Week 17 Game Recap: Jacksonville Jaguars 30, Kansas City Chiefs 35

What you need to know

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville arrived in Kansas City with an 8-7 record and a slim hope of making the playoffs. In the complicated NFL payoff formulas, they needed to beat Kansas City, have New England beat or tie Tennessee, have Pittsburg beat or tie Cincinnati, and have Oakland defeat the Jets. Even before the final seconds had run off in their loss to the Chiefs, the Jaguars had known they were not going to make it. The announcers at Arrowhead Stadium let everyone know while the game was in progress that the Jets had beaten the Raiders.

With his rushing yards, receiving yards and kick off return yards, Maurice Jones-Drew still accounted for 204 total yards and one touchdown. It looks pretty certain that Jones-Drew will take over the role of the number one back in Jacksonville next year. Fred Taylor was definitely relegated to the number two back, but he did collect one touchdown reception.

David Garrard came in as the starter in place of the injured Bryon Leftwich who is out for the year after ankle surgery. He experienced problems reading the Chiefs’ defense and moving the Jaguars in the first half. He was intercepted on the first Jaguars’ series of the second half by Kansas City cornerback Ty Law, which led to a Chiefs’ touchdown. On the next series, he was replaced by third year quarterback Quinn Gray, who had been relegated to the bench for his career. Quinn responded with an outstanding game, passing for 166 yards, rushing for two touchdowns, and almost bringing the Jaguars back from a deep hole. His stock in the league definitely rose. Combined, the two Jacksonville quarterbacks passed for over 300 yards with Matt Jones getting 104 yards receiving and Reggie Williams collecting 90 yards.

The Jaguars’ offense came on strong after a slow start while the defense never was able to stop Kansas City. Possibly the most telling blow to the Jaguars’ chances came early in the first quarter when the Chiefs’ Bernard Pollard blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone. That gave the Chiefs a lead that they never gave up.

Kansas City Chiefs

First, Kansas City wanted this game to leave the regular season with the pride of a winning season. Second, they hoped against hope they could beat the odds against them and make the playoffs. They needed to beat Jacksonville and finish up at 9-7. They did that. They needed New England to beat or tie the Titans. The Patriots obliged with a win over Tennessee. They needed Pittsburgh to beat or tie Cincinnati. Right on cue, the Bengals lost to the Steelers (in overtime, no less). Finally to complete their improbable climb into the playoffs, they required San Francisco to visit Denver and leave with a win. Another game in overtime concluded with the 49ers defeating the Broncos.

In unbelievable fashion, the Chiefs made the playoffs and they made it on a winning streak. A discussion of the Chiefs’ win must, of course, start with power running back Larry Johnson. The Jaguars came in with a very strong rushing defense, but they were unable to contain Johnson. He rushed for 138 yards on 33 carries while running for three touchdowns. He also caught five passes. He eclipsed his previous Kansas City season record for total yards set last year with 1789 rushing yards for 2007. He also passed Atlanta’s Jamal Anderson’s NFL record 410 rushing attempts in a season, setting a new record for most attempts rushing in a single season for one back at 416.

Trent Green’s final stats were average but he often looked tentative. He compiled 181 yards through the air and threw for one touchdown, but he also threw two interceptions. On the Chiefs’ third possession of the second half, Green ran and was late starting another slide. He was hit hard and had to be helped from the field. It was later reported as a left ankle sprain and after one series sitting out, he returned with the ankle wrapped. While he was out, Damon Huard came in and performed exceptionally. Huard passed for 54 yards while completing two out of three passes. Johnson completed that drive with a touchdown run.

Tony Gonzalez was held in check for this game, but Eddie Kennison had a tremendous outing. He caught six passes for 144 yards and one touchdown. The Chiefs received a lot of help from other teams around the league to make the playoffs, but in the final analysis, they did not back in, they won the game they had to win. That is why they play again next week, albeit in Indianapolis.

