Either the Chiefs are a lot better than last year, or the Jaguars are every bit as bad as last year. Or maybe a little of both.
In a battle of the two teams with the two worst records in the NFL last season, the Chiefs gave their fans plenty of reasons to believe they’re going to turn things around this season, while the Jaguars turned in a terrible effort in a half-empty stadium.
On the Chiefs’ first drive, they went three-and-out and had the subsequent punt blocked for a safety. The Jaguars took an early 2-0 lead.
After that, it was all Chiefs. Quarterback Alex Smith and running back Jamaal Charles didn’t have many highlight-reel plays, but they methodically marched the offense down the field repeatedly. On defense, the Chiefs held the Jaguars’ offense in check all day. Kansas City won 28-2.
Jacksonville quarterback Blaine Gabbert was terrible, raising questions about how much longer the Jaguars can keep him as the starter. Gabbert completed 16 of 35 passes for 121 yards and two interceptions, and he eventually left the game in favor of Chad Henne, and Jacksonville may need to make that move permanently, or else they’re going to be playing for the right to have the first overall pick in next year’s draft.
But the Chiefs, the team with the first overall pick in this year’s draft looked good. It’s way too early to say the Chiefs are contenders, but it’s not too early to say they look a lot better than they did last year.