The Kansas City Chiefs visit sunny Florida to battle the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mahomes and the Chiefs are 0-1 after losing to Detroit 20-21 in their season opener. Kansas City struggled offensively, and their secondary looked sketchy. Jacksonville is coming off a 31-21 win over division rival Indianapolis. The Jags looked good on both sides of the ball and will now try to stay undefeated on the season in week 2.
Can Mahomes and the Chiefs bounce back and get the win, or will Lawrence and the Jaguars prove they are contenders in 2023?
Chiefs vs. Jaguars Betting Odds and Match Details
| Team | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
| Kansas City | -3
-110 |
O51
-110 |
-162 |
| Jacksonville | +3
-110 |
U51
-110 |
+136 |
|
**Odds Subject to Change** |
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- Fixture: Kansas City @ Jacksonville
- Date and Time: September 17, 2023, @ 1 p.m. EST
- Location: TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida
- Field Surface: Bermuda Grass
- Weather Forecast: 86 Degrees and 50% Chance of Scattered Showers
Key Stats
Chiefs
The defending Super Bowl champs started their 2023 season with a loss to the Lions at home. Patrick Mahomes completed 21 of 39 passes for 226 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. Mahomes also led the team with 45 rushing yards on 6 carries. The Chiefs receivers had a night to forget and dropped several catchable balls. The running was nonexistent, with Pacheco and Edwards-Helaire combining for 45 rushing yards.
The Chiefs missed Chris Jones on the defense. They gave up 118 yards rushing, and the secondary surrendered 250 passing yards. The score does not reflect how bad Kansas City played in this one, but Travis Kelce might be back, and Chris Jones signed a new contract and should be back as well.
Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars scored two touchdowns in under 90 seconds to secure a win over the Colts in week one. Trevor Lawrence completed 24 of 32 passes for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Calvin Ridley balled out in his NFL return, catching 8 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Travis Etienne Jr. carried the rock 18 times for 77 yards and a touchdown, and receiver Zay Jones added five receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown, as well.
Defensively, they held the Colts to 280 total yards of offense and collected four sacks, one interception, and two fumble recoveries. Josh Allen went beserk, collecting eight solo tackles and three sacks in the game. Jacksonville will have to bring their ‘A’ game on Sunday as they face a Chiefs team that is looking to silence the neigh-sayers.
Injury Report
Chiefs
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB)- Illness Questionable
- Travis Kelce (TE)– Knee Questionable
- Jody Fortson (TE)- Shoulder (IR)
- Nazeeh Johnson (S)- Knee (IR)
Jaguars
- Tyler Lacy (DE)- Hip Questionable
- Antonio Johnson (DB)- Hamstring Questionable
- Brandon Scherff (OG)- Ankle Questionable
- Gregory Junior (CB)- Hamstring Questionable
Game Prediction
The Jacksonville Jaguars come into this as the underdogs, and I find that very intriguing. Mahomes may have Kelce back this week, but that does not change the fact that the rest of his receivers are terrible. Chris Jones returning will be a boost for the defense, but again, one person won’t change the game that much.
Chiefs-Jags fun facts
Mahomes career record is 75-20. But, he’s lost more vs AFC South (5) than any other AFC division (East=4, North=4, West=3) and NFC (4)
KC has 7 won straight vs JAC, Jags last won in series in 2009
Andy Reid is 3-0 vs disciple Doug Pederson#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/bvAJUZm2OP
— Braden Holecek (@BradenHolecek9) September 12, 2023
Kansas City’s secondary is going to have issues containing one of the best receiver corps in the league. They struggled against Detroit, and I see that trend continuing in this one. Jacksonville needs to double-cover Kelce and force Mahomes to throw it elsewhere. The Jags need to get the running game going early and avoid Chris Jones. If they can do that, I see the Chiefs falling to 0-2 on the season. Look, I said it once, and I will say it again: the Chiefs are overrated this year. I am rolling with the Jags to get the win in this one. Doug Pederson will finally get a win against Andy Reid.
Final Pick:
Jacksonville Jaguars +136 MoneyLine
For more sports news, betting, and fantasy, follow me on Twitter @JudgeDusty.
