The biggest question facing the Kansas City Chiefs heading into Week 5 is one of momentum: can they keep it going?
The Chiefs offense came alive in Week 4 in a trouncing of the Baltimore Ravens that evened the record at 2-2 overall. It was the sort of heroic display from Patrick Mahomes and company that felt lost for a short stint as the offense treaded water through injuries and inconsistent play. Mahomes threw 4 touchdowns, and Xavier Worthy's return freed up the rest of the arsenal on hand to do what they do best.
But there's one glaring asterisk on the Chiefs' newfound potency: the Ravens defense was in tatters by the end of their Week 4 contest. Injuries robbed the unit of more starters than not, leaving Baltimore wondering about much more than a single loss at Arrowhead. Instead, John Harbaugh's team is wondering how to salvage a season.
Can the Chiefs do the same thing against a much healthier Jaguars defense? Will Mahomes and company be able to move the ball at will for a second consecutive week? Time will tell, but here are our predictions on what will happen on Monday Night Football.
Writers predictions for Chiefs vs Jaguars
Christian Ainsworth
The King takes down The Prince in a defensive heavyweight bout. Xavier brings back some explosiveness, McDuffie gets his first pick of the season, and Chris Jones takes advantage of a soft Jaguars offensive line. Chiefs 24, Jaguars 17
Matt Conner
The Jaguars defense is more formidable than the Ravens, but it's hard to bet against Patrick Mahomes in a showdown against Trevor Lawrence and company. Liam Coen has a nice record against a very soft schedule. The Chiefs will limit Travis Etienne and dare Lawrence to beat Mahomes. Not happening. Chiefs 27, Jaguars 16
Bransen Gibson
Kansas City's offense is back, baby. We saw against the Ravens just how dynamic (and explosive) the Chiefs can be when they have their pieces on the field together. The Jags are good, but they won't be able to stop it and they won't get the turnovers they need to win. The Chiefs roll to 3-2. Chiefs 30, Jaguars 23
Lyle Graversen
The Chiefs got some offensive momentum going against the wounded Ravens last week, and they keep it going against the Jags, who haven't had to play a team as good as the Chiefs yet. Chiefs 27, Jaguars 17
Braden Holecek
The Chiefs and the Jaguars have aggressive defenses, with Jacksonville impressing so far. The multiplicity that Kansas City can offer offensively, when they are rolling like last week, may be the difference here. Andy Reid's experience outshines the new and flashy abilities of Liam Coen's offense. Chiefs 30, Jaguars 19
Scott Loring
The Chiefs' front seven will frustrate the Jags offense from start to finish. But when it's all said and done, this will be remembered as the game we found out who Nohl Williams is. Chiefs 23, Jaguars 10
Shawn O'Brate
The Chiefs are riding high on their big play ability for the first time in years and I think they start off doing the same thing. Whether they hit or not is going to be what makes this game a 17-17 game at halftime or a 17-3 game at halftime, I think they simmer down in the last 20-30 minutes but they stifle a rising Jags' offense that is very reliant on their running backs which helps them get above .500 for the first time this season. Chiefs 31, Jags 26
Stacy Smith
A Monday night affair in Duval pits the 2-2 Chiefs versus the 3-1 Jaguars. Kansas City isn't quite as explosive in this game, but builds on its Week 4 performance. Mahomes tosses two more TDs, Kelce finds pay dirt, and the defense forces a late turnover to win, Chiefs 24, Jaguars 17
Lucas Strozinsky
Maybe Week 4 was a mirage for the offense, but I'm choosing to be optimistic. As long as the Chiefs don't turn the ball over (which is a real question against this takeaway-happy Jacksonville defense), they should move the ball, score points, and win this game. Chiefs 29, Jaguars 21