The Pick Party

Expectations were high that the Jags were about to knock the Chiefs from their mountain top to join the other NFL teams who have suffered a loss. Before this match up, the Jags had not allowed any points to be scored in the entire first half by opposing teams. They also boasted the best defense in the league.

Once again the Kansas City Chiefs broke records and defied expectations.

At the half with a 4 yard touchdown run by Mahomes, two field goals and yes, a Pick 6, the score was 20-0 in favor of the Chiefs. The Jags put up an extremely tough and aggressive defense, that much must be said, but the fact that the Chiefs hung 30 points on them, holding them to just 14, also cannot be denied, so let’s breakdown the expectations.

Perhaps Mahomes did not dawn Batman’s cape or a Jedi robe, perhaps he did not shot put a left handed pass with a defender wrapped around his ankles, but he did complete 22-38 passes for 313 yards, which by the way, is the most yards passed on the Jags in the last 15 games. Sadly, after 4 games with no interceptions, Mahomes would throw his first two picks to a vaunted Jacksonville defense. Mahomes continued to spread the wealth, giving his passes to 9 different players, led by Sammy Watkins with 6 receptions and Travis Kelce with 5 for 100 yards.

Jags Cornerback Jaylyn Ramsy also had expectations.

Leading up to the match up, he said he “Covered wide receivers, and Hill is a return specialist, let’s get that right off the bat.” While there were instances of Ramsy keeping Hill “The Cheetah” corralled, as cheetahs often do, Hill broke free and nabbed a 36 yard pass as he streaked up the sideline, burning Ramsy and showing off his skills as a receiver.

Jags QB Blake Bortles had – in my opinion – the most headlining expectations of them all.

He threw a pass on a screen play, directly into the awaiting arms of Chiefs’ defensive tackle Chris Jones, who ran around the Jags offensive and 20 yards down into the end zone for the defensive touchdown. This was the second of four picks and five giveaways from Bortles.

Throughout the course of the game, Bortles would throw up an interception to Chris Jones, Jordan Lucas and Stephen Nelson - this one in the end zone to close out the first half. On the final drive of the game, Bortles would throw one last desperate attempt to leave the stadium losing by 9 points instead of 16, but the touchdown pass was intercepted in the end zone by Orlando Scandrick. As if the pick party, thrown by the Chiefs D wasn’t enough, outside Linebacker Dee Forde would, as I heard Mitch Holthus describe, “floss his teeth” with Blake Bortles, sacking him and forcing the QB to cough up a fumble, which would be promptly scooped up by rookie linebacker Breeland Speakes.

On a rain soaked field at Arrowhead Stadium, the sun continued to shine bright on the Kansas City Chiefs. Their offense exploded as usual, pinning 30 points on the “best defense in the league” as the Chiefs defensive hosted their own turn over party, formally inviting Jags QB Blake Bortles.

Defying expectations, the Chiefs’ remain on their mountain top with a 5-0 record.

Next Sunday, the Chiefs play under the lights of primetime television for the second time this season, as they are hosted by the raining AFC champs the New England Patriots on Sunday night football. Until next time!