny ability to almost always move forward after contact.
The Chiefs running back got ejected with 57 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter for throwing a punch.
LOSERS
Chiefs' wide receivers, passing offense: Chiefs receivers have been maligned this season, and they aren’t doing much to quiet the criticism.
Rashee Rice was the only Chiefs wide receiver with more than three receptions. The Chiefs' entire pass offense is being carried by Rice, tight end Travis Kelce and running back Isiah Pacheco, the only players with three or more receptions in the loss.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling had two catches for 25 yards. Skyy Moore had one catch for 5 yards. Kadarius Toney had zero catches on one target.
Mahomes’ lone interception came on a pass intended for wideout Skyy Moore in the fourth quarter where there appeared to be some miscommunication.
Mahomes and the Chiefs are getting little to nothing from players outside of Rice, Kelce and Pacheco.
Rice, Kelce and Pacheco had 158 of Kansas City’s 210 receiving yards.
Tough injuries for Chiefs: Bryan Cook was ruled out after a gruesome left ankle injury. The Chiefs free safety was visibly emotional as he was carted off the field.
The Chiefs also lost linebacker Drue Tranquill to a concussion.
Officials miss pass interference: Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been involved in a few big late-game moments this season. He was involved in another late in the fourth quarter. The officials missed a blatant pass interference when the Packers’ Carrington Valentine appeared to grab Valdes-Scantling as the receiver was making a play on the football.
The officials also had a controversial no call on Kansas City’s final desperation play of the game, but that no-call wasn’t as egregious. — Tyler Dragon
Packers vs. Chiefs highlights
The Packers pulled off an upset of the defending Super Bowl champions, but not before some late-game theatrics.
Chiefs' final Hail Mary attempt falls incomplete
Facing a fourth-and 10 from the Packers' 33-yard line with five seconds left, Patrick Mahomes' final heave into the end zone was batted down incomplete.
The Packers pulled off an upset of the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, improving to 6-6 on the season and staying in the thick of the NFC playoff race. Kansas City missed an opportunity to remain well-positioned for home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. — Jim Reineking
Isiah Pacheco ejected for throwing punch
Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco was ejected with 40 seconds left after punching Packers defensive back Keisean Nixon during a wild sequence.
Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice was down by contact after a 10-yard catch and run, but Packers safety Corey Ballentine came up with the football after Rice hit the deck.
As Ballentine returned the ball, Pacheco punched Nixon.
Pacheco was the Chiefs’ best player on Sunday night, finishing with 18 carries for 110 yards and a rushing touchdown, with three catches for 13 yards. — Safid Deen
Packers 27, Chiefs 19: Green Bay Anders Carlson field goal extends lead late
Right down the middle.
Packers rookie kicker Anders Carlson kicked a 48-yard field goal to give Green Bay a 27-19 lead with 1:09 remaining.
The Chiefs defense delivered as defensive end Chris Jones sacked Jordan Love to limit the Packers to three points on the drive.
But the damage is done.
Green Bay is up by eight points, while Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have another chance to at least tie this game in the final minute. — Safid Deen
Packers WR Christian Watson hurt on first-down play
Packers receiver Christian Watson looked like he was going to take a knee after getting a first down.
But Watson grabbed for the back of his right leg in the hamstring area after a pivotal first-down catch late in the fourth quarter.
Watson went down with 3:08 left, and with the Packers charging at the Kansas City 24-yard line.
He was helped off the field by trainers. — Safid Deen
Patrick Mahomes picked off by Keisean Nixon
The game’s first turnover couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Chiefs.
Patrick Mahomes lofted a pass for receiver Skyy Moore but Packers defensive back Keisean Nixon ran right under it to intercept it.
It was a slot fade that didn’t go Kansas City’s way.
There’s 5:14 remaining, so plenty of time for the Packers to put this game away or the Chiefs to comeback.
This next drive is crucial for the Chiefs defense. — Safid Deen
Packers 24, Chiefs 19: Green Bay settles for Anders Carlson field goal
It wasn’t how Green Bay wanted this drive to end, especially with who’s on the other sideline.
The Packers settled for a 40-yard field goal by Anders Carlson to take a 24-19 lead with 6:03 left in the game.
Jordan Love and the Packers would’ve preferred a touchdown with Patrick Mahomes and the defending champion Chiefs coming back on the field on offense. But Love was sacked by Chiefs defensive lineman Mike Danna in the red zone.
