The Jacksonville Jaguars opened their 2024 NFL preseason on Saturday night with a 26-13 home win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Saturday night’s home win against the Chiefs was a promising showing for the Jaguars offense, which was often initiated by explosive special teams returns. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was 3 of 4 in his two series for 42 yards and a passing touchdown.
Live blog:
Stay up to date with all the key moves and best moments from today’s game in our live blog!
Game summary:
Quarter 1
The Chiefs opened the game with a 7-play, 42-yard field goal drive where the Jaguars defense initially seemed to struggle to slow down the Chiefs offense. The Chiefs opened their drive with plays of 11, 9, 16 and 7 yards before a gainless run and a dropped 3rd down conversion by Chiefs WR Rashee Rice, forcing the field goal. (Chiefs – 3, Jaguars – 0)
Receiver Parker Washington and the Jaguars return unit immediately answered the ensuing kickoff with an electrifying 73-yard kick return to the Chiefs’ 20-yard line, and the offense later scored on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence to Travis Etienne. (Chiefs – 3, Jaguars 7)
The Chiefs’ starting offense was put on ice after the first series, with Pat Mahomes completing 3 of 4 passes for 27 yards, one dropped pass, and Isiah Pacheco gaining 16 yards on two attempts. The defense was more successful against the Chiefs’ second line of offense led by Carson Wentz, forcing a three-and-out after allowing a first down pass. The Jaguars’ starting offense stayed in the game for the following series, picking up a first down, then getting stuck on a Trevor Lawrence sack on fourth down at midfield.
The offensive line was able to open up more running lanes against the second unit, with Tank Bigsby giving the Chiefs a 9 and 19-yard lead in the front. The field goal drive was then capped by a 41-yard pass from CJ Beathard to Brian Thomas Jr. (Chiefs – 3, Jaguars – 10).
Quarter 2
After quick series from both offenses, the Chiefs’ third line of offense managed a 16-play touchdown drive in which the Jaguars defense had trouble breaking blocks or tackling Chiefs running back Carson Steele on his three runs. (Chiefs – 10, Jaguars – 10)
CJ Bethard’s offense quickly answered with a two-minute drive score of its own. With a defender charging toward him, Bethard threw a deep pass to wide receiver Devin Duvernay, who acrobatically made a 35-yard touchdown catch. They then converted the two-point conversion after a penalty was called for roughing the quarterback. (Chiefs – 10, Jaguars – 18)
After a Chiefs special teams error that saw the returner intentionally go into the end zone to score a safety, the Jaguars gave kicker Cam Little the opportunity to end the half with a 55-yard field goal attempt. Little had the distance he needed but missed the ball just to the right. (Chiefs – 10, Jaguars – 20)
Quarter 3
The third quarter flew by, with both teams punting on their first possessions, followed by a 7-play, 66-yard drive capped by a 47-yard field goal by Cam Little. The highlight of the drive was a 22-yard completion of Mac Jones by Austin Trammell. (Chiefs – 10, Jaguars – 23)
Quarter 4
The Chiefs scored a field goal of their own on a 13-play, 57-yard drive that featured Jaguars new defensive end Breeland Speaks on several snaps. (Chiefs – 13, Jaguars – 23)
The Jaguars returned their own field goal drive, a 14-play, 55-yard drive that culminated in an impressive sideline catch of Josiah Deguara by Mac Jones. (Chiefs – 13, Jaguars – 26)
Biggest move of the game:
Parker Washington opened the Jaguars’ first offensive possession with the longest kick return of the NFL preseason.
This return gave the starting offense its first touchdown of the day.
Best highlight:
Arguably one of the best plays of the game is one that didn’t make the stat sheet, as Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell made a SportsCenter top-ten play when he stripped the ball from the Chiefs receiver and returned it for a touchdown, but the touchdown was later overturned on replay.
I don’t care what the refs say, Christian Braswell got cheated here. Braswell initially tripped over the receiver’s feet and gave up the catch. However, he never gave up on the play and made a highly intelligent play. What a play for a guy fighting to make the roster!
Honorable Mention
Key statistics:
- QB Trevor Lawrence: 3/4 for 42 yards, 1 TD pass and a QB rating of 147.9
- RB Travis Etienne: 4 carries, 3 yards, with a long run of 5 yards (9 yards receiving touchdown)
- WR Brian Thomas Jr.: 1 catch, 41 yards
- DE Breeland speaks: 1 tackle, 2 QB hits and a 1⁄2 bag
- Jaguars defense with 5 sacks on the night
View the full match report Here
Game balls:
- Special teams – Parker Washington with a 73-yard kick return and a 13-yard punt return
- Attack – Tank Bigsby with 3 carries, 28 yards, 9.3 per carry and a 45-yard kick return (currently the third longest kick return in the NFL)
- Defense – Terrell Edmunds with 3 tackles, 2 forced fumbles (one forced fumble was nullified due to an unrelated penalty) and he allowed just 6 yards in coverage according to PFF. As a bonus, both of Edmunds’ forced fumbles were of the hit stick type.
Notable injuries:
The following players did not play in Saturday’s game:
- LG Ezra Cleveland (ankle)
- RT Anton Harrison (concussion)
- OT Steven Jones (calf)
- RB/RS Keilan Robinson (toe)
- DT Arik Armstead (PUP – knee)
- DT Jordan Jefferson (ankle)
- CB Tyson Campbell (ankle)
- S Andrew Wingard (knee)
- S Darnell Savage (rotator cuff)
The following players left Saturday’s game with known injuries or ailments:
- Ventrell Miller had a slight shoulder injury but returned and finished the match
All highlights:
You can watch the best plays from Week 1 of preseason play on the NFL’s YouTube channel. Here.
Open questions after the game:
- Will the Jaguars’ starting OL lineup be able to boost the running game?
While Tank Bigsby and the 2nd unit, along with D’Ernest Johnson and the 3rd team, had a great performance, Travis Etienne and the starting group struggled to open up gaps early. The return of LG Ezra Cleveland and RT Anton Harrison this week will hopefully benefit the rushing attack.
- Will the defense be able to stop the run?
Before halftime, the Jaguars’ starting and backup defenses had allowed runs of 20, 16, 10 and 8 yards. With both Arik Armstead and Jordan Jefferson sitting out this game, the question of whether this defense can stop the opponent’s running game will have to wait another week for a definitive answer in 2023.
- The battle for the backup QB is still open
While one of the biggest offensive highlights of the night, the 41-yard deep ball to Brian Thomas Jr., was thrown by second-string QB CJ Bethard, QB Mac Jones was more efficient on the night. Bethard completed 7 of 14 passes for 125 yards, one TD pass, one run for 5 yards, and a QB rating of 104.8 on his two scoring drives (missed FG, made FG, and touchdown). Mac Jones, meanwhile, completed 9 of 10 passes for 98 yards, no touchdowns, and a QB rating of 107.5 on his two FG drives on the night.
What do you think about tonight’s game, Jaguars fans? Let us know in the comments!
