Intriguing Game- Week One
Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars
Chiefs: They finished the 2018 season with the top record in the AFC (12-4), the top seed in the AFC playoffs and hosted their first AFC Championship Game. As much as Patrick Mahomes deserved MVP, I’ve seen some people say he shouldn’t have won it. I disagree because the Chiefs don’t win 12 games, win the AFC West or clinch home-field through the postseason without number 15. He put together one of the greatest debut seasons that I’ve seen from a football player. Each week, he wowed me with the throws from the pocket or on the run along with how he was able to stand tall in the spotlight, a stage where some people don’t know what to do but he did. The Chiefs offense was the best in the league, but after a full year of playing together, defenses now will have an idea on how to stop them so it’ll be interesting to see what type of game plan the Chiefs will use early on in the season to move the ball. Just like last year, their run to a Super Bowl will depend on their defense. One move they made was the decision not to bring back the heart and soul of their team, Eric Berry, but replaced with Tyrann Mathieu who will do wonders for this team. He can do everything and leaves it all on the field. It’s year two of the Mahomes era and they kick off the season in Florida to face the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jaguars: After a successful 2017 campaign, the expectation were extremely high for Doug Marrone and the Jaguars. They were a game away from reaching the Super Bowl and won their first two games of the 2018 season, including a big win over the New England Patriots in a rematch of the 2017 AFC Championship. When all looked as if things were on the up and up, they hit a bad losing streak and the wheels just fell completely off the car. We knew the offense had their question marks with Blake Bortles as the quarterback, Leonard Fournette missed some game with a lingering hamstring issue, but the biggest thing I took away was the inconsistencies shown on the defensive side which was considered to be one of the best in the league. There was no effort and I even mentioned the lack of leadership on the defense because if they had that, Jalen Ramsey wouldn’t be saying who’s not good at something. The Jaguars did what many expected of them in the offense which was move on from Blake Bortles and sign Nick Foles. It’s a new year and a new season is set to begin.
Chiefs Player To Watch: Tyrann Mathieu– He’s exactly the type of player the Chiefs needed on defense. He’s what I call an ‘all-purpose defender”. He can line up in the box as an additional defender, he can cover a ton of ground in the secondary and he will try to make a play on the football. He can be that sparkplug that can give the Chiefs defense a jolt.
Jaguars Player To Watch: Myles Jack– I’ve always been a fan of the way he plays the game. He’s extremely quick off the snap which makes it difficult for anyone trying to block him to adjust on the fly. Whenever the defense makes those changes to send him on a blitz, he’s always getting into the backfield untouched. He covers the flat, can defend tight ends and running backs in pass coverage. He’s always moving.
Final Analysis: These teams met last season in a highly anticipated matchup which was strength facing strength. It was the Jaguars top ranked defense against the Chiefs top ranked offense. Jacksonville didn’t show up that day. This is year two of the Mahomes experience. Teams will have a full year of film on him which means he won’t be as dominant as he was in 18. Is Nick Foles the answer for Jacksonville? We will find out this season. I need a bounce back year from the Jaguars defense. They had too much talent in each tier to struggle how they did in 2018. Focus on what’s in front of you and not breaking everyone else down in the league. What type of approach will the Chiefs offense take this year? Everyone has that film on them as I said up top.
Prediction: Chiefs 29 Jaguars 21