Love found receiver Malik Heath for a shifty 15-yard gain to extend the drive. But Green Bay had to settle for three points. — Safid Deen
Rare sight in this game: Back-to-back punts
The Chiefs, who have trailed all game, had a chance to take the lead. And they had their first three-and-out of the game.
Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid were upset after receiver Richie James fell during his route in the middle of the field.
The Packers have the ball again after their offense stalled out. — Safid Deen
Packers drive stalls and Patrick Mahomes gets ball back
The Packers offense stalled out at an inopportune time early in the fourth quarter.
Jordan Love was able to run for a first down and find receiver Christian Watson for another.
But the Packers are punting the ball back to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs after a delay of game penalty and three straight incompletions soured their drive.
The Chiefs, who have trailed all game, have a chance to take the lead. — Safid Deen
Chiefs free safety Bryan Cook ruled out
Chiefs ruled out free safety Bryan Cook due to a left ankle injury.
Cook was injured as he went in for a tackle on Packers running back AJ Dillon. The NBC broadcast declined to show a replay because of the severity of Cook’s lower-body injury.
Cook stayed on the ground for several moments before he was carted off the field. The safety was visibly emotional as he exited. — Tyler Dragon
Packers 21, Chiefs 19: Patrick Mahomes helps KC trim Green Bay's lead early in fourth quarter
The Chiefs outgained the Packers 149 to 67 in total yards in the third quarter, but trailed 21-12 entering the final period.
However, the Chiefs cut into their deficit when they capped off an 11-play, 66-yard drive with a 2-yard Patrick Mahomes touchdown pass to tight end Noah Gray to make the score 21-19 with 14:51 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Mahomes now has 174 yards and one touchdown in the game. The Chiefs are 2-4 in the red zone.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco has produced a game-high 108 rushing yards and a touchdown. — Tyler Dragon
Packers 21, Chiefs 12: Jordan Love connects with Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson for big plays
Jordan Love is in a groove. And the Packers receivers are making plays for him, too.Christian Watson climbed the ladder and went up to catch a 12-yard touchdown pass from Love to help the Packers extend their lead to 21-12 with 5:23 left in the third quarter.
It’s Watson’s second touchdown of the game, and the third for Love.
Love heaved a 33-yard pass two plays earlier to receiver Romeo Dobbs, who secured the catch while surrounded by three Chiefs defenders.
It was an ideal response after the Chiefs scored their first touchdown of the game on the previous drive. — Safid Deen
Chiefs free safety Bryan Cook carted off field
Chiefs free safety Bryan Cook was carted off the field in the third quarter with an apparent lower-body injury.
Cook was injured as he went in for a tackle on Packers running back AJ Dillon. The NBC broadcast declined to show a replay because of the severity of Cook’s lower-body injury.
Cook stayed on the ground for several moments before he was carted off the field. The safety was visibly emotional as he exited.
The Chiefs are now dealing with multiple injuries on defense. Linebacker Drue Tranquill was ruled out of the game due to a concussion.
Cook had a team-high seven tackles at the time of his injury. — Tyler Dragon
Packers 14, Chiefs 12: Isiah Pacheco gets KC into end zone
The Kansas City Chiefs aren’t going away easily.
Running back Isiah Pacheco re-entered the game after a quick scare to score a 1-yard rushing touchdown to help the Chiefs narrow the score 14-12. Pacheco’s run on the two-point conversion was unsuccessful.
Still, the Chiefs have their first touchdown of the night against the Packers.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had catches of 21 and 27 yards from Patrick Mahomes to fuel the drive. — Safid Deen
Packers take 14-6 lead into halftime locker room
The Packers had as good of a first half as they could’ve hoped.
Green Bay scored touchdowns on its first two drives of the first half.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love was efficient throwing the football. He completed 13-of-16 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Packers wide receiver Christian Watson had three catches for 37 yards and a touchdown.
The Packers defense sacked Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on two separate trips in the red zone to force Kansas City field goals. The Chiefs went 0-2 in the red zone in the first half.
Mahomes has 83 passing yards in the first half. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has seven carries for 54 yards.
However, the story of the first half was Green Bay’s surprising start. The Packers outgained the Chiefs 193 to 138 in total yards, and Green Bay’s defense sacked Mahomes three times. — Tyler Dragon
Packers 14, Chiefs 6: KC settles for another field goal
Kansas City’s promising drive flamed out in the red zone because of a sack for the second time in a row.
On third-and-9 from the Green Bay 11-yard line, Patrick Mahomes was taken down by Preston Smith and Devonte Wyatt.