What you ought to know

QB Quinn Gray, Pass: 13 - 22 - 166 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - 26 - 2

Quinn Gray has spent his three seasons in the league as the third string quarterback behind Leftwich and Garrard. After Garrard’s throw for an interception, with the Jaguars trailing 28-10, he was called on to lead the Jaguars and did not relinquish his position for the rest of the game. Gray looked sharp, spreading the ball around, and scrambling. He passed for 166 yards and ran for 26 yards. He only ran twice but each time it resulted in an impressive touchdown. He appeared to have the confidence and the momentum as the game was winding down. Possibly he needed one more chance.

QB David Garrard, Pass: 10 - 18 - 140 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - 15 - 0

Garrard has been hot and cold in his time filling in for injured Byron Leftwich. In this game, he was a little bit too much off to keep Coach Jack Del Rio happy. He completed ten of 18 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown and picked up 15 yards on one run, but he was not able to maintain an offensive threat. After throwing an interception on the first Jaguars’ series of the second half, which led to a Chiefs’ score, he was pulled and never returned to the contest.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Rush: 12 - 46 - 1, Rec: 4 - 16 - 0 (6 targets)

Rookie Jones-Drew has become the all around yardage threat for Jacksonville. He returns kickoffs, is a favorite receiving target and now appears to be the top rusher for the Jaguars. His rushing yards were limited to 46, with one TD, and his receiving yards were held to 16 on four receptions, but he accounted for 142 yards returning kick offs, which netted him 204 all purpose yards for the game. He should be a strong force next year.

RB Fred Taylor, Rush: 7 - 26 - 0, Rec: 1 - 26 - 1 (1 targets)

Taylor was mostly held in check. He accumulated 26 yards on the ground on seven carries, but he caught the only ball targeted for him for 26 yards and a touchdown. Taylor as a backup is a luxury the Jaguars should cherish and continue to enjoy.

RB Derrick Wimbush, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (1 targets)

Wimbush saw limited duty while catching one pass for four yards.

WR Reggie Williams, Rec: 6 - 90 - 0 (9 targets)

Williams was a favorite target during this contest. He was the most reliable Jaguars’ receiver catching passes, pulling in six for 90 yards.

WR Matt Jones, Rec: 5 - 104 - 0 (9 targets)

Converted college quarterback Matt Jones used his height to great advantage catching five of the nine passes targeted for him, He accumulated 104 yards receiving. Most of his catches were while Garrard was leading the Jaguars.

WR Ernest Wilford, Rec: 2 - 28 - 0 (7 targets)

Wilford was targeted often but was not able to get very open. He caught only two of the seven passes intended for him.

WR Cortez Hankton (1 targets)

Hankton was only targeted once during the contest and he finished with no receptions and no yardage.

TE George Wrighster, Rec: 2 - 25 - 0 (4 targets)

Wrighster caught half of the passes thrown to him. The tight end position seems well utilized in the Jaguars’ attack, but the trio of tight ends did not see a lot of balls thrown their way in this contest.

TE Marcedes Lewis, Rec: 2 - 13 - 0 (2 targets)

Rookie Lewis looks promising for the future. He caught both passes thrown his way as he proved to be a viable option for the passing game.

TE Kyle Brady (1 targets)

Brady did not account for any positive yardage in this contest. He was only targeted one time and that was unsuccessful.

PK Josh Scobee 1 - 1 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 6 points

Scobee came through when he was called upon. He connected on his only field goal attempt and on all three extra point attempts.

JAX Rush Defense

The Jacksonville rushing defense had a great year limiting most backs who came up against them. This was not their finest moment. Larry Johnson controlled this contest accumulating 138 of the 170 yards totaled against the Jaguars. They also gave up three scores on the ground.

JAX Pass Defense

The Jaguars’ pass defense fared better than the rushing defense. They were beaten for 235 yards and a score through the air, but they recorded three sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles against the Chiefs.

