Chiefs vs. Jaguars preview: Everything you need to know

The Kansas City Chiefs head down south this weekend to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for the third time in the last calendar year. This is the first of those meetings that will not be at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Let’s get into the nitty gritty in how these two teams stack up against each other and what could play factors in the game on Sunday. 

Date: Sunday, September 17, 2023

Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL

1. Overall Records:

Kansas City Chiefs: 0-1 (Tied for 2nd in AFC West)

Jacksonville Jaguars: 1-0 (1st in the AFC South)

2. Last week's results:

The Chiefs lost the NFL season opener to the Detroit Lions, 21-20, on a night they hung their third Super Bowl banner.

The Jaguars let the Indianapolis Colts hang around for a while before pulling away in the fourth quarter, sealing a 31-21 victory. 

3. Stats to know:

Chiefs Offense

• Points per Game: 20 (Tied for 15th in the NFL)
• Passing Yards per Game: 226 (9th in the NFL)
• Rushing Yards per Game: 90 (21st in the NFL)

Jaguars Offense

• Points per game: 31 (5th in the NFL)
• Passing yards per game: 237 (Tied for 7th in the NFL)
• Rushing yards per game: 105 (12th in the NFL)

Chiefs Defense

• Points allowed per game: 21 (Tied for 19th in the NFL)
• Passing yards allowed per game: 250 (27th in the NFL)
• Rushing yards allowed per game: 118 (24th in the NFL)
• Sacks: 1 (Tied for 25th in the NFL)
• Turnovers: 1 (Tied for 16th in the NFL)

Jaguars Defense

• Points allowed per game: 21 (Tied for 19th in the NFL)
• Passing yards allowed per game: 215 (22nd in the NFL)
• Rushing yards allowed per game: 65 (4th in the NFL)
• Sacks: 4 (Tied for 6th in the NFL)
• Turnovers: 3 (Tied for 2nd in the NFL)

Chiefs vs Jaguars QB Comparison

Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes - 226 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 53.8 CMP %, 80 PFF RTG

Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence - 241 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 75 CMP %, 86.3 PFF RTG

Key Injuries for Chiefs vs Jaguars

Chiefs: Stars Chris Jones (rest), Travis Kelce (knee) and L’Jarius Sneed (knee) were all limited this week. 

Jaguars: Both starting center, Luke Fortner and right guard, Brandon Scherff did not practice earlier this week. 

Top PFF overall grades from last week (min 20 snaps)

Chiefs 

• Rashee Rice, WR: 80.7
• Patrick Mahomes, QB: 80
• Trent McDuffie, CB: 73.3
• Joe Thuney, G: 70
• Creed Humphrey, C: 68.9

Jaguars

• Tyson Campbell, CB: 89.2
• Josh Allen, EDGE: 86.9
• Trevor Lawrence, QB: 86.3
• Tre Herndon, CB: 77
• Foyesade Oluokun, LB: 76.6

Key Storylines and Kansas City Connections

The Jacksonville Jaguars will attempt to avenge the two losses the Kansas City Chiefs dealt them last year, including one in the divisional round to end their season. The Jaguars are led by head coach, Doug Pederson, who served three seasons as the Chiefs offensive coordinator under Andy Reid. This is also Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor's first game against the team that drafted him.

Chiefs vs Jaguars Betting Odds

Spread: Jaguars +3.5

Over/Under: 51

Chiefs vs Jaguars Head-to-Head History

Last meeting: The Chiefs won 27-20 in the divisional round of the 2022 season on January 21st, 2023.

All-time series: Chiefs lead 8-6, including six wins in a row, dating back to 2010.

Chiefs vs Jaguars Weather Forecast

According to The Weather Channel, thunderstorms are supposed to become widespread in the afternoon, with a high of 85 degrees. There is a 70 percent chance of rain. 

Chiefs vs Jaguars prediction

The Jaguars are a very good team with an upward trajectory. The Lawrence and Calvin Ridley connection looked electric last week. Their defense is also very physical and are not afraid to lower the pads and get after it. 

With that being said, I think the Chiefs are going to come into EverBank Stadium extra motivated after such an embarrassing loss. Losing to the Lions is not embarrassing, but the way they lost was. Chris Jones’ return after a contract restructure and the increasing potential to get Travis Kelce inserted back into the lineup should produce some juice they were lacking in Week 1. 

I think the Chiefs win, but it will be close. I would not bet the over on this game as the entire NFL, not just the Chiefs played sloppy football in Week 1. It should sharpen up in Week 2, but Kansas City and the rest of the league are still going to be working out some kinks. 

I have the Chiefs winning, 24-20 with a Kelce touchdown and a Jones sack included.