JACKSONVILLE – The front-line sample size was small and fast.
Either way, not a bad start.
It was 2024 Preseason Week 1 for the Jaguars – and as for the "starters" in the season's first work against another team, they left with a four-point lead in what became a 26-13 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in front of an announced 61,845 at EverBank Stadium Saturday evening.
"Our guys played fast; they played hard," Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson said.
The Jaguars' first-team offense left Saturday's game with just under five minutes remaining in the first quarter. This followed Pederson's pre-game plan of playing starters two series, but not into the second quarter.
"The execution was pretty good," Pederson said. "We have to clean up a few things."
Added Pederson, "Were there mistakes? Sure. There were mistakes and things we can clean up this week but,I think top to bottom, the guys … credit to them. They played fast and they played physical."
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed three of four passes for 42 yards in two series. His nine-yard touchdown pass to running back Travis Etienne Jr. capped the first series and gave the Jaguars a 7-3 lead they held when the starters left the game.
James Gilbert/Jacksonville Jaguars
"It was great," Lawrence said. "I love touchdowns, so that was good."
Added wide receiver Gabe Davis, who caught a 20-yard first-half pass from Lawrence: "It's going to be an exciting offense to watch."
The Jaguars' first-team defense left after holding the Chiefs' first-team offense to a first-drive field goal and forcing a punt by the Chiefs' second-team offense on the game's second series.
The Jaguars pushed their lead to seven points early in the second quarter with rookie kicker Cam Little's 40-yard field goal. That followed one of the game's highlights – a one-handed, 41-yard reception by rookie first-round receiver Brian Thomas from reserve quarterback C.J. Beathard.
Little also converted second-half field goals of 47 and 31 yards while missing from 62 yards late in the first half.
Beathard completed seven of 14 passes for 126 yards, with his 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Devin Duvernay just before halftime giving the Jaguars an 18-10 lead.
Related Links
- Can't-Miss Play: 73-yard return! Parker Washington provides highlight via new kickoff format
- Can’t-Miss Play: Beathard’s 35-Yard TD Rainbow to Duvernay Gives Jags Lead Before Halftime
- Travis Etienne Catches for a 9-Yard Touchdown vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Mac Jones played the second half at quarterback for the Jaguars, completing nine of 11 passes for 98 yards.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes played only the first series, completing three of four passes for 27 yards.
The Jaguars' defense registered five sacks – 1.5 by defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo, one by second-year linebacker Yasir Abdullah, one by defensive lineman Jonathan Marshall and a half each by defensive lineman Breeland Speaks, defensive end Myles Cole and defensive lineman Tyler Lacy.
"We played really clean all the way across the board," Lawrence said. "Our depth showed on both sides of the ball. Special teams did a great job, too. We got some great work against a good team that does a lot of different things offensively and defensively. They present some challenges.
"It's always good to measure up to measure up against teams like them. We did a good job tonight. We'll take it with a grain of salt, but it feels good to beat them or whoever it is.
"Guys were prepared to play. It was fun to watch."
James Gilbert/Jacksonville Jaguars
Step by Step:
- Harrison Butker's 45-yard field goal capped a seven-play, 43-yard drive on the game's first possession and gave Kansas City a quick 3-0 lead. The Chiefs gained 11, nine, 16 and seven yards on the game's first four plays before Mahomes threw incomplete on third-and-three from the Jaguars 27. Etienne's nine-yard reception with 9:40 remaining in the first quarter capped the ensuing drive four plays after second-year wide receiver Parker Washington returned the kickoff 73 yards to the Kansas City 20.
- Thomas' 41-yard reception highlighted the early part of the second quarter, giving the Jaguars a first down at the Chiefs 40. Running back Tank Bigsby followed the play with a 19-yard run that set up a 40-yard field goal by Little that pushed the lead to 10-3 with 14:10 remaining in the second quarter. Fullback Carson Steele's one-yard run tied it 10-10 with 1:55 remaining in the second quarter. Beathard's 35-yard pass to Duvernay gave the Jaguars an 18-10 lead with :26 remaining in the half. A safety gave the Jaguars a 20-10 lead on the ensuing play, with Chiefs returner Mecole Hardmon retrieving the ball at the one-yard line and kneeling in the end zone – a play that officials ruled a safety after review.
- Little's 47-yard field goal with 2:23 remaining in the third quarter pushed the lead to 23-10.
- Butker's 33-yard field goal with 10:16 remaining pulled the Chiefs to within 23-13 and Little's 31-yard field goal with 3:21 remaining made it 26-13.
Notable Game Moments:
The full list of Jaguars players ruled out for Saturday's game:
- Cornerback Tyson Campbell (precautionary)
- Safety Darnell Savage (shoulder)
- Rookie running back Keilan Robinson (toe)
- Safety Andrew Wingard (knee)
- Rookie offensive lineman Steven Jones (calf)
- Guard Ezra Cleveland (heel)
- Right tackle Anton Harrison (precautionary)
- Defensive lineman Arik Armstead (knee, Physically Unable to Perform)
- Rookie defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson (ankle)
