Despite an ugly first half to the game, the Kansas City Chiefs have a 13-point lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars at halftime. They’re winning this game in spite of some key errors, including two fumbles. They’re also down several key offensive players due to injury. The Jags will get the ball to start the second half.
Here are a few quick takeaways from the first half of play:
Still no solutions for a poor running game
The running game has not been good for Kansas City this season and it continued to struggle in Week 10 against Jacksonville. The second carry of the game resulted in a fumble from rookie RB Isiah Pacheco, the first fumble of his career. After the fumble, Pacheco was playing with a bit more juice and running behind his pads, but it shouldn’t take a mistake to spark a unit that has underperformed.
Pacheco is averaging six yards per carry, but not other running backs have a rushing attempt so far this game. I suspect that will change in the second half, should the lead hold for Kansas City.
Special teams is officially a problem
Outside of one very clutch play by Chris Lammons, special teams have been a disaster for Kansas City this week. Dave Toub’s unit started things off on the wrong foot, surrendering an onside kick to the Jaguars on the opening kickoff. From there it just snowballed.
There were ugly punt and kick coverage plays.
Harrison Butker is missing PATs.
There was a fumble on a punt return from Jody Fortson.
The team is lucky that there hasn’t been more damage as a result of the special teams errors.
The Chiefs are winning the Kadarius Toney trade
Toney has been the biggest bright spot for the offense for Kansas City on Sunday. In just his third quarter of play with the team, he has caught two passes on two targets for 29 yards and a touchdown. He also has one carry for 32 yards and has returned a punt for seven yards.
His touches so far today have been nothing short of electric. They’ve been necessary and key when it comes to getting and maintaining this lead. They’ll be needed in the second half too with the attrition that Kansas City is currently dealing with at the receiver position.
