KC Chiefs vs Jacksonville Jaguars, Patrick Mahomes scores 13 points in four quarters

The Jaguars, in a "benchmark" game in the 2023 regular-season home opener against the defending Super Bowl champions, couldn't quite overcome Patrick Mahomes – or their own missed opportunities and mistakes – and the Kansas City Chiefs held on for a 17-9 victory in front of 69,615 at EverBank Stadium Sunday afternoon.

"You play good teams, you play well-coached teams, you can't beat yourself; that's what we did today," Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson said.

Added Pederson, "The glaring thing is just our execution."

The Jaguars (1-1) lost an eighth consecutive meeting to the Chiefs (1-1) dating to 2009, with Kansas City beating the Jaguars once in Week 10 last season and once in an AFC Divisional Playoff this past January.

Jones' split sack came in the fourth quarter on third down with the Jaguars inside the Chiefs' 20. The Chiefs forced an incomplete pass on fourth down, and the Jaguars never got the ball back.

"That's what I'm here for, especially plays like that when my number is called,'' Jones said. "For me, it's just another game. No pressure. Most importantly, going out, having fun, enjoying my time back with these guys and making sure we win the game, however that may be.''

Jones was in for 31 of Jacksonville's 64 offensive plays, which ranked fourth among the Chiefs' defensive linemen.

The Chiefs had four sacks, with George Karlaftis also getting 1.5, as the pass rush was more effective than it was in Week 1.

"He looked like the old 9-5 to me,'' said Travis Kelce, referring to Jones by his uniform number.

Indeed, the Chiefs' defense was outstanding throughout Sunday's game, holding the Jaguars to just nine total points – and zero touchdowns – across 11 possessions. Jacksonville was 3-of-12 on third down and 0-3 in the red zone, amassing just 271 yards of total offense on the day.

"The defense was incredible. That's a really good offense, and for [our defense] to shut them down and get some pretty critical stops…The defense won that game," Mahomes said. "We have to continue to get better as an offense – which I think we will – but if the defense plays like that, we're going to be a hard team to beat. That's special."

Very un-Chiefs-like. In fact, the Chiefs even chose to punt on the Jacksonville Jaguars 37 yard line. 

It was 4th-and-9, and a field goal attempt would've been 54 yards. The Chiefs kicker, Harrison Butker, is 2-for-2 on field goals this season, with a long of 39. He made the longest field goal of the season last year at 62 yards, a Chiefs record.

However, in the second half against the Jaguars, Mahomes found Travis Kelce for a touchdown after the tight end missed the opening-week loss to the Lions.

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Sarah H

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