By way of “Monday Night time Soccer” appearances, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have been at reverse ends of the spectrum of late.
Jacksonville has performed a Monday night time recreation in every of the final two seasons. Earlier than that, there was a 12-year hole between appearances, relationship again to 2011.
Kansas Metropolis, alternatively, has performed 17 Monday night time video games since 2011, together with a number of instances throughout three completely different seasons since Patrick Mahomes grew to become the beginning quarterback in 2018.
And but, it is the Jaguars (3-1) who enter Monday’s recreation towards the visiting Chiefs (2-2) with a greater document than a crew that has gained three Tremendous Bowls within the final six years and has crushed them the final eight instances they’ve performed.
“Large. Only a nice alternative,” Jaguars head coach Liam Coen mentioned. “That is going to be a blast.”
The Chiefs seem like getting again on observe following their first 0-2 begin since 2014. After securing a win over the Giants, Kansas Metropolis’s offense was in full gear throughout a dominating 37-20 victory towards the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
In his first recreation again after dislocating his proper shoulder on the fourth play of the season opener, receiver Xavier Worthy led the Chiefs in each receiving yards (83 on 5 catches) and dashing yards (38 on two carries).
Whereas Worthy did not attain the top zone, 4 different gamers caught landing passes from Mahomes, who threw extra TDs towards Baltimore than within the first three video games mixed (three).
“The execution, I believe, was the largest factor,” Mahomes mentioned. “Clearly, guys made performs and we had been in a position to rating a variety of factors, however I am all the time huge on the execution. … I believe that was one thing that we did at a really excessive degree this final recreation.”
In Coen’s first season, Jacksonville is off to a 3-1 begin for simply the second time within the final 15 seasons after happening the street handy San Francisco its first lack of the marketing campaign final week.
After Tampa Bay ranked fourth in dashing yards final 12 months throughout Coen’s solely season as offensive coordinator, that floor success has carried over to the Jaguars.
Jacksonville ranks fourth in dashing offense (144.0 yards per recreation). Travis Etienne Jr., who ran for 124 yards vs. the 49ers, is third within the league in dashing yards (394) and is averaging a league-best 6.1 yards per carry amongst gamers with 25 or extra rushes.
“Coen has an excellent knack for a way the sport goes, getting playmakers the ball,” Etienne mentioned. “I really feel like that is why we accomplish that good (on the bottom).”
Maybe the Jaguars’ even larger transformation, although, comes on the opposite aspect of the ball. A 12 months after ending final with simply 9 takeaways, Jacksonville’s protection now leads the league with 13 (9 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries) and a plus-nine differential.
One thing must give when a Jacksonville protection that has compelled three-plus turnovers in every recreation goes up towards a Chiefs offense that has turned the ball over simply as soon as thus far this season.
“They go after it,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid mentioned. “You have to just be sure you’re conscious of that as you play them.”
Jaguars defensive finish Travon Walker underwent wrist surgical procedure Monday and didn’t apply Thursday. Regardless of that, Coen did not rule out the previous No. 1 general choose from enjoying this week.
“He’ll attempt to do all the things in his energy,” Coen mentioned. “He cares a lot.”
Linebacker Yasir Abdullah (hamstring) was additionally out Thursday, whereas working again Bhayshul Tuten (shoulder), receiver Dyami Brown (shoulder), security Eric Murray (neck) and 5 offensive linemen (three starters) had been restricted.
For the Chiefs, cornerback Kristian Fulton (ankle) was the one restricted participant in Thursday’s apply, and no person was sidelined.
–Area Degree Media