The Kansas City Chiefs opened the season with a close one-point loss to the Detroit Lions in the first game of the year. The Jacksonville Jaguars, however, go into the game with a 1-0 record after defeating the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
The Chiefs haven’t lost back-to-back games since Weeks 2 and 3 of 2021, but the Jaguars have the opportunity to end their streak.
Buy Jaguars TicketsHere are five Chiefs players who could give the Jaguars trouble in their Week 2 matchup:
OT Jawaan Taylor
Offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor will return to Jacksonville after his first game in red and yellow. Taylor was selected by the Jaguars in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but signed a four-year, $80 million contract this offseason with Kansas City.
Taylor was a solid player with the Jags and looked like the same player in his first game with the Chiefs. He had a lot of good plays and a handful of bad plays against the Lions Week 1.
Now, he will face off against his former team and see action against edge rusher Josh Allen. Taylor and Allen know each other’s games, so the matchup could go either way.
TE Travis Kelce
Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce is probably the best tight end in the NFL. He missed Week 1, but will likely return this week.
He may be fresh off an injury, but Kelce is one of the best pass catchers in the league, and Jacksonville will have to treat him as such. Kelce is a mismatch against every team in the league, and the Jaguars will need a strong team effort to slow him.
Last year, Kelce had 179 receiving yards and three touchdowns across two games against the Jaguars.
Safety Andre Cisco and linebackers Foye Oluokun and Devin Lloyd will be a key factor in stifling the All-Pro tight end.
DT Chris Jones
Defensive lineman Chris Jones is one of the best defensive big men in the league, so his return will prove difficult for the Jaguars. He settled his contract dispute with Kansas City and is likely to suit up in Jacksonville.
Jones is a matchup nightmare for any offensive lineman, and the Jaguars are no exception. They’re likely to be without Brandon Scherff, so Tyler Shatley, Luke Fortner and Ben Bartch will need to show up in a big way.
CB L’Jarius Snead
Cornerback L’Jarius Snead is maybe Kansas City’s most proven defensive back, and he will be looked to in order to slow Jacksonville’s passing attack.
The Jaguars have a bevy of receiving talent — Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, Evan Engram and Zay Jones — and Snead is probably the best option the Chiefs have at cornerback. Snead can play all around the secondary and has the athletic ability to keep up with the Jags’ players.
A successful day for Snead would probably result in struggles for Ridley or Kirk, which would hurt the Jaguars’ chance of upsetting the Chiefs.
LB Nick Bolton
Linebacker Nick Bolton is one of Kansas City’s most promising players. The 5-foot 11-inch, 237-pound linebacker had seven total tackles last week and has developed into a solid player across his two previous years in the league.
In 2022, he had 180 total tackles and 108 solo tackles. This could present issues for Jacksonville.
Running back Travis Etienne Jr. could have trouble running the rock if Bolton is anywhere in his vicinity. And quarterback Trevor Lawrence will need to make sure he doesn’t leave any receivers out to dry in the middle of the field. If he does, Bolton is sure to make them pay.
