Read and Reaction: Jaguars fall to Kansas City 30-14
By David Levin
The Jacksonville Jaguars could not get into a rhythm whether it was on offense or defense as they fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 30-14 on Sunday.
There is a big difference between being 4-1 and 3-2. Unfortunately, the Jacksonville Jaguars must look at their 30-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs as a learning tool and make changes to their offense and how they handle high-powered passing games in the future.
The score of the game was not indicative of how the team struggled, mainly Blake Bortles and his decision making that led to four interceptions and one lost fumble. He was also sacked five times.
For those of us who have preached the gospel of Bortles, the Jaguars fifth-year signal caller, turning a corner, this may have been a sign he is not there just yet.
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Jacksonville as a whole might not be ready to take their place amongst the NFL elite after being dominated on every facet of the game this afternoon.
Bortles did throw for 430 yards passing today and added a touchdown to his stats, but the four interceptions, one of them a pick-six, were more “vintage” Bortles than the upstart we are all hoping he is becoming as a veteran NFL quarterback.
The Jaguars defense did show a few signs of life in intercepting Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes twice, the first two of his season. But this was more of a game of lost opportunities, mistakes, and unfulfilled agendas.
Here is a look at the good, the bad and the misunderstood from this game.
The Good
T.J. Yeldon continues to be the Jaguars most important offensive weapon. The running back, playing in place of the Leonard Fournette, had 53 yards rushing on 10 carries. He also caught eight passes for 69 yards and a touchdown.
Jacksonville proved in the first half they could move the ball effectively on the ground but had to abandon the running game when they fell behind early. The Jaguars also lost running back Corey Grant early in the game with foot injury.
The Jaguars could feel comfortable with Yeldon as their lead running back for an extended amount of games if the offensive line played better.
A.J. Bouye and Tashaun Gipson both had interceptions in the game.
The Bad
Giving up points early and never gaining momentum. The Chiefs jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first half. Jacksonville’s defense played too much zone coverage and allowed the Chiefs to complete passes underneath to move the chains.
Also, the offensive line played poorly, forcing Bortles to get rid of the ball too quickly. Both Justin Houston and Dee Ford made a living in Jacksonville’s backfield all game. The Jaguars had 502 yards of total offense on 83 plays but had 14 points to show for their effort.
It wasn’t the speed we all talked about that necessarily beat the Jaguars on Sunday, it was the open spaces in coverage that tight end Travis Kelce getting open for 100 yards receiving.
The Misunderstood
How this was so lopsided. The Jaguars could not get into a rhythm early in the game and played from behind from the Chiefs’ first possession. It times, it looked like Jacksonville of old – a team searching for an identity.
The Jaguars offensive line allowed five sacks and Bortles was hurried 11 times on the afternoon.
This is a team that looked overwhelmed all afternoon and outcoached by Kansas City’s Andy Reid and his staff. Jacksonville had more first downs in the game but held the ball for five fewer minutes than their opponent.