Chiefs-Jaguars: Three ways Jacksonville has improved since last game against KC
For a while Sunday, it looked like the Miami Dolphins might be coming to Arrowhead Stadium for next weekend’s AFC Divisional playoff game.
But the Bills got things turned around and held off the Dolphins. That win, coupled with Cincinnati’s victory over the Ravens, means another team from Florida will be in Kansas City this Saturday.
The Chiefs will face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who stunned the Chargers on Saturday night by rallying from a 27-point deficit and winning 31-30.
Jacksonville will be back in Kansas City after having played at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 13. The Chiefs jumped to a 20-0 lead and won comfortably that day, 27-17. The Jaguars’ record dropped to 3-7 with that defeat. Since then, they’ve lost just once.
What’s been behind the turnaround? Here are three reasons Jacksonville has improved since that November day.
1. Lawrence’s strong play
In the seven regular-season games since losing to the Chiefs, quarterback Trevor Lawrence has completed 67.8% of his passes with 1,779 passing yards, 12 touchdown throws and two interceptions. He has two touchdown runs and has rushed for 113 yards in that time.
Lawrence had a dreadful first half against the Chargers, throwing four interceptions, but he put it together when it mattered. As CBS Sports noted, Lawrence completed 23 of 29 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns on the Jaguars’ final five drives.
One reason for Lawrence’s improvement: He’s getting rid of the ball quickly. The Athletic noted Lawrence averaged 2.3 seconds from snap to passing the ball on first and second downs over the last 10 weeks of the regular season. Only Tom Brady released the ball quicker in that span, The Athletic said.
2. Allen finishes strong
When the Jaguars got off to the slow start, many Chiefs fans hoped the team would land Jacksonville edge rusher Josh Allen before the trade deadline.
Allen slumped early in the season, going through an eight-game stretch without a sack. That included the first meeting with the Chiefs.
He got on track late in the season in a big way.
The Associated Press noted Allen had three sacks and 23 quarterback pressures in the Jaguars’ final five regular-season games. He also had a fumble return for a touchdown that wrapped up the Jaguars’ 20-16 win over the Titans and clinched Jacksonville’s AFC South title in Week 18.
On Saturday, Allen had a sack, four quarterback hits and a tackle for loss against the Chargers.
3. Zay steps up
Wide receiver Christian Kirk led the Jaguars with 84 receptions, but the emergence of receiver Zay Jones has boosted the team.
Jones averaged 46.3 yards per game with just one touchdown catch in the Jaguars’ first 10 games. That increased to 58 receiving yards a game with four touchdowns in the Jags’ final seven contests. Jones’ only two games with 100-plus receiving yards came after he faced the Chiefs.
In the Wild Card win over the Chargers, Jones had eight catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.
.Jones, who played the last three seasons with the Raiders, was asked by Jaguars Report about his strong play.
“I think honestly, just the consistency of playing through a duration of the season,” Jones said. “I did it earlier in my career. I more so had to take a different approach and role when I was with Las Vegas as far as knowing the dynamic of our team and what my role was. And this one, I’m more a part of it, more games, more opportunities, maintenance on my body.
“Trying to stay as healthy as possible, understanding that when I look at Christian and Marv (Jones Jr.) and Ag (Jamaal Agnew), it’s just us, we have to go make the play.”
This story was originally published January 16, 2023 at 8:52 AM.
