The Kansas City Chiefs will not let reigning league MVP Patrick Mahomes play on Sunday in order to get more time to heal his injured knee.
Patrick Mahomes Not Ready to Go
Reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes will not play on Sunday Night against the Green Bay Packers. The team said it was their decision, not his as the young QB seems eager to get back. Who can blame him? It’s not just another game on Sunday, it’s Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Together, Mahomes and Rodgers are easily two of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL. It’s a prime time matchup the world wanted to see.
Instead it will be Aaron Rodgers and Matt Moore, which all of a sudden places a lot more pressure on the Chiefs very shaky defense. Their pass rush which is the strength of their defensive unit, will have to be at it’s best on Sunday.
Green Bay Looks to Capitalize on Mahomes Absence
It would have been nice to see Aaron Rodgers duel it out with Patrick Mahomes but the truth is, Rodgers would probably prefer it this way. He is a veteran who is chasing his place in NFL history. That means Super Bowls and if the Packers can continue the way they’ve been playing, they will keep inching closer to that number one overall seed in the NFC. Good luck to anyone that has to go win in Green Bay in January.
As for now, Rodgers and the Packers will continue to try and get better under first year head coach Matt Lafleur. The relationship between him and Rodgers always gets a lot of attention. It is nothing like the bond Andy Reid has with Patrick Mahomes. The reality is it never will be which is fine. Notice how you don’t hear any noise about their relationship right now. It’s true what they say about winning curing all.
When Will Mahomes Be Back?
There is no timetable for his return but the likelihood is that Patrick Mahomes would be back for the Chiefs next game against the Vikings. If the possibility existed that he could play this week, he will probably play next week unless he suffers some kind of setback. A loss on Sunday Night to the Packers would definitely speed up his return to the team.
The initial diagnosis on Mahomes was three weeks which is why people have been so surprised to see him on the practice field this week.
In the end the Chiefs took the cautious approach. Despite being at practice during the week, Matt Moore was the one taking first team snaps.
How Do the Chiefs Win Without Patrick Mahomes
They Chiefs will need to establish their running game. Even without Mahomes they still have a ton of talent on offense. The Packers have been susceptible to the run, so don’t be surprised if the Chiefs can find success there.
The real weapon the Chiefs have is the ability to bring pressure without having to blitz. If they can get Aaron Rodgers on the ground not give him time in the pocket, they might pull out a win without their franchise quarterback.
