Packers get poor grades for their loss at KC

It was the Packers' first loss in 364 days as their perfect season ended in Kansas City with a 19-14 loss to the Chiefs.Handing out grades following the Packers' loss:Passing Offense: CThe offensive line struggled to protect Aaron Rodgers as he was sacked four times, hit five times and forced to scramble on three other plays.There were also plenty of dropped passes by Green Bay's receivers as Donald Driver, Jermichael Finley and James Jones all let balls hit their fingers and fall to the ground.All of that added up to a 17-of-35 passing day for Rodgers, his first time under a 50 percent completion rate all season.The absence of Greg Jennings (out two to three weeks with an MCL sprain) was noticeable immediately. Although Randall Cobb did well in his extra snaps in Jennings' spot (four catches, 53 yards), it affected Jordy Nelson's ability to get open and make plays as he had his worst statistical game of the season with two catches for 29 yards.Although Rodgers did not throw an interception, his one touchdown pass, 235 yards throwing and 80.1 passer rating were all season lows.Rushing Offense: BConsidering the Packers had only two healthy running backs, the team's performance on the ground went about as well as could have been expected. Ryan Grant ran for 66 yards in 12 carries (5.5 average) with a long run of 18 yards, but no touchdowns.John Kuhn, Green Bay's only other healthy back, was only given the ball twice and did not gain any yards.Rodgers helped get the Packers' rushing yards as a team over 100 with his three scrambles netting 32 yards.James Starks (ankleknee) and Brandon Saine (concussion) could likely return to the lineup next week, which should help add to the diversity of plays that coach Mike McCarthy is able to call.Rushing Defense: BThe best aspect of an otherwise below-average performance on defense was the Packers' ability to stop the Chiefs on the ground and in the red zone.Kansas City had five drives reach the red zone and only one resulted in a touchdown. This was due in large part to Green Bay tackling well near the end zone when the Chiefs tried to run the ball. Four of Charles Woodson's team-high 10 tackles came on solo tackles within five yards of the end zone.Kansas City's leading rusher was Thomas Jones, who had only 48 yards on 15 carries (3.2 average), followed by Jackie Battle, who ran 10 times for 37 yards (3.7 average).Passing Defense: DKyle Orton, the same quarterback who came into Green Bay in Week 4 while starting for the Broncos and threw three interceptions and was soon released by Denver, lit up the Packers in his first start with the Chiefs.Orton completed 23 of his 31 passes for 299 yards with a 104.1 passer rating and no interceptions.One of the most important factors for Green Bay's success this season has been creating interceptions, a category which the Packers lead the NFL in by a wide margin.But against Kansas City, there were no interceptions, no forced fumbles and barely any quarterback pressure.Orton was not sacked at all and was only hit once all game.Special Teams: BTim Masthay had a great day punting the ball. Although it means the Packers are struggling on offense when Masthay has to punt five times, he helped keep the Chiefs out of good field position by averaging 53.4 yards per punt.Mason Crosby missed his only field goal attempt, though it was from 54 yards out at a windy Arrowhead Stadium.Randall Cobb didn't have a breakaway run, but he did hold onto the ball and avoid turning it over. However, Cobb had yet another questionable return when he fielded a kickoff deep in the end zone and was only able to return it to the 12 yard line.Overall: C-If the Packers' perfect season was going to end, it was surprising to see it end in this fashion with the Chiefs looking like the better team all game.Considering that Kansas City came in at 5-8, and recently fired their head coach and benched their starting quarterback, it is unusual to see that type of team capable of knocking off an undefeated Packers squad.But with Green Bay's offensive struggles and the defenses inability to get off the field quickly or create turnovers, the Packers were handed their first loss in the past 20 games overall dating back to last season.Follow Paul Imig on Twitter