Jaguars at Chiefs: Game preview, odds, prediction
By Brad Weiss
The Kansas City Chiefs will play host to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday as they look to continue their winning ways at home.
It has been a rough season for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, as they have performed way below expectations to this point. The team has already fired their offensive coordinator, and young quarterback Blake Bortles looks to have taken a step back in his development. It will not get any easier on Sunday, as they head to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the red hot Kansas City Chiefs.
Kansas City is always tough at home, though they do come into the game a bit banged up. Starting quarterback Alex Smith will be inactive for the game, so backup Nick Foles will make his first start for the organization. Running back Spencer Ware may also miss the game, as he is still in concussion protocol.
At 5-2, the Chiefs are right in the thick of things in the AFC West, and Foles actually looked good under center this past week. He is one of the better backups in the league, and the offense should be fine with him calling the shots against the Jags. The real issue will be at running back, as Charcandrick West will likely be asked to pick up the slack this week.
Jacksonville was an early season pick to make it to the playoffs, as they made some big splashes in the offseason to upgrade their defense. However, they have struggled mightily through half the season, and despite playing in the worst division in football, will likely be on the outside looking in again. The organization has done a nice job of putting weapons around Bortles, but he just is not holding up his side of the bargain.
Odds
Line: KC (-7.5)
Over/Under: 44
Kansas City got some bad news this past week, as they placed star running back Jamaal Charles on injured reserve. Charles, who is one of the better players in team history, had a second surgery on the knee he blew out in Week 6 of last season. Some feel he may be able to return in eight weeks, but only time will tell if he will ever put on his Chiefs jersey again.
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Despite both Smith and Ware likely to be out, expect the Chiefs to roll on Sunday. The AFC West is one of the best divisions in football, and the Chiefs are going to have to keep winning if they want to challenge the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos. Kansas City may actually be the best all-around team in the division, so do not expect a hiccup against a bad Jags team this week.
Prediction: Chiefs 34 Jaguars 17