QB Trent Green, Pass: 14 - 21 - 181 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 4 - 12 - 0

Green was able to provide just enough help to the Larry Johnson show. Green threw for 181 yards with a strong 67% completion percentage and one touchdown toss but was intercepted twice and fumbled once. He ran into trouble similar to early in the year when he started a slide late and was hit hard. It was a clean hit but it caught his left ankle up crooked under his body while he was also getting his bell rung. He came out of the game groggy and missed one offensive series. When he was sent back in, his ankle was wrapped. Green has not appeared to be fully back after his injury earlier in the year, but he has been given a vote of confidence by head coach Herman Edwards as the quarterback for the rest of this year and for next year.

QB Damon Huard, Pass: 2 - 3 - 54 - 0 TD / 0 INT

Huard was called upon again as an injury replacement for Trent Green. Again he came through sensationally. On his one series, he connected for 54 yards while hitting on two of three passes. He led the offense up close to let Johnson run it in for a lead-expanding touchdown. Huard will likely get looks from other teams around the league during the off season for his performances this year in relief of Trent Green.

RB Larry Johnson, Pass: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 33 - 138 - 3, Rec: 5 - 22 - 0 (6 targets)

Johnson did nothing to diminish his reputation as the man on the Kansas City offense. Johnson had impressive numbers for this game as he was hitting the record books. He had 33 carries for 138 yards on the ground while pulling in 22 yards on five pass receptions, all while rushing across the goal line three times. He did not connect on it, but he even got the opportunity to throw one pass. Johnson finished the regular season with 416 rushing attempts, a new single season league record, bettering the 410 attempts set by Atlanta’s Jamal Anderson in 1998. Johnson also set a new single season Chiefs’ rushing yardage record of 1789 yards beating his previous record from 2005 by 39 yards.

Johnson also contributed on Green’s only pass for a touchdown. Johnson took the handoff from Green, ran to the line, turned and lateraled to Green, and then Green completed the 35 yard flea flicker to Kennison.

RB Michael Bennett, Rush: 2 - 11 - 0

Bennett saw limited duty in spot relief of Larry Johnson. He ran two times for eleven yards. He fumbled on his second carry but managed to recover the ball. However that pretty much marked the end of his role with the offense.

WR Eddie Kennison, Rec: 6 - 144 - 1 (10 targets)

Kennison was decidedly the hottest Chiefs’ receiver. He tore apart the Jaguars’ defense for 144 yards on six receptions. His touchdown reception was on a 35 yard deep route into the end zone set up by a flea flicker.

WR Samie Parker, Rec: 2 - 29 - 0 (5 targets)

Parker saw good inclusion in the game plan as he was targeted five times. He collected two of the passes for 29 yards.

WR Dante Hall, Rush: 1 - 9 - 0 (1 targets)

Hall did well on kick off returns with four returns for 86 yards. He suffered some hard hits that seemed to shake him up. He was only targeted one time and that went incomplete.

TE Tony Gonzalez, Rec: 2 - 21 - 0 (2 targets)

Gonzalez pulled in both of the passes thrown his way, but had a much bigger role participating in run blocking on some of Larry Johnson’s carries. Gonzalez will be a candidate for free agency after this year and retaining the services of the future hall of famer should be a top priority for the Chiefs during the off season.

TE Kris Wilson, Rec: 1 - 19 - 0 (1 targets)

Wilson caught the only pass sent his way and rambled for a 19 yard gain. He had a greater role during this contest as an occasional lead blocker for Larry Johnson.

PK Lawrence Tynes 0 - 0 FG, 5 - 5 XP, 5 points

Tynes never got the chance to attempt any field goals. The Chiefs were able to convert too often for touchdowns. He did however get to successfully convert all five of the extra point attempts during the contest.

KC Rush Defense

The Kansas City rush defense saw one part of their game succeed with exceptional results, limiting Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew to a combined 72 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Their success was clouded when they let the two quarterbacks break three runs for 41 yards and two touchdowns.

KC Pass Defense

The Chiefs’ pass defense bent a lot. They gave up 306 yards and one passing touchdown. They did manage to chase the Jaguars’ quarterbacks out of the pocket often while recording three sacks.