Preview for Kansas City Chiefs @ Jacksonville Jaguars
The Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) will have to be aware of the revitalised Jacksonville Jaguars’ (3-1) running game when the teams clash on Monday Night Football.
Led by Travis Etienne Jr, the Jags’ have the fourth best record in the NFL on the ground, averaging 144 rushing yards per game, 42 more than last year.
New offensive co-ordiantor Liam Coen has masterminded the uptick after working similar miracles in Tampa Bay in 2024.
“It’s more just within the scheme having plays off of plays and so that maybe it’s less thinking for those guys up front and it’s more of the same, but maybe different presentations while also saying, OK, we want to be able to run inside or midzone with a little bit more,” Coen said.
“So, it’s just different ways of keeping your run game diverse so that [defenses] don’t get a beat on just you’re trying to run it inside every time or outside every time. A mix of zone and gap helps those guys so that when they’re hitting blocks, the defense isn’t sure if it’s going to be zone or gap, to them, or away from them.”
Etienne Jr has 394 yards so far – the third most in the NFL – and leads the league with 6.1 yards per carry.
“Right now, he’s got a really good feel for what we’re trying to do in the run game,” Coen said. “Whether it’s in the zone or in the gap stuff, I just think Travis has a really good feel for what we’re trying to do. He’s pressing the line of scrimmage really well and able to go find creases.
“Very pleased with Travis right now and the way that those guys are running.”
The Chiefs will hope for another productive night from wide receiver Xavier Worthy.
Worthy returned from a dislocated shoulder to register 83 receiving yards and 38 rushing yards – both career highs – as the Chiefs beat the Baltimore Ravens 37-20 last weekend.
“He’s just so explosive,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “When you get the ball in his hands, man, it just makes defenses have to adjust. And when they adjust, because he gets so much attention on him, other guys can make plays happen.
“Just having him out there, not only for his physical abilities but just the morale of the [locker room], I thought it was huge.”
