JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — For Kansas City, it’s just another prime-time game. For Jacksonville, it’s a chance for a statement game.
Although the Jaguars (3-1) have lost eight in a row in the series — their most recent victory came in 2009 — they are approaching their “Monday Night Football” matchup against the three-time defending AFC champion Chiefs (2-2) with a “who cares about the past” mentality.
New team. New year. New outlook.
“It’s not about the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s not about Patrick Mahomes. It’s about us,” Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen said. “If we come out there and we execute what we do, we can play with anybody in the National Football League. …
“Obviously, when they’re really good, they’re really good. But when you can affect them, you can affect them, and it shows.”
Jacksonville has a growing belief that the franchise’s latest rebuild is sustainable. The Jaguars already have proof of concept under general manager James Gladstone, head coach Liam Coen and executive vice president Tony Boselli.
The Jags have been more physical than their opponents though four weeks, evidenced by having the league’s fourth-best rushing attack and a league-leading 13 takeaways.
The Chiefs come in with some momentum, having won their past two games in lopsided fashion to get to .500. They’re coming off a 37-20 victory against Baltimore in which Mahomes threw four touchdown passes.
“The guys made plays, and we were able to score a lot of points,” Mahomes said. “But I’m always big on execution, executing the plays that were called and everybody on the same page. That’s something we did at a high level this past game.”
Kansas City’s eight-game winning streak against Jacksonville is tied for the franchise’s longest current run — one the Jaguars would love to end and potentially change the narrative about a franchise that’s endured 11 losing seasons in its past 14 years.
“Just looking at what it is, (Kansas City has) been the team to beat in the AFC,” Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. “They’ve been the top dog and they’ve kind of ran the conference. This is an opportunity for us to show what kind of team we are.
“You don’t have to be Superman or anything like that, but you have to play well.”
