Maybe the Jacksonville Jaguars beating the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs is not the largest upset within the grand scheme of issues, but it alerts the Jaguars have arrived as a participant within the AFC. The Jaguars made a press release in what was their largest sport of the season so far, bettering to 4-1 and dropping the Chiefs to 2-3.
Jacksonville has actually modified the tradition beneath head coach Liam Coen, matching its win whole from final 12 months and rising because the Indianapolis Colts‘ largest challenger within the AFC South. The Jaguars are simply the fourth crew with a go-ahead landing drive beginning within the closing two minutes of the fourth quarter towards the Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback — and the primary to tug off the feat in 4 years.
In a sport the place the Jaguars proved they’re a contender, there was a lot to remove from the Monday thriller. The overreactions are heating up, too, primarily based on how the sport ended. That are overreactions, and that are warranted realities?
Jaguars are a playoff crew
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
Heading into this Monday evening showdown with the Chiefs, it was truthful to ask if the Jaguars have been prepared for prime time. Seems, this group beneath Coen is greater than prepared.
Jacksonville went pound for pound with Kansas Metropolis, exchanging the lead 5 instances within the second half after erasing an early 14-0 deficit. The Jaguars scored 21 unanswered factors, then took the Chiefs’ greatest shot from Mahomes to steal a victory. Jacksonville did not roll over, as Trevor Lawrence led a seven-play, 60-yard drive within the closing minute — capped with a speeding landing during which he fell to start out the play — with 23 seconds remaining.
The Jaguars are a tenacious crew with an opportunistic protection and a quarterback who’s beginning to regain his confidence. That is a harmful mixture, particularly for a crew that now has back-to-back wins towards good opponents in San Francisco and Kansas Metropolis. Jacksonville has the look of a crew that shall be enjoying in mid-January.
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
Butker has been terrible for the Chiefs this season, having a kicking error in all 5 video games. He value the Chiefs on Monday evening together with his incapability to get a kick in bounds or into the touchdown zone.
The Chiefs had simply worn the Jaguars down on a 12-play, 86-yard drive capped by a Kareem Hunt landing to take a 28-24 lead with 1:45 left. They appeared poised to outlive a 12-round battle with the Jaguars.
On the following kickoff, Butker could not get the ball into the touchdown zone, as he kicked it out of bounds on the 5-yard line. Penalty on the Chiefs — and the Jaguars bought the ball on the 40-yard line. All Trevor Lawrence wanted was to go 60 yards in 1:45. He scored in simply 1:17 in what gave the impression to be a stress-free drive, because of the nice area place Butker gifted them.
This kickoff blunder provides to Butker’s struggles. He missed a kick in 4 straight video games previous to Monday evening, and maybe his consideration to element on kickoffs has affected different facets of his sport.
The Chiefs will experience with Butker by way of his struggles due to his historical past with the franchise and his skill to show issues round. That leash is getting shorter by the week, nevertheless.
Trevor Lawrence is again
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
Lawrence arguably had his greatest sport of the season towards a Chiefs protection that entered Monday ranked fifth in factors allowed per sport (19.0), main the Jaguars offense to 24 factors within the win (seven got here on a defensive landing). He completed 18 of 25 for 221 yards and a landing with an interception (95.6 ranking) whereas speeding for 54 yards and two scores.
To cap the robust efficiency, Lawrence scored the game-winning landing run with 23 seconds left to provide the Jaguars the win. He completed 3 of 4 for 48 yards and had two carries for seven yards on the ultimate drive, additionally benefiting from a cross interference that negated an interception earlier than scoring the winner.
Because the Jaguars hold profitable, Lawrence’s confidence continues to develop. The passing numbers aren’t stellar (60.4% completion charge, 78.2 passer ranking), however he is making sufficient performs to assist the Jaguars win.
Monday’s efficiency was an enormous step in the appropriate path, however Jacksonville wants that degree of play from its franchise quarterback persistently week to week. With that protection, Lawrence has a margin for error — however the Jaguars do not beat the Chiefs with out him. That must be the case extra usually.
Late-game miscues will value the Chiefs the AFC West
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
Let’s talk about what occurred on the Chiefs’ closing collection after they took a 28-24 lead with 1:45 left. Butker kicked the ball out of bounds, Jaylen Watson missed a cross breakup on Lawrence’s 33-yard completion to Brian Thomas Jr., Chamarri Conner dedicated cross interference on a Bryan Cook dinner interception, and the Chiefs could not carry down Lawrence after he fell behind the road of scrimmage — after which scored.
That collection of miscues led to the loss and left Kansas Metropolis sitting at 2-3 after 5 video games. The Chiefs had the Jaguars the place they needed them and fell aside late, however that should not find yourself costing them the division.
Kansas Metropolis is simply a sport behind Los Angeles and Denver within the AFC West, and the Chiefs play the Broncos twice and the Chargers as soon as extra. The AFC West has come again to the Chiefs, who’ve crept again into the division race.
A 2-3 begin is not the worst factor on the earth for the Chiefs after an 0-2 begin, however the miscues late might loom giant come January. Nonetheless, the Chiefs can have alternatives to win the division towards Denver and Los Angeles — making the ultimate defensive collection extra of a footnote than a deadly blow.
