Chiefs’ Chris Jones aims to check this box in playoffs after stellar regular season
Maybe you’ve heard the numbers.
Chris Jones, who matched his career best in sacks this season with 15 1/2, has never recorded one in the postseason.
Frank Clark, whose 23 1/2 sacks with the Chiefs since 2019 are 17 1/2 fewer than Jones in that time, has eight postseason sacks in a Kansas City uniform.
What’s more, Clark’s 11 career playoff sacks, including his time in Seattle, are tied for the fifth most since the NFL made sacks an official statistic in 1982.
Strange, right? Jones has lined up at tackle in most games. Clark is strictly a defensive end, which provides more sack opportunities.
And Jones’ inability to bring down Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow — twice — during last year’s AFC title game was critical in the Chiefs’ loss that day.
“A lot of plays I left on the field that I think could’ve sealed the game and put us in a better position to win,” Jones said earlier this season.
Jones has been a big part of the team’s postseason success. He’s been credited with nine passes defended and he was crucial in the Chiefs’ comeback victory over the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.
Now it’s time for Jones, who’s coming off his most decorated regular season as a pro — first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection for the fourth time — to check another box.
The Chiefs need him to keep the pressure on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during Saturday’s Divisional Round game.
Here are some other players, besides Lawrence and superstar Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, to keep an eye on Saturday:
Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon
The veteran is in the midst of the best stretch of his seven-year NFL career. He ended the regular season with touchdown receptions in each of his final six games, a total of eight. His 512 receiving yards are a career high. McKinnon was named AFC player of the month for December/January. “He just knows how to be in the right spot,” Mahomes said.
Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay Jr.
Gay was particularly active in the Chiefs’ regular-season game against Jacksonville. In 43 snaps, he recorded one of his 2 1/2 sacks and was credited with a pass defended. He also led the Chiefs with eight tackles that day. KC’s linebackers and defensive backs will be making plenty of contact with Jags running back Travis Etienne.
Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend
If there’s a rain/snow mix falling Saturday, the kicking game could be a big factor. Townsend may have had an issue with holds in the Chiefs’ place-kicking operation this season, but his punting has been tremendous. He ranks second in the NFL with a 50.3-yard average and has earned a spot on the league’s All-Pro team.
Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk
In his first year with Jacksonville after spending four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Kirk is having a career year. He leads the Jags with 84 receptions for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns. Two of those scores (and 105 yards receiving) came against the Chiefs in Week 10.
Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen
Not that Josh Allen, this Josh Allen. He got off to a slow start this season with no sacks through eight games. Since then, he’s had six — including four in the past six games — and 13 quarterback hits. Jacksonville couldn’t bring down Mahomes in Week 10 and the Chiefs quarterback passed for 331 yards and three touchdowns.
Jaguars kicker Riley Patterson
Patterson opened the Chiefs’ regular-season meeting against the Jaguars with a perfectly placed onside kick that Jacksonville recovered. He was shaky after that, however, missing two field goals. Since then, Patterson has made 19 of 20, including the playoffs.