Jacksonville QB Blake Bortles threw two touchdown passes, but turnovers spoiled any chance of the Jaguars winning their third game of the season in a 19-14 loss at Kansas City Sunday.
Bortles found wide receiver Allen Robinson at the back of the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown pass and 13-yard scoring pass to T.J. Yeldon late in the game. Bortles was 22 of 41 for 252 yards. But the big story was the turnovers. Kansas City forced four turnovers, setting up 13 of the Chiefs’ 19 points. Jacksonville has not forced a turnover in four games.
“It all came down to turnovers,” said Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley. “We had four turnovers and when you do that in any game in the NFL, it’s going to be hard to win. One of those was in a goal-line situation. I thought our defense did a good job holding them to field goals.”
The Chiefs defense allowed the Jaguars 449 yards, with 205 yards coming in the run game. Jaguars running back Chris Ivory had 107 yards on 18 carries. He was about to cross the goal line when the ball was knocked from his hands. Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters recovered the fumble.
“I thought I crossed the plane as the ball was coming out,” Ivory said. “We have to be more conscious of not turning the ball over. It’s hard to win when you do that.”
Jacksonville also fumbled on a Bryan Walters punt return and Bortles threw an interception to K.C. linebacker Ramik Wilson. Yeldon also fumbled.
Kansas City led 10-7 at halftime.
Chiefs backup QB Nick Foles threw a 23-yard TD to and wide receiver Albert Wilson. A 51-yard field goal from Cairo Santos was just one of four for him in the game.
“It was not always the prettiest thing, but we won,” said Foles, who made his first start for the Kansas City. “The game of football is different every week. Sometimes you light it up. Sometimes you are out there scrapping trying to make plays. It feels good to win in the NFL, no matter what.”
The Chiefs played without starting QB Alex Smith and No. 1 rusher Spencer Ware, who were sidelined by head trauma and a concussion. The Chiefs got only a few snaps from No. 1 wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and lost tight end Travis Kelce early in the final quarter.
“The margin between winning and losing in this league is minute,” said Chief Coach Andy Reid. “We could have lost that game. Instead, we won. It's nice to be 6-2. We appreciate every one of them (victories).”
The Chiefs were led by Charcandrick West with 62 yards on the ground. Foles threw for 187 yards.
“A lot of our wounds were self-inflicted,” said Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson. “We made a lot of mistakes today. Give the Jaguars credit, they took advantage of every opportunity we gave them.”
The Jaguars host AFC South rival Houston Sunday at 1 p.m.
Game Notes: It was the first game with QB coach Nathaniel Hackett directing the Jaguars’ offense… the Jaguars scored in the first half on the road for the first time this season; they’ve been outscored 68-7. ...…Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was ejected after picking up a pair of unsportsmanlike penalties after objecting to a non-call by the officials in the end zone.... Jacksonville wide receiver Allen Hurns left the game twice, first due to an ankle injury and then with a concussion…rookie linebacker Myles Jack suffered a half hip injury and did not return… it was the Chiefs’ fourth consecutive victory…the Jaguars have lost three consecutive games