The Chiefs had to settle for a 34-yard field goal by Harrison Butker.
Butker’s made both his field goals in the first half. The Chiefs are currently 0-2 in the red zone in the first half.
Mahomes has been sacked three times in the first half. — Tyler Dragon
Packers 14, Chiefs 3: Jordan Love-to-Christian Watson connection adds to Green Bay's early lead
The Packers mean business.
Jordan Love found receiver Christian Watson for a 9-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-3 lead with 10:39 left until halftime.
Love connected with receiver Dontayvion Wicks for a 27-yard gain during the drive to spark the score.
Love has started 10 of 11 for 109 yards with two touchdowns. — Safid Deen
Packers 7, Chiefs 3: KC settles for field goal on its opening drive
Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to first and goal from the 5-yard line. But Mahomes was sacked by Packers edge rusher Lukas Van Ness on first and goal, and taken down again by defensive linemen Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary on third and goal. As a result of the two sacks, the Chiefs had to settle for a short 34-yard field goal by Harrison Butker to cut their deficit.
Mahomes had 33 passing yards and nine rushing yards during Kansas City’s opening drive. — Tyler Dragon
Packers 7, Chiefs 0: Opening drive capped by Ben Sims' first NFL touchdown
The Packers made the most of their longest opening drive of the season.Packers quarterback Jordan Love used play action to find tight end Ben Sims for a 1-yard touchdown pass to take an early 7-0 lead.
It was the first career touchdown for Sims, who celebrated with a Lambeau Leap into the crowd.
The Packers used 13 plays to gain 75 yards and milked the clock in a nearly eight-minute drive. — Safid Deen
Is Lil Wayne a Packers fan?
Yes.
In a 2017 interview with the NFL Network, rapper Lil Wayne explained that when the Packers played Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans in 1997, "my pops went to the Super Bowl and, when he came home, he had a bunch of Green Bay everything: towels, cups and all that type of stuff. … I had to use that cup every day and use that towel every other day, so I became a Packer fan like that."
Lil Wayne has made multiple appearances at Lambeau Field since then, and narrated NBC's intro for the Chiefs-Packers "Sunday Night Football" game. — Jim Reineking
What time is Chiefs vs. Packers?
- Chiefs at Packers will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The game will air on NBC and Peacock. The game is also available to stream for free on Fubo.
Chiefs vs. Packers: Predictions, picks and odds
The Chiefs are favorites to defeat the Packers, according to BetMGM NFL odds.
- Spread: Chiefs (-5.5)
- Moneyline: Chiefs (-250); Packers (+200)
- Over/under: 43.5
USA TODAY Sports’ staff picks for this game:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Chiefs
- Tyler Dragon: Chiefs
- Victoria Hernandez: Chiefs
- Jordan Mendoza: Ravens
- Jarrett Bell: Chiefs
- Safid Deen: Chiefs
- Nate Davis: Chiefs
- Chris Bumbaca: Chiefs
- Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Chiefs
Taylor Swift arrives at Lambeau Field
In what could be great news for Travis Kelce's stat line Sunday night (as well as his fantasy football owners), global celebrity Taylor Swift has arrived at legendary Lambeau Field for the "Sunday Night Football" game between the Chiefs and Packers. — Jim Reineking
Simone Biles also in attendance at Lambeau Field
The gymnastics 🐐 Simone Biles also is in attendance at legendary Lambeau Field for Sunday night's game. Biles' husband, Jonathan Owens, made a big play in the Packers' surprise win against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. — Jim Reineking
➤ Are Simone Biles and Taylor Swift friends? Here's the history between the two icons
Packers fans help Simone Biles handle cold weather
Simone Biles, Olympic champion gymnast and wife of Green Packers safety Jonathan Owens, weighed in on a cold and snowy Halloween with a tweet that said simply, “I’m NOT built for cold weather.”
But cold-hardy folks were quick to step up and offer some tips to Biles for the far chillier weather still to come. Heaven Daniels, the wife of former Packers defensive tackle Mike Daniels, had some of the best advice: Tap your friendly local deer hunter for the tricks of the trade. — Kendra Meinert, Green Bay Press-Gazette
How many Chiefs games has Taylor Swift attended?
Sunday night will be the fifth Chiefs game Taylor Swift has attended this season. Swift has gone to the following Chiefs games:
- Sept. 24 vs. Bears
- Oct. 1 at Jets
- Oct. 12 vs. Broncos
- Oct. 22 vs. Chargers
- Dec. 3 at Packers
Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce dating?
