Patrick Mahomes ran one series and led the Chiefs to a field goal. Trevor Lawrence ran two series for the Jacksonville Jaguars and led his team to a shortfield touchdown. Both were out of the game before the end of the first quarter.
That’s the way it is with preseason games. The Jags won this one 26-13, as the reserves won the last three or more quarters.
Last year, the Chiefs also lost their first preseason game but went on to win their second consecutive Super Bowl, so that’s something.
KC STAR OF THE GAME
In his first NFL game, rookie cornerback Jaden Hicks was the Chiefs’ most active defender. In the first half, Hicks made a couple of nice tackles, including one for a loss, and he made a beautiful tackle in the open field on a punt return to prevent a potentially big gain.
Next: The Chiefs’ second preseason game is Saturday, August 17, against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The game begins at 3 p.m. and will be broadcast on KSHB (Channel 41).
TRANSCRIPT
Passing offense: B
Mahomes’ best pass was his first, to Hollywood Brown, and the new wide receiver injured his shoulder in the process. Carson Wentz completed all four of his attempts, but the Chiefs punted on three of his drives. Chris Oladokun looked great on his touchdown drive late in the second quarter.
All four quarterbacks, including Ian Book, played, and the group together had a good percentage of successful passes, mostly on short throws. But there were no long passes to rookie Xavier Worthy or anyone else. Perhaps the Chiefs are saving that for the regular season.
Running Attack: C
Isiah Pacheco galloped for a 16-yard gain, but the Chiefs’ best performance came from fullback Carson Steele, who broke three tackles on his 20-yard gain. Steele capped the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run on third down.
Pass defense: D
Joshua Williams was burned on a 41-yard pass from backup quarterback CJ Beathard to Brian Thomas, and Beathard later in the half took over from Nic Jones on a 35-yard touchdown. Not a good night for pass coverage.
A bright spot was Jack Cochrane, who stopped a tackle on fourth down in the first half by sacking Lawrence.
Attack defense: C
The Jaguars averaged nearly six yards per attempt. But among the ten or so players who missed the game due to injury, neither Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi nor Nick Bolton were among them.
Special teams: D
On the new kick-off rule…
The Chiefs’ coverage team was caught off guard on the Jaguars’ first return when Harrison Butker kicked the ball to the 7 and Parker Washington returned it 73 yards to the 20. After getting through the crowd, Washington had to be caught from behind. That’s the kind of play the NFL had in mind when it changed the rule.
The Chiefs’ Louis Rees-Zammit sank the opening kickoff. The Chiefs were penalized on their second kickoff return, and on the third, the Jags kicked the ball through the end zone, leaving Mecole Hardman looking toward the Jacksonville sideline with his arms raised in horror.
Then Hardman was called by the safety for deciding to down a kickoff while kneeling in the end zone with the ball on the 1-yard line.
