Chiefs Speak Out: Key Takeaways from Loss to Jaguars and What’s Holding Them Back in Their 2-3 Start

Jacksonville, Fla. — Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner stood in the locker room, disappointment painted across his face after a tough 31-28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. A key moment lingered in his mind: a pivotal play on third-and-13, with just 38 seconds on the clock.

The Jaguars were chasing points in the red zone, and the Chiefs were desperate for a stop. Conner was matched up against Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. He sensed the corner route developing and aimed to make a game-changing play. When the ball flew his way, he deflected it, seemingly sealing a victory with an interception caught by safety Bryan Cook.

But his celebration was short-lived. A penalty flag for defensive pass interference had been thrown, turning joy into frustration. “I didn’t see the flag till late,” he admitted. “That was a tough play.”

That moment marked a shift in the game, as Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence later scored a winning touchdown. Conner reflected, “We just didn’t make the plays when we needed to.”

Surprisingly, the Chiefs now find themselves at 2-3 — a stark contrast to their dominance last season, when they rarely lost close games. In 2024, they had an impressive record of 12-0 in one-score games. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes emphasized the importance of making winning plays, stating, “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how you play if you’re not finding ways to win.”

Discipline was also a concern. The Chiefs racked up 13 penalties for 109 yards, the highest since 2019. Linebacker Drue Tranquill remarked, “It felt like there were flags all over the field.”

A significant turning point in the game came when Mahomes threw a pick-six while leading a drive into the red zone. This interception shifted the Jaguars’ chances of winning from 28% to 70%, highlighting the high stakes of the moment.

Despite outgaining the Jaguars by 157 yards, Kansas City lost. In the past, Andy Reid’s teams had an impressive record of 23-1 when outpacing opponents by such margins. Now, it’s 23-2.

The Chiefs locker room was unusually quiet after the game, with no upbeat music playing. Mahomes noted, “We’ve kind of done that to ourselves all year long.”

Looking ahead, they face the Detroit Lions, currently boasting the NFL’s top offense. Mahomes recognizes the urgency: “We’ve lost too many games already. We’ve got to find a way to come together.”

Interestingly, even in the loss, there were bright spots. The offense averaged 7.6 yards per play — among the best this season — and Mahomes threw for 318 yards. Rookie Brashard Smith showed promise, and suspended Rashee Rice is set to return soon.

Conner believes in the team’s potential. “We need to get back to finishing the way we used to,” he said. As the Chiefs work to rectify their mistakes, the focus will be on discipline and execution in the coming weeks. This will be crucial as they aim to regain their winning ways amidst increasing competition in the league.

For more on the Chiefs’ performance and upcoming games, check out ESPN’s NFL coverage.

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