The Chiefs, with an ailing and hobbled Patrick Mahomes, ended the storybook season of the Jaguars with a 27-20 win in the AFC divisional playoffs on a cold Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
provided a change-of-pace out of the backfield rushing for 95 yards on 12 carries. And even a gimpy Mahomes was too good to slow down. “I mean I’m not coming out of a playoff game unless they take me out.
I’m just going to play,” Mahomes said. “I love this sport too much; I love this game. I love playing with my teammates and being able to go out there and enjoy it together. Jacksonville’s offense played too conservative and labored to move the ball most of the game before finding a bit of rhythm in the final quarter. Lawrence marched Jacksonville 75 yards in seven plays withIt didn’t matter. Even limping and wincing with every snap, Mahomes was just too good. He responded with an MVP-caliber march, hitting three different receivers on the drive, the final one tofrom 6 yards out for a 27-17 lead. Jacksonville had its chances to answer, but Agnew’s fumble and Lawrence’s interception made it too steep of a climb. When Jacksonville dissects the final game of its remarkable season, it will no doubt circle back to a handful of plays. nearly picked off a batted Mahomes pass with just under 10 minutes to play in the first quarter, but it bounced out of his hands. Mahomes fired an 8-yard touchdown pass to Kelce four plays later.punt at the 2 and seemed positioned to drain the cheers from Arrowhead Stadium. Instead, Jacksonville’s defense watched as backup quarterback Henne marched the Chiefs 98 yards in 12 plays, capped by a 1-yard touchdown pass to Kelce.. He was open with two defenders trailing him and would have likely gone into the end zone untouched. But Kirk simply whiffed on catching it. Jacksonville ultimately settled for a Patterson 41-yard field goal to get within 17-10. “We are all hurting because of the loss, but we are all hurting because it is the final game of this year,” Pederson said. “That is the hard thing. Like I told the guys, these are the games we are going to learn from and be better because of them. I told them plan on every year us being in these meaningful games at the end of the season. We want to be one of the four, five, or six teams in the AFC every year.” The end result is disappointing, sure, but not even the most ardent Jaguars fan could have predicted a finish like this. The Jaguars were sitting at 3-7 after a loss to the Chiefs in Week 10. What followed was comparable to the magical second half run in 1996. Jacksonville ended the regular season on a 6-1 tear, including a 20-16, come-from-behind win over the Titans in prime-time in Week 18. That delivered an AFC South title and the first home playoff game since the 2017 season. We all know what happened next. “When you go out there and it all finally comes to an end, it hurts. It stings. There are emotions, there are tears. You put it all on the line and you put so much into this stuff.,” Kirk said. “It’s not supposed to be easy to lose and to move on from it. It is going to sting and it is going to hurt. I am so proud of everybody in this locker room and this team to be in this place and to be where we are today.” Pederson’s first season has traits of 1996 for more than just the numbers. That 1996 season, Jacksonville’s second in the NFL, was the first of four consecutive playoff berths. It peaked in 1999 with a 14-2 regular season record and a second AFC title game appearance. The Jaguars were the second-youngest team in the playoffs this season. An arc like what Jacksonville saw after 1996 is absolutely going to be expected. Lawrence’s growth as a player and a leader is a significant reason for those expectations to be through the future sunshade cover at TIAA Bank Field. He’ll start the 2023 season as a top 10 quarterback in the league and is a massive sales pitch to free agents in the coming years. “It’s hard to even think about next year right now because ... this loss is fresh,” Lawrence said. “But we’re going to be back and this is the new standard. We set that and this is the bar and we’ll be back.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Transformation: The Jaguars are a different team from their first showdown against the ChiefsThe Jaguars are riding a 7-1 streak since losing to Kansas City in Week 10. They're a brand new team in their opinion.
Read more »
Jaguars look to beat odds, aren't concerned with 'house money' perception vs. ChiefsThe Jaguars (10-8) look to keep their season alive by defeating the Chiefs (14-3) on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the AFC Divisional playoffs.
Read more »
Jacksonville Beach sports bars & restaurants expect big turnout as Jaguars take on ChiefsAs the Jaguars are set to play the Chiefs in Kansas City, many fans will get together and cheer them on — some 1,100 miles away, in Jacksonville.
Read more »
Jaguars vs Chiefs Odds, Picks & Predictions - NFL Divisional RoundWith a win today, Kansas City will be headed to their fifth consecutive AFC Championship. Travis Kelce is going to play a huge role, of course. Our NFL picks with Covers_Ro take a look at how Kelce factors in on Saturday. ⬇️⬇️
Read more »
Chiefs vs. Jaguars prediction: NFL Divisional Round playoff odds, picksHere’s how we’re betting Saturday’s contest between the Chiefs and Jaguars, which kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Read more »
Chiefs vs. Jaguars player props: NFL divisional round picks, oddsHere’s a player prop we like when the Chiefs take on the Jaguars at 4:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday.
Read more »