PISCATAWAY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 24: Ben Niemann #44 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates after Rutgers Scarlet Knights is unable to score on 4th down in the second quarter at High Point Solutions Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) With the Chiefs preparing to face the Packers on Thursday, we present to you the seven players with the most to gain or lose at Arrowhead. When the Kansas City Chiefs take the field against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, it will be the very last game in a Chiefs uniform for many of the players involved. Roster cuts are due very, very soon in the National Football League, which means Thursday’s slate of games is, in many ways, a desperate exhibition for young men hoping to keep their dreams of playing professional football at the highest level alive. For the decision-makers, Thursday gives them another chance to see interesting prospects perform under pressure in a game-time simulation. In the bigger scheme of things, it’s a forgettable exhibition (and quite silly that any team could charge expensive prices for tickets just to see third stringers compete for a special teams spot) but these sorts of key moments can pay serious dividends for general managers and scouts with the acumen to see true potential. Some players could come up big tonight and still not make the active roster simply because of the depth or competition ahead of them. For others, it would be too little too late. That said, for a handful of players, Thursday night is a real chance to turn the tide, to show Brett Veach and the rest of the Chiefs front office that they would truly regret letting them get away. Here are some players who could make a great case for making the team on Thursday. Ben Niemann, linebacker This case seems to be the most obvious because head coach Andy Reid himself said that Ben Niemann needs a big game on Thursday. It’s amazing that an undrafted free agent linebacker from Iowa has catapulted his way into reporters’ questions and coaches’ answers at this point, but Niemann has put on a serious display this preseasons. Unfortunately for Niemann, the Chiefs look pretty loaded at linebacker. While neither are fan favorites, the Chiefs seem very fond of both veteran Frank Zombo and Terrance Smith. Dave Toub sings the praises of both, and Reid considers Smith to be very intelligent. They also both already know the scheme, are strong special teams performers and, in Zombo’s case, can fill in as a starter and not be embarrassed. Those are the guys likely on the fringe for the Chiefs—maybe Ukeme Eligwe is there, too—at a position that’s been completely retooled for 2018. If Niemann can make some more noise with another solid night shedding blockers and getting to the ball, he might force someone’s hand to trade a known quantity for the unknown ceiing of Niemann on the roster. Chase Litton/Matt McGloin, quarterbacks Chiefs Kingdom seems pretty sold on undrafted quarterback Chase Litton to date, but it’s a bit telling that the Chiefs haven’t completely cleared the path for Litton to take over the No. 3 quarterback position. In years past, the Chiefs would have four quarterbacks but it was clear that Tyler Bray was No. 3 and Joel Stave was a practice squad player or camp body. This preseason, the Chiefs could have been giving Litton all of the reps at No. 3 to either speed along his development or to get a better look at what they have on hand. Instead they’re giving serious playing time to McGloin as well which means the coaching staff is interested in seeing what he can do in a new scheme outside of Oakland. His stat line with the Raiders makes it easy to dismiss him as a player, but the Chiefs are curious about something here. Whoever comes up big tonight could be QB3 moving forward, even if it’s not the unproven prospect everyone already assumes has the job. Arrion Springs, cornerback At this point, the Chiefs are waiting for anyone at all to step up in the secondary and force their hand to make a specific decision. The Chiefs could use an assertive young player at cornerback, and Springs could definitely be such a player. It shouldn’t be that hard to surpass the competition provided by Will Redmond and Keith Reaser for a final roster spot, but alas here we are hoping that a guy like Springs can make that leap. He’s flashed potential at times but it’s certainly not an automatic call at this point. It’s also true that another option like D’Montre Wade could make the leap, but Springs has the best chance to move from undrafted to active roster. Tremon Smith, returner/cornerback Tremon Smith is already a solid lock for the active roster, but just how much playing time he’s going to get early could depend heavily upon his performance under pressure on Thursday. The Chiefs are giving him every opportunity to soak up reps at returner, where his incredible speed could make a big difference and give him the edge over De’Anthony Thomas. However he’s also a sixth round rookie getting used to the size, speed and demands of the NFL. He’ll start his career in special teams coverage, secondary depth and security at returner, but his potential could be so much higher. Gehrig Dieter/Marcus Kemp, wide receiver At this point, the Chiefs might go with in more obvious directions but they’re keeping a lot of potential off of the active roster if they forgo either Dieter or Kemp when all is said and done. Right now the wide receiver position is likely going to roll six-deep with Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Demarcus Robinson, Chris Conley, De’Anthony Thomas and Jehu Chesson. However fans really like Kemp’s big play ability and Dieter has also shown a lot of chemistry with Patrick Mahomes. A standout performance on Thursday could upset the apple cart, so to speak, and force Veach to have some difficult conversations late into the night. Did we miss someone? Who else do you think could benefit from a strong performance on Thursday? Sound off in the comments!