Jaguars vs. Chiefs: An Arrowhead rematch, with AFC title game berth at stake
When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.
TV: NBC.
Radio: 1010-AM, 92.5-FM; Spanish, 930 AM/97.3 FM via Accion; Sirius XM Channel 227.
Live stream: NFL+ Premium.
More Jaguars playoff coverage
'It’s a true team': From camp to playoffs, the Jaguars have established an unbreakable bond
Gene Frenette: Jaguars extending playoff ride through Arrowhead not unrealistic task
The art of the Teal: Jaguars fans celebrating a playoff run that defies belief and metrics
Records: Jaguars 10-8, Chiefs 14-3.
Odds: Jaguars +9; over/under 52.5.
Injuries: Jaguars — questionable, QB Trevor Lawrence (toe), WR Jamal Agnew (shoulder), WR Kendric Pryor (shoulder), LS Ross Matiscik (back), guard Brandon Scherff (abdomen), C Luke Fortner (back); Chiefs — out, WR Mecole Hardman (pelvis).
Last week: The Jaguars defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in a wild-card playoff game. The Chiefs had a first-round bye.
Series history: The Chiefs lead 8-6 but have won the last six games. The two teams have never met in the playoffs.
Last meeting: The Chiefs won 27-17 on Nov. 13 in Kansas City.
About the Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence's four touchdown passes last week against the Chargers broke the franchise record for the most in one playoff game (Mark Brunell had three in 1999 vs. the New York Jets) and he's the youngest player in NFL history to throw for four touchdowns in one playoff game.
The Jaguars' defense has given up 52 points in its last four games, an average of 13 per game. The unit has not given up a touchdown in the second half since Dallas on Dec. 18, a span of four games.
The victory over the Chargers gave the Jags an 8-7 playoff record, and a 4-1 mark at home. Coach Doug Pederson is 5-2 in the playoffs, the second-best winning percentage (71.4) among active NFL head coaches, with a minimum of five games.
About the Chiefs
Kansas City has compiled an overall record of 64-16 and a playoff record of 8-3 with quarterback Patrick Mahomes starting. The Chiefs won the 2019 Super Bowl and lost the 2020 Super Bowl to Tampa Bay. Two of the three playoff losses were by a combined nine points.
Mahomes has thrown for 1,022 yards, seven touchdowns, three interceptions, a 68.9 completion percentage and a 109.87 passer rating in three starts against the Jaguars. On Nov. 13, he was 26 of 35 for 331 yards and four touchdown passes in a 27-17 victory.
The Chiefs led the NFL in scoring with 29.17 points per game but didn't have a 1,000-yard rusher or wide receiver. Isaiah Pacheco led in rushing with 830 yards and Juju Smith-Schuster led KC wide receivers in yards with 933.
Key Matchup
Jaguars OG Tyler Shatley vs. Chiefs DT Chris Jones
At 6 feet 6 and 311 pounds, Jones is 3 inches taller and about 6 pounds heavier than Shatley. But the veteran Jaguars left guard and the only player who was on the 2017 playoff team held his own against Jones in the Nov. 13 game.
Jones had two tackles and 1.5 sacks in that game and has four tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception in three career games against the Jaguars. Of course, fans remember Jones' hit on Nick Foles in the opening game of the 2019 season, just as Foles unleashed a 35-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Chark in the first quarter. The hit broke Foles' collarbone and more or less ended his Jaguars career as quickly as it started.
The Chiefs move Jones around and he could wind up going against right guard Brandon Scherff or tackles Jawaan Taylor and Walker Little. Jones, a seven-year veteran, had another All-Pro season. He led all NFL defensive tackles and tied for fourth overall with 15.5 sacks, matching his career high. He also had two forced fumbles and four passes defensed.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars vs. Chiefs: QB battle with Trevor Lawrence against Patrick Mahomes
