Green Bay Packers: Why Loss to Kansas City Chiefs Will Help in the Long Run

After a 19-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15 of the 2011 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers are no longer undefeated, falling to 13-1.

The Packers were absolutely decimated by Kyle Orton in his first start for the 6-8 Chiefs. Orton finished the game with 299 passing yards and repeatedly led the Chiefs deep into Packer territory.

Though the defense held Kansas City mostly to field goals in the red zone, it wasn't a championship performance by any means.

But, though the chance for an undefeated season is gone, the chance for the Packers to repeat as Super Bowl champions is greater.

First of all, the defense now has motivation to get better.

For the entire season, the defense has given up way too many yards. But, they could always count on a timely turnover to end drives.

That didn't happen against the Chiefs, who took care of the ball and didn't have any turnovers.

Also, the defense has been relying on the offense to put up enough points to overcome any defensive collapse.

But now, with Greg Jennings injured and three starting offensive tackles injured, the defense has to realize that they'll have to pick up the slack for the offense now.

With the injuries the offense has sustained, the days of putting up 30 points are over. The defense is going to have to work hard to get back to the way they played in 2010.

Another way in which this loss will help the Packers in the long run is that it will take the pressure off of them.

Jermichael Finley was clearly rattled by the mounting pressure on Sunday, dropping several easy passes that he normally catches. Without the pressure of an undefeated season in his mind, he might play looser and catch some of the passes he's been dropping.

Also, it takes the pressure off the rest of the players, none of whom want to be the one who screws up a perfect season with one bad play.

So, look for this loss to the Chiefs to turn into the wake-up call the Packers needed. I expect them to get back to their winning ways against the injury-plagued Chicago Bears this weekend.

Just don't expect the same Packers offense to show up. They'll have to utilize short passes and better defensive play if they want to win their last two games and go deep in the playoffs.