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Green Bay, WI – Despite holding advantages in the major statistical categories, Kansas City could not overcome five turnovers that resulted in 13 points for Green Bay as the Packers topped the Chiefs by a final of 20-19 in both teams’ final preseason game Thursday night at Lambeau Field.

Kansas City outgained Green Bay in passing yards (281 to 42) and rushing yards (124 to 80), giving them a 283-yard advantage in total yardage for the evening. Kansas City also managed to nearly double Green Bay in the time of possession battle (39:56 to 20:04).

QB Matt Cassel completed 15 of 17 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown while QB Tyler Palko connected on 18 of 29 passes for 163 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. WR Dwayne Bowe led all pass-catchers in the game with eight receptions for 85 yards and a score.

Cassel found RB Jamaal Charles out of the backfield for 12 yards to convert on third-and-eight for the Chiefs on their opening drive. Kansas City’s first drive stalled and the team was forced to punt.

Green Bay RB Ryan Grant took the first handoff for the Packers offense 23 yards into Kansas City territory. Facing third and nine, QB Aaron Rodgers hit WR Tori Gurley for 12 yards to set up first and goal. Rodgers found TE Tom Crabtree for eight yards and a touchdown on second down to put Green Bay up 7-0 with 7:24 left to play in the first quarter.

On Kansas City’s next possession, Cassel found Bowe for 10 yards and a first down. On third and three, Cassel hit WR Dexter McCluster for five yards to keep the drive moving. Bowe hauled in a six-yard reception and Cassel hit TE Tony Moeaki for six yards and another Chiefs first down. Kansas City’s drive stalled as Charles had the ball stripped as he crossed into the Red Zone.

Following the turnover, the Kansas City defense rose to the occasion as an errant shotgun snap by Green Bay resulted in a Kansas City safety, making the score 7-2 in favor of Green Bay with 3:20 left to play in the first quarter.

After regaining possession following the safety, Kansas City faced fourth and nine. In punt formation, P Dustin Colquitt threw a 12-yard pass to WR Terrance Copper for a first down.

After the converted fourth down, the Chiefs offense got into a rhythm as Cassel found Moeaki for 14 yards and followed that with a seven-yard strike to TE Leonard Pope. Three plays later, Cassel hit Bowe for 29 yards on third and five, moving the ball to the Green Bay 12-yard line. Facing second and eight, Cassel found a leaping McCluster for 10 yards in the front of the end zone, making the score 9-7 with 11:25 left in the first half. The scoring drive covered 75 yards in 11 plays and took 6:55 off the clock.

CB Brandon Flowers ended Green Bay’s ensuing possession as he intercepted a QB Matt Flynn pass at the Kansas City 17-yard line and returned it one yard. An unnecessary roughness horse collar tackle tacked an extra 15 yards onto the end of the play.

The two teams traded punts on their next possessions. Kansas City’s secondary again accounted for a big defensive play as CB Brandon Carr came on a corner blitz, sacking Flynn and forcing a fumble that was recovered by LB Tamba Hali near midfield.

Following the turnover, Palko led the Chiefs offense into Green Bay territory. Palko hit TE Cody Slate for seven yards to the Green Bay two-yard line. As the clock continued to run under 20 seconds left in the half, Palko threw a jump ball up to Bowe in the end zone, who managed to tap both feet inbounds, giving the Chiefs a 16-7 lead with 0:14 left to go in the first half.

The Kansas City defense forced a Green Bay three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half. After a Green Bay punt, Kansas City marched the ball to the Packers’ 22-yard line. Charles picked up seven yards but had the ball stripped. Green Bay CB Pat Lee picked up the loose ball and returned it 67 yards to the Kansas City 26. Once again the Chiefs defense stiffened up, allowing only one yard in three plays. K Mason Crosby connected on a 43-yard field goal to make the score 16-10 in favor of the Chiefs with 7:58 left in the third quarter.

A fumbled exchange between Palko and McCluster on the first play of the drive gave Green Bay the ball back on the Kansas City 14-yard line. A three and out forced a 32-yard Crosby field goal with 5:48 left to play in the third, cutting the Kansas City lead to 16-13.

Green Bay’s defense shifted the momentum of the game as LB Vic So’oto intercepted a Palko pass on third down and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown. The Packers’ defensive score vaulted them back into the lead by a score of 20-16 with 4:20 left to play in the third quarter.

Kansas City was forced to punt on its next drive, but a muffed catch on the return by WR Shaky Smithson was recovered by LB Cory Greenwood at the Green Bay 16-yard line. Facing fourth and seven, K Ryan Succop connected on a 31-yard field goal to cut the Green Bay lead to 20-19 with 11:29 left to play in the game.

After a Packers punt, Palko hit Bowe for eight yards and a first down. On the next play, Palko found WR Jerheme Urban for 14 yards. A 15-yard pass to TE Anthony Becht moved the ball into Packers territory. Facing third and three, Palko’s pass was tipped and intercepted by LB Cardia Jackson at the Green Bay 23-yard line. After its drive stalled, Green Bay was forced to punt.

Faced with fourth and nine deep inside Kansas City territory, Palko found WR Keary Colbert for 17 yards and a first down. Palko then found Urban for eight yards and then connected again for nine yards. Palko then gained 15 yards on the ground to get into Green Bay territory. Facing fourth and two from the Packers 38-yard line, Succop lined up for a 56-yard field goal that missed wide left, giving Green Bay the 20-19 victory.