Chiefs report card from preseason opener vs. Jaguars ... plus an important reminder
Patrick Mahomes played one series, leading the Chiefs to a field goal. Trevor Lawrence played two series for the Jacksonville Jaguars and led his team to a short-field touchdown. Both were out of the game before the end of the first quarter.
So it goes with preseason games, this one won by the Jags 26-13 as the reserves brought it home over the final three-plus quarters.
The Chiefs lost their preseason opener last year, too, and went on to win their second straight Super Bowl. So there’s that.
KC STAR OF THE GAME
In his first NFL game, rookie cornerback Jaden Hicks was the Chiefs’ most active defender. In the first half, Hicks delivered a pair of nice tackles, including one for a loss, and he made a beautiful open field tackle on a punt return to save a potential big gain.
Next: The Chiefs’ second preseason game is Saturday, Aug. 17, against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The game will kick off at 3 p.m. and be broadcast on KSHB (Channel 41).
REPORT CARD
Passing offense: B
Mahomes’ best pass was his first, to Hollywood Brown, and the new wide receiver suffered an injured shoulder on the play. Carson Wentz completed all four of his attempts but the Chiefs punted away his three drives. Chris Oladokun looked terrific on his touchdown drive late in the second quarter.
All four quarterbacks, including Ian Book, played, and the group combined for a nice completion percentage on mainly short throws. But no deep balls to rookie Xavier Worthy or anybody. Maybe the Chiefs are saving that for the regular season.
Rushing offense: C
Isiah Pacheco galloped for a 16-yard gain, but the Chiefs’ best effort came from Carson Steele, the fullback who broke three tackles on his 20-yard gain. Steele capped the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run on third down.
Passing defense: D
Joshua Williams got burned on a 41-yard strike from backup quarterback C.J. Beathard to Brian Thomas, and Beathard picked on Nic Jones later in the half on a 35-yard touchdown. Not a good night for pass coverage.
One bright spot was Jack Cochrane, whose first-half sack of Lawrence on fourth down stopped a drive.
Rushing defense: C
The Jaguars averaged nearly six yards per attempt. But there was no Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi or Nick Bolton, among the 10 or so players who didn’t suit up because of injury.
Special teams: D
About the new kickoff rule...
The Chiefs coverage team was burned on the Jaguars’ first return as Harrison Butker kicked the ball to the 7, and Parker Washington returned it 73 yards to the 20. Once Washington got through the cluster of bodies, he had to be caught from behind. That’s the type of action the NFL had in mind when it changed the rule.
The Chiefs’ Louis Rees-Zammit downed the opening kickoff. The Chiefs were penalized on their second kickoff return, and on the third, the Jags kicked it through the end zone, prompting Mecole Hardman to look to the Jacksonville sideline with his arms raised in exasperation.
Then there was the safety called on Hardman for his decision to down a kickoff while kneeling in the end zone with the ball at the 1.