Chiefs report card? ‘D’s & ‘F’ tell the story of blowing 2-TD lead at Jacksonville
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs blew a 14-0 lead and lost 31-28, dropping to 2-3 and 0-3 in one-score games
- Mahomes threw two goal-line picks, including a 99-yard interception return that swung momentum
- Defense failed to make the final stop despite Nick Bolton’s 12 tackles; Tyquan Thornton emerged
So now the Chiefs aren’t just going to lose close games, they’re going to do it painfully.
Trevor Lawrence took the late snap and fell down after an offensive lineman stepped on his foot ... but no Chiefs player could tackle him, and Lawrence ran for a game-winning 1-yard touchdown run with 23 seconds remaining.
That sealed a 31-28 road loss for the Chiefs, who had once led the Jags 14-0 in this game. And the Chiefs had entered this season with a 17-game winning streak in one-score games.
This season, they’re 0-3 in such contests. Here’s our analysis and report card grades for this week’s game:
KC STAR OF THE GAME
Linebacker Nick Bolton.
The Jaguars faced fourth and goal at the KC 1 when Lawrence attempted a sneak by stretching the ball over the top of the pile. Bolton was there to knock it away and prevent the touchdown. Bolton finished with 12 tackles, but the Chiefs couldn’t come up with the big stop at the end when it was needed.
Next: The Chiefs continue their prime-time ways when they face the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on “Sunday Night Football.” The Oct. 12 game will kick off at 7:20 p.m. on NBC (Channel 41). The Chiefs are 2-3, the Lions 4-1.
REPORT CARD
Passing offense: D
The play that turned into Devin Lloyd’s 99-yard interception return for a touchdown was a terrible decision by Patrick Mahomes. Lloyd faked a blitz and Mahomes bought it. He’s thrown two picks this season, both at the goal line. Mahomes also may have had the best chance at the tackle but whiffed.
If Tyquan Thornton isn’t Mahomes’ favorite receiver, he’s become the favorite when a play breaks down. Thornton caught two long passes that led to touchdowns when Mahomes was forced to ad-lib. The Jaguars wanted an offensive pass interference on the 2-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce. And the officials flagged it. Then picked it up.
Rushing offense: B
Kareem Hunt’s longest rushing play since 2021 when he was with the Browns — 33 yards — opened the Chiefs’ 97-yard touchdown drive that ended with Mahomes covering the final 9 yards himself. Hunt finished with two touchdown runs.
Isiah Pacheco ran the ball with authority, but once the Chiefs fell behind, the running game disappeared. The Chiefs are 0-3 when Mahomes, who gained 60 yards on the ground, is the team’s leading rusher.
Passing defense: C
Trent McDuffie is an excellent cornerback but not a master of the interception. He got one at a good time, early in the fourth quarter after the Chiefs had fallen behind. It was the third pick of McDuffie’s five-year NFL career.
But a big play was an interception the Chiefs didn’t get — on a tipped ball in the second quarter. KC led 14-0 and could have put a bigger wedge in the game. But neither Bolton nor Drue Tranquill could come up with the tipped ball.
Finally, a pass-interference call in the end zone on Chamarri Conner set up the Jaguars’ game-winning touchdown.
Rushing defense: D
No need to spy Lawrence, right? He entered the game with 32 rushing yards on 15 attempts with no touchdowns.
On the Jaguars’ first scoring drive, he picked up 29 yards on two runs. He late gave himself a birthday present (he turned 26 Monday) with two touchdown runs, including the game-winner.
Earlier, the 1 yard Lawrence didn’t get seemed like it might turn the game. His fumble at the goal line happened because he stretched the ball and Bolton was there to knock it from his grasp.
Don’t forged the play made one snap earlier, when Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks lowered his shoulder and knocked Lawrence out of bounds at the 1, when it appeared he had a free shot at the end zone.
Special teams: F
Brashard Smith had a 62-yard kickoff return. But wait, a penalty on Jack Cochrane negated the play.
Smith had a good day on returns, averaging 29 yards. Later, Nikko Remigio was penalized on a kickoff return. And finally, another penalty on Cochrane on the final kickoff return. A lousy day for the kick-return team.
Harrison Butker’s rough season continued with a kick out of bounds after the Chiefs had taken a 28-24 lead. The Jags started the game-winning possession at their 40.
This story was originally published October 6, 2025 at 10:31 PM.