After the bye week, the Chiefs go bye-bye again in a 24-21 loss to Jacksonville

The Associated Press

Jaguars wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker celebrated a long second-quarter touchdown against the Chiefs today in Jacksonville, Fla.

• Photos | Jaguars 24, Chiefs 21
• Red Zone | Live updates today
• Twitter | Kent Babb tweets about the Chiefs

More News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. | The Chiefs' new offense didn't seem much more effective than the old one -- before the score was out of reach, anyway -- and Kansas City's erratic defense couldn't hide its many weaknesses.

The bye week and the extra time didn't seem to help the Chiefs, who lost their seventh contest of the season, staggering toward the midpoint of 2009 with a 1-7 record after the Jaguars' 24-21 win today at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley said he spent part of his time during his team's open date trying to identify what had held back Kansas City's offense. It didn't have a rushing touchdown in the first seven games, quarterback Matt Cassel was under constant pressure and the Chiefs had constant trouble reaching the end zone. None of those things changed today.

Kansas City finally scored a touchdown with 2:32 to play, when Cassel hit newly acquired wide receiver Chris Chambers for a 54-yard touchdown. Cassel also hit Chambers for a 5-yard score with 1:01 to play. Kansas City tried another onside kick, but Jacksonville's Greg Jones caught the ball and fell on it.

Even a change at running back, temporary as it might be, failed to give the Chiefs the spark they could so badly use. Larry Johnson was suspended for the Jacksonville game, and second-year rusher Jamaal Charles started in his place. Charles' performance was encouraging, and so was the return of Kolby Smith, who took his first carries today after missing most of the last year while recovering from a knee injury.

But Haley instead emphasized a passing game that, changes or not, has yet to find a rhythm. He changed up the wide receivers corps, deactivating Bobby Wade in favor of Chambers.

The study was intended to find ways to protect Cassel and help him locate receivers quicker. Haley called several quick passes, but drops, continued pressure on Cassel, and a stout Jacksonville defense kept the changes from having much benefit.

Kansas City's defense didn't do much for easing pressure on a wounded team, either. Coverage kept breaking down, and strong safety Mike Brown had three glaring miscues that cost the Chiefs big plays and two touchdowns. Free safety Jon McGraw was inactive today because of a thigh injury, and Jarrad Page was placed this past week on injured reserve with a calf injury.

Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop had two field goals, including one in the first half that came after Kansas City failed to score despite taking possession after a Jacksonville fumble on the Jaguars' 20-yard line.

• Most Read