It hasn't been a "Cruel Summer" for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who has taken the pop culture world by storm with his budding romance with pop superstar Taylor Swift. In fact, it's been a modern-day "Love Story."
The power couple first broke the internet when Swift accepted Kelce's invitation to watch him play at Arrowhead Stadium in September after he watched her rock the same stadium during her wildly popular "Eras Tour" this summer. The duo have continued to captivate headlines since, with Kelce even being asked if he's in love with Swift.
"I'm going to keep my personal relationship personal," a coy Kelce said.
Read the full timeline of the Swift-Kelce romance here.
What is the Green Bay weather forecast for Sunday night?
It's a December evening in Wisconsin, so it'll be chilly. But, it's not unbearably cold. Downright balmy if you're a native.
According to AccuWeather, temperatures are expected to hover in the high-20s/low-30s with a slight chance of precipitation (14%) during the game.
It did snow at Lambeau Field this afternoon before the game.
Chiefs vs. Packers inactives: RBs Jerick McKinnon, Aaron Jones out
Both the Chiefs and Packers will be without key players in their respective backfields as Jerick McKinnon (groin) and Aaron Jones (knee) will miss Sunday night's game.
Jones is inactive for fifth time this season, and second straight week after missing the Thanksgiving Day win at Detroit.
Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder) will miss his fourth straight game.
Chiefs' inactive players:
- RB Jerick McKinnon
- CB Nic Jones
- DE BJ Thompson
- OL Mike Caliendo
- DT Neil Farrell
- DE Malik Herring
Packers' inactive players:
- CB Jaire Alexander
- RB Aaron Jones
- LB Brenton Cox Jr.
- OT Caleb Jones
- TE Josiah Deguara
- WR Samori Toure
Players who need to step it up during NFL stretch run
As the NFL season marches into December and the final six weeks, it's clear that many teams will need a little extra juice for the playoff push.
Consider Packers quarterback and the Chiefs receiving corps (but, probably mostly Rashee Rice) among the players who most need to step up during the late-season run toward the playoffs.
Patrick Mahomes can’t throw the ball and catch the ball. Chiefs QB needs teammates to step up
Patrick Mahomes is the best QB in the NFL, but even he can't do everything.
The Chiefs lead the NFL in dropped passes and the offense needs to step up if they want to repeat as champions.
Read Jarrett Bell’s full column here
Will Taylor Swift be at the Chiefs game in Green Bay?
After a week that has run the gamut from mild curiosity for some to all-out giddy speculation for others, Taylor Swift's arrival in Green Bay for "Sunday Night Football" at Lambeau Field is imminent.
Instagram account @taylorswiftjets, which tracks the pop superstar's two private jets, reported at 4:21 p.m. local time on Sunday that her 2009 Dassault Falcon 7X took off near Kansas City, Missouri, and is headed for Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport. — Kendra Meinert, Green Bay Press-Gazette
Who is Simone Biles married to?
Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in the sport's history, married Green Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens in April 2023. The happy couple made their relationship public in 2020 and announced their engagement in February 2022 when Biles posted a photo of Owens proposing to her. — Victoria Hernandez
Simone Biles celebrates Jonathan Owens touchdown
Olympic gold medal gymnast Simone Biles was certainly in the holiday spirit watching her husband, Green Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens, play against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving in Detroit.
In the game, the Packers jumped out to a 20-6 first-quarter lead thanks to a play that Owens made.
On a second-and-12 play from their own 24-yard line, Lions quarterback Jared Goff stepped up in the pocket to pass and was hit by linebacker Rashan Gary, forcing a fumble. Owens scooped up the ball and returned it 27 yards for a score for his first NFL touchdown.
Biles took to social media to celebrate, writing "THATS MY HUSBAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY MANS MY MANS MY MANSSSSS" — Scooby Axson
Chiefs vs. Packers: How to bet on 'Sunday Night Football'
Highlighting Sunday Night Football odds, the Green Bay Packers are among the best bets for NFL Week 13 as home underdogs against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers are getting 5.5 points at home, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2023.
According to the top NFL betting apps, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (+350) leads AFC players with the best NFL MVP betting odds in 2023. The Chiefs (+450) have some of the best Super Bowl betting odds.
Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Thursday Night Football odds, Monday Night Football odds and more.
If you’re new to sports betting, don’t worry. We have tips for beginners on how to place a bet online. And USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with these online sportsbooks and sports betting sites. — Richard Morin
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