The Kansas City Chiefs got less than they had hoped for in their first preseason scrimmage of 2024 following a sloppy 26-13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium.
The first play of the game set the tone for how the night would go for Kansas City. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed an 11-yard pass to Hollywood Brown, who was met immediately by a Jacksonville defender that drove him into the ground and injured his shoulder. Brown did not play for the rest of the night.
That first drive went eight plays for 43 yards but fizzled out at the Jags’ 27. Harrison Butker kicked in a 45-yard field goal to give the Chiefs a 3-0 lead. Mahomes’ night finished after that first drive, completing 3 of 4 passes for 27 yards.
Defensively, Kansas City’s pass defense struggled all night and allowed Jacksonville’s offenses to combine for 246 yards and two touchdowns. It also appears the Chiefs will be on the learning curve for the dynamic kickoff.
Their first attempt on special teams led to multiple players missing their assignments and allowing a gaping hole for Parker Washington to dart through and gain 73 yards to the Chiefs’ 35.
On the Jaguars’ first possession, Trevor Lawrence was flawless, going 2-for-2 on his throws and scoring a passing touchdown to running back Travis Etienne.
Two Jaguars possesses later, the Jacksonville opened the second quarter, taking the lead via 40-yard field goal by Cam Little. Kansas City didn’t show a lot on offense until late in the first half. Undrafted rookie fullback Carson Steele’s first NFL handoff was an impressive 20-yard run that broke three tackles on his way to the Jag’s 45.
Steele’s run was part of an 18-play drive that ended with the UCLA standout pounding his way across the goal line for the one-yard touchdown, tying the game at 10.
However, the Jaguars capped off the first half by torching the Chiefs defense as back-up QB C. J. Beathard ended a seven-play drive with a 35-yard throw to WR Devin Duvernay for the touchdown. Jacksonville succeeded in the two-point conversion try the following play.
On the kickoff, more good fortune went Jacksonville’s way as second-year WR Nikko Remigio muffed the return as the ball went into the end zone before rolling out again. Mecole Hardman tried to save the play by reaching across the goal line for the ball while in the end zone. Under the new rules, the play was ruled a safety, resulting in two more points for the Jags and a free kick.
Kansas City into halftime down 20-10.
Not much occurred in the second half as both team’s backups traded possessions in the final two quarters. Jacksonville collected a field goal in the third and another in the fourth, as did Kansas City..
Overall, the Chiefs showed they’re got plenty to improve upon once they get back to St. Joseph. Their next preseason game will be Saturday, August 17 on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium against the Detroit Lions. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.
