Jaguars look to beat odds, aren't concerned with 'house money' perception vs. Chiefs

The Jacksonville Jaguars (10-8) are set to take on the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs.

The winner will advance to face off against either the Buffalo Bills or the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. The Chiefs have gone to the AFC title game four years in a row, while Jacksonville hasn't been to the game since the 2017 season.

Jacksonville defeated the Los Angeles Chargers last week 31-30, while the Chiefs enjoyed a first-round bye due to being the top seed in the AFC.

As the fourth seed, and lowest team still in the tournament, the Jaguars will travel to either Buffalo or Cincinnati.

The Jaguars go into the game as nine-point underdogs to the Chiefs. Jacksonville lost 27-17 during the team's first meeting with Kansas City in Week 10.

On Wednesday, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson was asked whether or not the team feels they're playing with house money given that they've exceeded expectations already this year according to the outside world.

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“Whether it’s our money or house money, we’re here," said Pederson. "It’s a credit to those players in the locker room and the coaching staff for believing in each other and working hard."

The Jaguars began the season 3-7 and have gone on to win seven of their last eight games. The team endured a five-game losing streak during the month of October and became only the third team in NFL history to begin a season 2-6 and make the playoffs, joining the 1970 Bengals and 2020 Washington Football Team.

"What we’ve done down the stretch regardless of mishaps, we’re here," Pederson said.

"I try to block out the best I can with the team, you just block out the noise, you block out the negativity, you block out whether it’s lack of respect or whatever. We have a young quarterback, whatever it might be. We’re one of four in the AFC left and that says a lot. That says a lot about these guys, and we’re excited for the opportunity.”

Rematch: Jaguars look to exact revenge for third week in a row

It's the season of rematches for the Jaguars and their past three matchups have been just that. They're currently 2-0 in rematches, defeating both the Chargers (Wild Card) and Titans (Week 18).

The Jaguars also defeated both of those teams during their first meetings of the regular season.

While the team lost to the Chiefs in their first go-around, having already played the AFC's top seed ought to give the team a handle on how they might attack them.

During the teams' first meeting, the Jaguars forced three turnovers and recovered a game-opening onside kick. Still, they fell 20-0 early in the contest.

This time, Jacksonville looks to start fast. The Chiefs ended their regular season with the top-ranked offense in a majority of categories, including points per game at 29.2.

For reference, Jacksonville reached 30 or more points just three times this season, and is ranked ninth in the league at just over 24 points per game.

Pederson knows the Chiefs better than most opposing coaches, especially considering he's spent over half of his life and the majority of his professional coaching career with Chiefs head coach Any Reid.

To him, the team must stay disciplined.

"He’ll (Reid will) have some wrinkles up his sleeve, I know, but for us, it’s just a matter of staying disciplined and trusting what we’re doing and just understand your role within your game plan and just execute each play one at a time," he said.

Arguably the best quarterback in the league, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes enters the game having completed 67.1 percent of his passes for a career-high 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns. He led the NFL in both categories.

'Best in the NFL': Jaguars must be prepared for noise at Arrowhead

There's no question the Jaguars will be walking into a hostile environment Saturday. Though they've played there before, there could be a new level of intensity when they get to Arrowhead Stadium.

“Obviously, the environment and atmosphere we’re going to play in is one of, if not the best, in the NFL. I can’t imagine it will be much louder than our fans were here on Saturday, honestly, but that was when we were on defense, not offense," Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said Tuesday, giving the fans in Jacksonville props for how loud they've been the past two weeks at home.

"We played there earlier in the year, but this is a little bit different. It’s a playoff game, divisional round, so the stakes are higher, so I expect them to be even crazier, more packed stadium, but at the end of the day, you’ve just got to go play, and you’ve got to make sure you communicate."

The atmosphere in Kansas City is palpable. They currently hold the Guinness World Record for the loudest open outdoor air stadium. In 2017, the stadium hit 142.2 decibels during a 2014 game when 76,416 were in the building.

Jacksonville will have to stay focused and communicate throughout the contest in a hostile environment.

Frank Clark will be a huge test for Walker Little

The first time the two teams faced each other, Chiefs DE Frank Clark was not available due to a suspension, missing Weeks 9 and 10 of the regular season.

Clark accounted for five sacks this season and will likely play against Jaguars left tackle Walker Little this week, who is slated to start his fifth game of the year since starting LT Cam Robinson went down with a knee injury in Week 15 against the Cowboys.

"He's a really phenomenal player. Really special on the edge and I think he brings a lot of dynamic playmaking to that front. Great get-off, great speed and he's got a lot of moves," Little said in the locker room this week when asked about Clark.

According to Pro Football Focus, Little has given up just one sack this year.

While Robinson has been on the team's reserve/injured list, he still has tried to help Little when possible when the two might meet in the locker room. Robinson was in the team's locker room following their win against the Chargers, for example.

On Thursday, Pederson mentioned both Robinson and defensive lineman Dawaune Smoot and how they can encourage teammates even while not being on the field.

"It’s good to see them these last couple weekends with the games that we’ve had here, to see them after the game, the excitement, the joy. I just wish those guys were out there with their teammates competing,” said Pederson.

Jaguars questionable; Mecole Hardman out for Chiefs

On Thursday, the Jaguars and the Chiefs released their game-status reports.

Jacksonville listed six players, Lawrence (toe), guard Brandon Scherff (abdomen), receiver Jamal Agnew (shoulder), long snapper Ross Matiscik (back), receiver Kendric Pryor (shoulder) and center Luke Fortner (back) as questionable.

Fortner, who appeared on the injury report for the first time this season this week, is the only new addition. Last week, all five other players were listed as questionable but were deemed able to suit up if necessary. That should be expected this week as well.

For the Chiefs, the team listed just one player on its game-status report, WR Mecole Hardman (pelvis) is the only player still listed and is out for the contest. Players that were on the report earlier in the week, including defensive end Frank Clark (groin) will be fine and are expected to suit up Saturday.

Jaguars uniform combo revealed

The Jaguars will sport white tops, black pants and white socks against the Chiefs on Saturday.

The team sported white tops with black pants and black socks during the team's loss in Week 10 to Kansas City.

Weather could play a factor

The forecast for Saturday in Kansas City calls for rain and snow currently with a high of 38 degrees, according to some models.

Though, it is more likely to occur as the game carries into the night.

With potential inclement weather on the horizon, the Jaguars and the Chiefs could stick to the ground game more often than not.

Jaguars running back Travis Etienne had 109 yards rushing last week against the Chargers. He finished the season with 1,125 yards.

The Chiefs are led by Isiah Pacheco, who had 830 yards during the regular season. They also featured Jerick McKinnon late in the season. Mahomes finished second on the team with 358 rushing yards.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Preview: Jaguars to take on Chiefs in AFC Divisional round at 4:30