Jaguars predictions: Who do NFL experts pick to win Kansas City Chiefs game in Week 2?
The Jacksonville Jaguars play in one of the biggest games on the NFL schedule Sunday: a playoff rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Jags lost in last season's AFC divisional round 27-20, the Chief's first playoff game en route to a Super Bowl win. Reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes threw two first-half touchdowns to star tight end Travis Kelce in that game. Kelce missed KC's season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions with a bone bruise, and his health will be closely monitored leading up to Sunday's game. The Chiefs also were without its best defensive player, defensive tackle Chris Jones, but coach Andy Reid expects him to be back after his contract holdout ended.
Jacksonville won its Week 1 game 31-21 against the Indianapolis Colts. Calvin Ridley had 101 yards receiving in his Jaguars debut, catching one of Trevor Lawrence's two TD passes of the day. Travis Etienne and rookie Tank Bigsby ran for touchdowns in the fourth quarter to seal the win and set up coach Doug Pederson's fourth meeting against his former mentor (the Jags coach is still seeking his first win in that matchup).
More on the Jags: Does it really matter if Doug Pederson or Press Taylor is Jaguars' play-caller?
Who wins the playoff rematch? Here's a look at predictions by NFL experts and analysts across the nation:
Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY: Chiefs 31-23
"Watch the status of Travis Kelce as gametime nears, but the Chiefs under Patrick Mahomes rarely drop two in a row. The return of Chris Jones figures to be massive, and the Jaguars, despite the preseason buzz, underwhelmed a touch against a weaker Colts team they should have handled far more easily. I love KC in this spot on the rebound from the loss in the opener."
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Chiefs 38-34
"The Chiefs can't start the season 0-2, can they? Patrick Mahomes should see some things sort out offensively with Travis Kelce back as his go-to guy and he'll need him because Trevor Lawrence, Calvin Ridley and the Jaguars' loaded weapons can go to work well. Mahomes digs deep to find his playoff self and this time isn't flukily let down by his receivers."
Maurice Moton, Bleacher Report: Chiefs 27-21
"Coming off a Thursday night game, the Chiefs had a little more time to prepare for this contest as they look to bounce back from a season-opening 21-20 home loss to the Detroit Lions. For now, Kelce looks like he'll make his regular-season debut, which means Patrick Mahomes won't have to rely on a group of No. 3 and No. 4 wide receivers. Kansas City's offense should score more than 20 points with its top pass-catcher back in action.
"Furthermore, Jones' presence beefs up the defensive front. He'll make life difficult for Trevor Lawrence in the pocket and slow down Jacksonville's run game."
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Chiefs 27-24
"The Chiefs need this one. They need to get the ball to players who will catch it."
Brooke Cersosimo, NFL.com: Chiefs 28-26
"Kansas City just wasn't the team we're accustomed to seeing last week without superstars Travis Kelce and Chris Jones. Chiefs receivers totaled five drops(!) and the offense converted just 35.7 percent of its third-down attempts, while the defense logged only one sack. Both franchise cornerstones were back at practice Wednesday, as Jones ended his holdout and Kelce returned from injury for limited work. If these two are indeed back on the field Sunday, I have confidence the Chiefs will be better across the board, giving them a slight edge on the road over a more inconsistent Jaguars group. That said, Trevor Lawrence deserves a lot of credit for where the Jags have gotten to -- a Divisional Round appearance last year and a 1-0 start in 2023 -- and where they're going. But if this contest gets close, I'm riding with No. 15."
Bill Bender, Sporting News: Chiefs 30-27
"Kelce's health remains in question, and Mahomes will need more out of Kansas City's receivers. Trevor Lawrence took a combined seven sacks in those two losses last season. How many snaps will Chris Jones play? We don't blame anyone for taking the Jaguars here."
Chris Simms, Pro Football Talk: Jaguars 28-24
"The Jaguars have an underrated roster; they’ll send Kansas City to 0-2."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Jaguars 31-30
"This is a tough road game for Kansas City after not playing well in the opener. They will have Chris Jones back, and that matters. The Jaguars had problems on the interior of the offensive line last week, which is big against Jones. But I think Trevor Lawrence and the offense will play much better than a week ago. This is a shootout. Jaguars win a close one."
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Jaguars vs. Chiefs predictions: NFL reporters pick Week 2 game 2023
