KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Their starting quarterback and running back never dressed, their top wide receiver joined them on the sideline with an injury of his own, and their Pro Bowl tight end was ejected by an official who didn’t seem to think his antics were very funny.
Good thing for the Kansas City Chiefs that everything was status quo on defense.
That stout bunch kept Blake Bortles in check most of the afternoon, then stuffed the Jacksonville Jaguars on fourth down with less than 2 minutes remaining deep in their own territory, preserving a 19-14 win on Sunday made even more impressive by the long odds the Chiefs overcame.
“That’s what football is all about. You’re going to have weeks where you have injuries,” said Nick Foles, who started in place of injured quarterback Alex Smith. “You have to step up and make plays.”
Foles threw for 187 yards and a first-half touchdown toss to Albert Wilson, and helped to set up four field goals by Cairo Santos, as Kansas City (6-2) won its 10th consecutive home game.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars (2-6) couldn’t overcome four turnovers — including a fumble at the goal line in the fourth quarter — in their first game with quarterback coach Nathaniel Hackett directing the offense .
Bortles was 22 of 41 for 252 yards and two touchdowns with a pick, showing little improvement after a week spent with his personal coach, Adam Dedeaux . His wide receivers hardly helped him, dropping several passes, including an early fourth-down throw that cost Jacksonville a chance at points.
“I thought Nathaniel called a great game,” Bortles said. “To run for 200 yards and throw for 200, or whatever, I thought it was awesome. If you look at the stat sheet minus the turnovers there’s no way you say Kansas City won. But unfortunately, that’s part of the game.”
Chris Ivory rumbled for 107 yards in the biggest bright spot for Jacksonville, but he fumbled going over the goal-line with 8:28 left in the game. The Jaguars quickly got the ball back, and Bortles hit T.J. Yeldon to get within 19-14 with 4:10 to go, but the extra time it took to score proved costly.
They got the ball back with 3:01 remaining, and a long scamper by Bortles gave them a chance. But his pass on fourth-and-3 at the Kansas City 32 was batted to the ground and the Chiefs ran out the clock.
“We had four turnovers and when you do that, any game in the NFL is hard to win,” Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said. “And for us, we did it at critical times.”
The Chiefs played the whole way without Smith and starting running back Spencer Ware, who were out with head injuries, and offensive guard Parker Ehinger, who went on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin hurt his groin on the Chiefs’ first series and did not return, and tight end Travis Kelce was tossed from the game in the fourth quarter after arguing over a pass interference no-call, then tossing his towel at the official as if it was a flag.
“As soon as the ref took off his hat (to throw), I knew I was out. Felt like an idiot,” he said. “It was a terrible decision, but just have to learn from it and keep going.”
What did Kelce learn from it?
“I can’t throw my flag at the ref,” he replied. “He can throw his all day long.”
INJURIES
Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns left early in the second half with an ankle injury. He returned to the game, only to sustain a concussion while trying to make a catch later in the half. … Jacksonville linebacker Myles Jack left with a hip injury.
STATS AND STREAKS
The Chiefs have won three straight against Jacksonville. … The Jaguars still do not have a touchdown on their opening possession since Week 2 last season, an NFL-long stretch of 22 games. … Jacksonville has not forced a turnover in four games. … The Jaguars scored in the first half on the road for the first time this season. They’ve still been outscored 68-7. … Outside linebacker Dee Ford had both of Kansas City’s sacks, giving him 5 1/2 the past two weeks.
LONG TRIP NOWHERE
Chiefs running back Knile Davis played after re-signing with Kansas City on Saturday. Davis was traded to Green Bay three weeks ago, cut after two games and signed with the New York Jets. He was cut again hours later, allowing him to return to Kansas City. “It felt like I was home,” he said.
UP NEXT: The Jaguars return home to face the Texans on Sunday, while the Chiefs expect to have Alex Smith back when they visit Carolina.
— Associated Press —
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Standout guard Marcus Garrett has signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to play men’s basketball at the University of Kansas, KU head coach Bill Self announced Thursday.
