Packers defense faces monstrous challenge

By GERY WOELFEL

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce has been the heart and soul of the Kansas City Chiefs for years.

But it’s debatable whether the Chiefs’ dynamic duo has been more relied upon than this season.

The Chiefs, who play the Green Bay Packers Sunday at Lambeau Field, are 8-3, the second best record in the AFC..

If not for the extraordinary talents of Mahomes and Kelce, it’s highly doubtful the Chiefs would be in this enviable position.

Mahmes and Kelce have virtually carried the Chiefs’ offense, which has been hindered by an unproductive receiving corps and erratic and almt equally-unproductive offensive line.

Mahomas has been, for the most part, performing at his ultra-high level and capable of shredding an opponent’s secondary.

Just ask the Los Angeles Chargers. Mahomes lit them up, passing for 424 yards and four touchdowns in their Oct. 22 matchup.

As for Kelce, he has been, by far, the Chiefs only reliable receiver. Kelce, who has gained more attention this season for his courtship of mega-star Taylor Swift than for his outstanding play on the field, has caught 70 passes this season. That’s 26 catches more than than the Chiefs’ next productive receiver, rookie Rashee Rice.

Primarily because of the Mahomes and Kelce combination, the Chiefs have the seventh-best passing game in the NFL, averaging 258.5 yards.

If the Packers hope to startle the six-point favorite Chiefs, defensive coordinator Joe Barry will have to concoct another shrewd game-plan, one that is focuses on keeping Mahomes and Kelce in check.

That may be asking a lot as Barry’s group is beaten and battered, especially in the secondary. Somehow, some way, that makeshift secondary will have to perform as well, or even better, than it has admirably done in recent weeks.

Prediction: Chiefs 27, Packers 20.