<doc-sep>The Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs have become preseason rivals of a sort over the last decade or so. Over the last eight preseasons, dating back to the summer of 2010, the two teams have met for the final exhibition game six times, alternating venues between Lambeau Field and Arrowhead Stadium for three games each. This week, the teams will have their seventh preseason finale matchup in nine years. Interestingly, the home team has won each of the previous six such games; Kansas City earned victories in 2010, 2013, and 2016, while the Packers finished on top in 2011, 2012, and 2014. If that trend holds, the Chiefs would project as the victors this week due to the game being played on their home field. The proximity of the franchises is likely part of the reason for this common matchup, in addition to the connection between the front offices during that span. It is probably no coincidence that this series began around the time that John Dorsey — a former Packers personnel executive, took over as the Chiefs’ general manager. Although Dorsey moved on last offseason and is now in Cleveland, it appears that both organizations value the relationship they have built. This week’s game will set the final 53-man rosters for both teams, so be sure to tune in to see who makes a surprise bid to make these teams. Adding to the drama for Packers fans is the trade of Brett Hundley, which means that DeShone Kizer is locked in as the number two quarterback and Tim Boyle has a shot at the roster as the #3. Here’s how to do just that. WHO? Green Bay Packers (2-1) vs. Kansas City Chiefs () WHERE? Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City, Missouri WHEN? Thursday, August 30th, 2018 7:30 PM Central Time HOW? Local TV Broadcasts Packers TV Network Lead stations: NBC-4 (Milwaukee), NBC-26 (Green Bay), ABC-27 (Madison) Commentators: Kevin Harlan, James Lofton Chiefs TV Network Lead stations: CBS-5 (Kansas City), CBS-4 (St. Louis), FOX-38 (Columbia) Commentators: Carter Blackburn, Trent Green Radio Broadcasts Packers Radio Network Commentators: Wayne Larrivee, Larry McCarren Online Streaming NFL GamePass (Free 7-day trial available) NFL Network Replays ANYTHING ELSE? Recent Head-to-Head Games Regular Season Week 3 2015: @Packers 38, Chiefs 28 Preseason Week 4 2016: @Chiefs 17, Packers 7 Postseason Super Bowl I: Packers 35, Chiefs 10 This Preseason Packers Week 1: won 31-17 vs. Tennessee Titans Week 2: won 51-34 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Week 3: lost 13-6 at Oakland Raiders Chiefs Week 1: lost 17-10 vs. Houston Texans Week 2: won 28-14 at Atlanta Falcons Week 3: lost 27-20 at Chicago Bears<doc-sep>Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to the local media on Tuesday for the last time prior to Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Green Bay Packers. Reid said the following players won’t play in the game due to injury: S Eric Berry (heel) CB Step Durham (hip) S Daniel Sorensen (knee) Tight end Travis Kelce, who missed Tuesday’s practice due to personal reasons, should be at the game, per Reid. Reid is expected to rest most starters, including starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes.<doc-sep>
The Green Bay Packers travel to Kansas City to wrap up the preseason against the Chiefs on Thursday night. Green Bay is 8-8-1 overall against the Chiefs in the preseason and have not beaten them in Kansas City in the regular season since 2007. The preseason finale will be the last chance for players on the roster bubble to prove themselves. Final cut-downs from 90 players to 53 will take place on Saturday. The Packers will then open the season at Lambeau Field on Sunday Night Football against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 9. Thursday night’s game will be televised over the 18-station Packers TV Network throughout the state of Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, northeastern Minnesota, Peoria in Illinois, the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids-Waterloo and Des Moines in Iowa, Omaha in Nebraska, Sioux Falls in South Dakota and Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau in Alaska. CBS’s Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and former Packer James Lofton (analyst) will call the game from the broadcast booth with Lance Allan of WTMJ-TV reporting from the sidelines. Allan will also host a half-hour pregame show. The game can be heard over Milwaukee’s WTMJ (620 AM) and the Packers Radio Network, which is made up of 50 stations in five states. Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play) and Larry McCarren (analyst) will call the game. Here’s the information you need to know to watch Thursday night’s game: What: Green Bay Packers (2-1) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) When: Thursday, Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. CDT Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO Referee: Brad Allen TV Channels: Packers TV Network (see below) Radio: Packers Radio Network Live stream: fuboTV (try it free) Via 506sports.com: