Meaningful Jaguars football is back! The Jacksonville Jaguars suit up this Sunday for Week 1 against an AFC West opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs got the better of the Jags last year, defeating the Jaguars 30-14.
Here are three things that Jaguars fans should know for Week 1 against the Chiefs:
Jaguars-Chiefs series is split at 6-6
The Jaguars and Chiefs have been evenly matched over the years. The Chiefs enter 2019 with grand aspirations, coming off of their most successful season in years; many expect the Chiefs to be Super Bowl contenders. Last year’s NFL MVP, Patrick Mahomes, looks to build upon his remarkable 2018 season, in which he threw for 5,000-plus yards and 50 touchdowns.
The Jaguars bring new hope with them into the 2019 season. Free agent acquisition Nick Foles looks to bring new energy to this team. The Jaguars are just two seasons removed from a playoff run that ended in an AFC championship game loss to the New England Patriots. The Jaguars are hoping Foles can use his Super Bowl pedigree to help return to the playoffs this season. This could end up being a matchup come January.
Jaguars are, for the most part, healthy for the first time in a while
For the first time in seemingly forever, the Jaguars will face off against the Chiefs relatively healthy. The health of the tight end position has taken some hits, however. Geoff Swaim and rookie Josh Oliver have been banged up all preseason, but in general this is a team ready for when kickoff rolls around Sunday afternoon.
The most important return of injuries will be the offensive line. In 2018, the Jaguars had a lot of trouble getting the run game going and protecting the quarterback. Over the course of the season, Cam Robinson, Brandon Linder and Andrew Norwell each had his season cut short by a significant injury. All three will enter 2019 healthy; the Jaguars will be counting on the offensive line to set the tone and help rejuvenate this offense.
Jalen Ramsey will shadow Tyreek Hill
Two of the league’s biggest stars will square off. Kansas City speedster Tyreek Hill has taken the league by storm, becoming Mahomes’ favorite deep threat. Hill is one of the fastest players in all of the NFL, posting a best of 4.25 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He uses his insane speed to gain separation, and it has worked. In just three seasons, he already has amassed over 3,000 yards and caught 25 touchdowns. In Week 1, however, he will face Ramsey, one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks.
In a press conference earlier this week, Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash indicated that Ramsey will shadow Hill. In 2018, Ramsey was also tasked with this challenge, and for the most part he held Hill in check. Mahomes attacked other areas of the Jags defense en route to the 30-14 win. Fans will get to see Round 2 of this great duel, and Jaguars fans are hoping the tables turn in their favor this go-round.
