Hypothetical discussions about pursuing the perfect season can finally be put to bed, as the Green Bay Packers lost for the first time in a year, falling to the Kansas City Chiefs 14-19. The Chiefs improved to 6-8, while the blemish drops the Packers record to 13-1, but still well in control in the NFC.
Kyle Orton out-dueled Aaron Rodgers, who had his worst game of the season. Rodgers looked human, as he completed 17 of 35 passes for 235 yards and 1 TD. Orton had an excellent game, as he completed 23 of 31 passes for 299 yards.
The Chiefs moved the ball well, totaling 139 rushing yards, and outgained the Packers 438 yards to 315. While the Chiefs had trouble getting in the end zone, their four field goals and one touchdown, a 1-yard run by Jackie Battle late in the fourth quarter, were enough to seal the victory.
Kansas City controlled the clock, eating up over 36 minutes, and neither team lost a turnover in the game.
While the Packers would have certainly liked to produce a perfect season, the loss in some ways takes some of the pressure off them down the stretch. They can still lock up home field advantage with a victory next weekend, and then consider resting some starters in the final game of the season without the mental torment associated with not going for the perfect season.
A rest game in Week 17 followed by a bye week can allow them to come into the playoffs better rested and healthier than they might have been if they continued to go for the perfect season.
And, perhaps most importantly, Nick Buoniconti and Mercury Morris can finally pop the champagne with the rest of the 1972 Miami Dolphins. Dan Marino’s 1984 passing mark may fall this year, but the 1972 Dolphins record survives for at least another season.
