Recap: The reigning AFC West champions made their first prime time appearance of the season as Andy Reid’s 4-0 club took on the Indianapolis Colts in a playoff rematch from a year ago. The team entered the week ranked next-to-last in the league in rushing defense and the Colts exploited this weakness, running for 180 yards on 45 attempts. It also enabled Frank Reich’s club to hold the football for 37:15.
When the Chiefs had the pigskin, they weren’t able to do much with it as quarterback Patrick Mahomes — who threw for 321 yards and one score — was limping on several occasions. The fact that the Chiefs’ ground attack managed only 36 yards certainly didn’t help.
Next Week: The Chiefs are home for a second consecutive week as they take on the Houston Texans. Including playoffs, it’s just the third time in 11 meetings that Arrowhead Stadium will play host in this series, the last time resulting in a 17-16 win for Kansas City in 2013. The Chiefs are 4-1 overall in this setting under Andy Reid.
Playoff hopes: It was an interesting day in the AFC West as the Raiders and Broncos came up with wins while the Chiefs and Chargers came up short. Kansas City’s shaky run defense was on full display in prime time and Steve Spagnuolo’s unit looked helpless against the Colts’ defensive front. And a hobbled Mahomes didn’t help as well.
Recap: Off their first loss of the season, the Packers would be without star wide receiver Davante Adams for this intriguing matchup with the Cowboys at Arlington. But that didn’t seem to matter as along came Aaron Jones, who enjoyed a monster afternoon at AT&T Stadium. He would total 192 yards from scrimmage and reach the end zone four times, all via the ground.
Aaron Rodgers threw for 238 yards without a score or interception. And Mike Pettine’s defensive unit, despite some shaky moments in the fourth quarter, finished with three sacks and three interceptions of Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott. Green Bay owned the football for 36:43 in the 10-point win.
Next Week: The Pack host their longtime rivals from the Motor City looking to snap a four-game losing streak in the series. In fact, Green Bay is 1-3 in its last four home meetings vs. the Lions dating back to 2015. A year ago, the Packers fell at Detroit, 31-23, in Week 5 and were humbled at Lambeau Field, 31-0, on the season’s final Sunday.
Playoff hopes: While there were some anxious moments down the stretch, the Packers more than made amends for their home loss vs. the Eagles more than a week ago. The Green Bay defense was back to its opportunistic ways and the offense was again very balanced. And the Pack is now alone atop the NFC North after five weeks of play.
Next: Nos. 2 and 1