Off to a good start.
The Jaguars opened their 2024 preseason with about as convincing a win as they could have hoped for in an exhibition game, defeating their reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs 26-13 at EverBank Stadium.
Starting Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence went three-of-four passing for 42 yards and one touchdown. Backups, C.J. Beathard went 7-of-14 for 125 yards and one touchdown and Mac Jones went 9-of-11 for 98 yards.
15 different Jaguars wide receivers caught a pass, with rookie Brian Thomas Jr.’s 41-yard deep reception and Devin Duvernay’s 35-yard long touchdown being the highlights of Jacksonville’s passing game. Both passes came from Beathard.
Jacksonville’s defense, under the tutelage of new coordinator Ryan Nielsen, suffocated Kansas City’s offense to the tune of 4.5 yards per play and 2-of-13 on third downs.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offensive starters managed seven plays for 43 yards on their lone drive but were held to a field goal before backups rotated into the lineup.
Defensive linemen Esezi Otomewo, Breeland Speaks, Myles Cole and Tyler Lacy, and linebacker Yasir Abdullah, combined to record Jacksonville’s four sacks. Safety Terrell Edmunds forced two fumbles, as well.
But the most exciting moment of the night came on special teams, just as the NFL intended by overhauling kickoffs this offseason.
Wide receiver Parker Washington took Jacksonville’s first return attempt under the league’s new kickoff rules back 73 yards to set the Jaguars’ offense up in the red zone for its first possession, at the 20-yard line.
“I’m Parker Washington.” – Parker Washington@CPW11_ | #KCvsJAX on CBS pic.twitter.com/tzjVrqujvG
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 10, 2024
The run-back paved the way for Jacksonville’s first touchdown of the night, secured by the first-team offense four plays later. Lawrence found Travis Etienne Jr. on an angle route for a seven-yard score.
The Jaguars will remain in Jacksonville for Week 2 of the preseason, scheduled to host Tampa Bay at EverBank Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
