ESPN writers unified in prediction for Chiefs vs Jaguars

The Kansas City Chiefs will play their first playoff game of the month this weekend after enjoying a well-deserved bye week in the first round. Kansas City is set to host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday afternoon. Jacksonville advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs after coming back from a 27-0 deficit against the […]

Zach Ragan Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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The Kansas City Chiefs will play their first playoff game of the month this weekend after enjoying a well-deserved bye week in the first round.

Kansas City is set to host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday afternoon.

Jacksonville advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs after coming back from a 27-0 deficit against the Los Angeles Chargers last weekend.

It was an epic collapse by the Chargers. The Jaguars, however, will have a much tougher opponent in the Chiefs this weekend.

Oct 10, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) talks with reporter Lisa Salters after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) talks with reporter Lisa Salters after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

A couple of ESPN writers predicted the winner of the matchup between the Chiefs and the Jags.

Seth Walder and Eric Moody both have Kansas City winning on Saturday.

Walder has the Chiefs winning 34-27 while Moody has KC winning 37-27.

It's not a surprise that the Chiefs are the unanimous choice here. Outside of Jacksonville, most folks will likely be taking Kansas City this weekend (unless they want to get cute with their picks).

Of course, that doesn't mean this will be an easy win for the Chiefs. The Jaguars are hitting their stride at the right time. And their ability to pressure the quarterback could cause problems for Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City's offense.

From ESPN:

Generating pressure was one of the keys to Jacksonville's late-season surge. The Jaguars had a 38.6% pressure rate during their five-game win streak to end the regular season, which was second best in the NFL over that span, and they sacked Justin Herbert three times in the wild-card round. But the Chiefs led the NFL in pass block win rate (74.7%), and Mahomes is No. 1 in the league in QBR (84.7) and completion percentage (77.2%) when he doesn't face pressure.

The pressure could certainly be problematic for the Chiefs, but I think Mahomes will be able to handle it.

I mean, it's the playoffs and I can't imagine betting against Mahomes this weekend. Who else could you want at quarterback with the season on the line?

Featured image via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports