Jaguars are in shape and start the preseason with a victory over the Chiefs

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – It was a start and a good one.

The Jaguars saw what they needed from their starters and got significant contributions from their backups and began their preseason with a complete performance against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Saturday night at EverBank Stadium.

The result was a footnote, a 26-13 Jaguars victory, but Doug Pederson saw plenty of reasons to feel positive.

Trevor Lawrence threw a short touchdown pass to Travis Etienne and the starting defense allowed just one field goal to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on a solid night of work.

“It’s a new season, new faces. Some familiar faces. For us, internally, it’s a different feel, a different team, a completely different year,” Pederson said. “It’s not about anything from last year. It’s just about getting better and moving forward.”

The starting offense scored points when it got into the red zone, something it struggled with last season. Special teams were strong, with rookie kicker Cam Little making three field goals and hitting a 62-yard field goal just left. Players who had up-and-down rookie seasons looked much more confident in Year 2. And Ryan Nielsen’s defense got off to a promising start.

That’s a lot to please Pederson and company as they prepare for an unusual week with a pair of joint practices with the Buccaneers and a preseason clash next Saturday night.

What did Trevor look like?

Offensive coordinator Press Taylor, the piñata after Jacksonville’s woeful offensive efforts in 2023, called plays against the Chiefs and called a solid play to get the Jaguars on the board. Given excellent field position after a 73-yard kickoff return by Parker Washington, the Jaguars had a quick chance to confront their red zone demons from last year. Lawrence connected with Luke Farrell on a 13-yard pass near the sideline to get Jacksonville inside the 10, then connected with Etienne on a short pass two plays later on a 9-yard touchdown run.

It wasn’t a long scoring drive, just 20 yards, but it was a big one for the Jaguars. Jacksonville tied for 21st in the league last season (with Carolina) in red zone success at just 50%. It ranked 19th in passing goal efficiency (69%).

“You want to win every game you play. It feels good to win. We played very clean all around. Our depth showed on both sides of the floor. The special teams did a great job, too, they made some plays. I think that’s the best thing,” Lawrence said. “We did a great job against a good team that does a lot of different things, whether it’s defensively or offensively, which presents some challenges. I think it’s always good to play against teams like them or teams in the league in general.”

Lawrence’s best pass of the night was a 20-yard pass to Gabe Davis on the next drive. That drive ended when Lawrence was sacked on a fourth-and-five play. He completed 3 of 4 passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. It wasn’t a long night, but it was a positive one for Lawrence, even with the failed fourth-down play.

BTJ’s big catch

There have been questions about rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. throughout training camp. He’s been a tough case to read. On some plays, Thomas has looked listless and in slow motion. On others, he’ll lock in and make an amazing play. There have been far more bewildering moments in camp than surprise moments. Maybe BTJ is just a player.

His first NFL pass was way off target by C.J. Beathard. Thomas’ next pass was a highlight of a catch, a 41-yard diving catch with Joshua Williams all over him. Thomas made the highlight of a catch, standing up and doing a sniper-style celebration to signify the first down.

“It was great to be able to come here. It’s something I dreamed of playing in the NFL, to be able to win that first game was great,” Thomas said. “There was a lot of excitement before the game, but I had to control my emotions and stay focused. I feel like I did well. It was a great experience.”

Nielsen’s defense

It’s a big change from what former defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell did. Defenders Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen can put their hands in the dirt and get after the quarterback, not drop back into coverage like they were asked to do as outside linebackers under Caldwell. Walker nearly sacked Carson Wentz on the game’s second drive, pushing him out of the pocket and setting up the sack of Yasir Abdullah. Roy Robertson-Harris wrapped up Clyde Edwards-Helaire for a 2-yard loss. Chad Muma had a pair of big tackles late in the first quarter. The defense felt faster and more physical early.

Star Mahomes played just one series and moved the ball very well. He completed 3 of 4 passes for 27 yards and set up Harrison Butker’s 43-yard field goal. Mahomes played just one series and Kansas City had four quarterbacks in the game. The Jaguars finished with four sacks, including a team-high 1.5 by Esezi Otomewo.

“This goes back to our message in April. I talked about development. I think that’s what you’re seeing in practice. That’s what I’m seeing anyway. Then tonight, with so many guys playing in this game, there really wasn’t a drop-off,” Pederson said. “Sometimes when you get out of that first, second unit, sometimes there’s a letdown or a drop-off in play. I didn’t see that tonight. Our guys played fast, they played hard. Were there mistakes? Sure, there were mistakes, and MAs (missed assignments), things like that that we can correct this week. I think from top to bottom, the guys played, credit to them, fast and they played physical.”

Parker Washington’s role

Washington had an up-and-down rookie season but showed potential, mostly in a prime-time game against the Bengals. But he got plenty of support this week at training camp from Lawrence and shined in limited action against Kansas City. On the first down in the NFL’s new kickoff scenario, Washington wove his way through a 73-yard return on Jacksonville’s first touch. That set up Lawrence with a short pass that he converted into Jacksonville’s first touchdown. Washington also had a 10-yard reception.

The backup QBs

Mac Jones’ homecoming was a great story. The former Bolles star played the second half and was sacked for an 11-yard loss on his first series, a play where he should have thrown the ball away. But that was his only down play. Jones led a pair of scoring drives after that, both on Little field goals. Jones finished 9 of 11 passing for 98 yards. Beathard replaced Lawrence and had a highlight-reel pass to Devin Duvernay just before halftime, a 35-yard diving touchdown pass. Beathard completed 7 of 14 passes for 125 yards.

“All three of them played well. They played smart. I don’t think there were any turnovers with those guys. Trevor played smart. Obviously, the pass to Etienne,” Pederson said. “Then CJ comes in and makes some really good throws down the field, even in the face of adversity. Getting hit for roughing the passer. For Mac to come in and do what he’s capable of doing … It’s a great room. It’s a great room.”

Taylor Swift has not been seen

Taylor Swift, the girlfriend of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, has not been seen at EverBank Stadium. Swift had to cancel her concerts in Vienna due to an alleged terrorist plot, so she had the night off. But, perhaps to the dismay of fans here, she did not appear in Jacksonville.