Packers Look to Nab First Win at Lambeau against Chiefs

The Green Bay Packers have never defeated the Kansas City Chiefs at Lambeau Field. 

The last time Kansas City played in Green Bay was in 2003 and the Chiefs handed the Packers a 40-34 loss in overtime. Green Bay is 0-3 all-time at Lambeau Field when facing Kansas City. However, Green Bay is looking for its 11th straight home win when the Chiefs visit Lambeau Monday night.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has faced the Chiefs and is 1-1. Rodgers and the Packers defeated Kansas City, 33-22 in 2007, but fell in 2011, 19-14. That game in 2011, of course as you may know, ended the Packers undefeated season. So, call it a revenge game if you might. But, I'm sure Green Bay is just looking to improve to 3-0 and hand Kansas City its second loss of the season. Monday's rematch is also a match-up of the first two teams to appear in Super Bowl I, where Green Bay knocked off Kansas City, 35-10.

Going into Monday night's game on ESPN, the Packers are a bit banged up. Morgan Burnett, Bryan Bulaga and Demetri Goodson are all out. Burnett is the biggest blow, as he will be missed covering the Chiefs' run game led by Jamaal Charles. Burnett missed Week 1 and the Packers allowed Matt Forte to rush for 141 yards. Charles has rushed for 182 yards and a touchdown in two games in 2015. Last week against Denver, Charles rushed the ball 21 times for 125 yards and a touchdown. Though he did have a costly fumble that lost the game for Kansas City.

Don Barclay is Bulaga's replacement and he and the Packers' offensive line will have their hands full with the Chiefs defensive line led by Justin Houston. Houston already has recorded three sacks in two games for Kansas City. 

The other match-up problems on defense for the Packers are tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. Kelce has caught 10 receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns, while Maclin has caught nine passes for 109 yards. Maclin's still looking for his first touchdown as a wide receiver in Kansas City. However, the problem is a Chiefs wideout hasn't caught a touchdown since Week 14 of the 2013 season. 

Aaron Rodgers has a streak of his own, as he will try to extend his streak without an interception at home Monday night. Rodgers hasn't thrown a pick at Lambeau since Week 13 of 2012. 

A good sign for Green Bay is that Eddie Lacy and Davante Adams have both been upgraded to probable. Randall Cobb, Aaron Ripkowski and Sam Shields are also probable, while Mike Neal and Sean Richardson are both questionable. James Starks did a fine job in coming in for Lacy last week, rushing for 95 yards. I'm guessing Lacy starts and is limited with Starks receiving some carries against Kansas City.

Kansas City has eight players, Eric Fisher, Jeff Allen, Demetrius Harris, Josh Mauga, Donald Stephenson, De'Anthony Thomas, Charcandrick, Wilson and Albert Wilson listed as probable for Monday night's game.

The Packers should be able to score on the Chiefs, as Kansas City is giving up 25.5 points and 374.5 yards per game in 2015. Of the 374.5 passing yards the Chiefs have surrendered, 295 of them have been through the air. Green Bay is allowing 20.0 points and 369.5 points per game. So, Monday evening's game at Lambeau could be a shutout between the two teams.

A player to watch for the Packers is James Jones, who has caught a touchdown in both games and has three on the season. Kansas City rookie Marcus Peters should have an intriguing match-up with Cobb. The tight ends could be the X-factor. Kelce is one of the NFL's best, while Richard Rodgers is in his second season with Green Bay. Richard Rodgers caught three passes for 23 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 against Seattle.

The Packers and Chiefs kick-off on Monday Night Football at 7:30 p.m. CDT on ESPN and ESPN 99.1.

Sam Tastad will have stories on the Packers all season with pre-and-post game previews. Follow him on Twitter @samtastad and email him at tastadsam@gmail.com.