The Kansas City Chiefs after their disappointing loss from the previous Thursday Night game vs the Lions, The defending champions were able to bounce back with their 17-9 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. This time, this game marked the return/season debuts of All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones and All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce which gave the team enough momentum to pull out the win. Reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes was able to manage the game with throwing for 305 yards, 2 TD passes and a pick. There were plenty of winners and just 2 losers from the Jaguars game and in this article I’ll list the ones that stood and the ones that need to step it up.
Winners
Skyy Moore #24 and Kadarius Toney #19, Wide receivers
Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore constantly struggled to hang onto the ball last game when both combined for 1 catch (Toney) out of 8 total targets and 4 drops, including the Brian Branch game-shifting pick-six from Toney. This game, after hearing all of doubters they combined for 8 catches (Toney had 5 of them) out of 9 total targets for 105 yards (Moore had 70 of those yards which is career high) and Skyy Moore’s nine-yard score to give the Chiefs the lead near the first half’s close. Moore then helped put the game away on a 54-yard catch-and-run in part by some nifty footwork by MVPat to get it to him and crush whatever hopes of a Jaguar comeback. Toney did lose the ball on a screen and recovered it for a 12-yard loss in the third quarter. He logged a five-yard catch later that series, but wasn’t targeted again but for both players it was certainly a step in the right direction.
Mahomes to Skyy Moore to seal the game! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3oLXgBao1m
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) September 17, 2023
Chris Jones, #95, Defensive Tackle
The Chiefs defense stood out. Third downs were not best friends with the Jags offense, they went 0 for 2 on fourth downs and didn’t get into the end zone once. The front seven stuffed the run while the secondary held Ridley in check. The front seven was led by the return of All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones. Jones picked up where he left off playing like Defensive Player of the Year finalist from 2022 finishing the game with 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits. And he did it while on a pitch count of 34-35 snaps. Jones’ presence made the difference in the team’s victory on Sunday.
Welcome back, Chris Jones 💪
📺: #KCvsJAX on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/t4FMe9LrK0— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
Isiah Pacheco, #10, Running Back
I have mentioned on the ways to beat the Jags article that using the run game was a big factor and it was when Pacheco rushed the ball 12 times for 70 yards (5.8 yards per carry), although he didn’t get into the end zone. Despite the lack of touchdowns, Pacheco’s performance was a bright spot in the Chiefs’ offense, with his longest run of 31 yards showcasing his explosive ability. His season stats now stand at 20 carries for 93 yards, five receptions for 31 yards, but still no touchdowns. Pacheco will be looking to break into the end zone for the first time this season next week against the Chicago Bears.
The #Chiefs first offensive play of the 2nd half is a 31-yard run by RB Isiah Pacheco.#FeedPacheco #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/zwbZCg35Ga
— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) September 17, 2023
Losers
Jawaan Taylor, Right Tackle, #74
The Chiefs signed former Jags right tackle Jawaan Taylor to an $80 million contract this offseason, and he’s made the headlines through two weeks for the wrong reasons. First started in the season opener when he lined up off the line of scrimmage multiple times against the Lions, and appeared to jump early on several plays. Taylor wasn’t penalized for most of these violations, but the NFL was clearly on the look out for his activity in Week 2. On Sunday in his return against his former team, Taylor was penalized five times. He was flagged twice for false starts, once for illegal formation and twice for holding. After being penalized for holding twice in three plays in the third quarter, head coach Andy Reid pulled Taylor from the game for the remainder of that possession. Taylor has got to settle down and relax. Penalties like those could cost us and shift the momentum. As a former offensive lineman myself my coach always said to wait until the ball is snapped.
Here's #Chiefs Andy Reid speaking on taking out Jawaan Taylor for a few plays.
Just wanted him to clear his head.. pic.twitter.com/jB4EO0AU4z
— PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) September 17, 2023
Richie James, #17, Wide Receiver
Richie James earned a good reputation in the off season and during training camp. Even being named the best pass catcher in 2022 by Next Gen Stats. The veteran receiver muffled a punt in the first half, leading to a Jaguars field goal (Thanks to the Chiefs defense). He also dropped a catchable pass. The second half finished the game with no catches and just 8 yards on 3 punt return attempts. It’s not a good look especially getting out played by Justin Watson and rookie Rashee Rice.
#Chiefs WR Richie James muffs a #Jaguars punt & it's recovered by Jacksonville deep in KC territory. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/u3XTyOFKQN
— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) September 17, 2023
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