Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Three Key Matchups

The Kansas City Chiefs hope to leave the bitter taste of a 1-6 record in the rear view mirror as they come off their bye to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

The game provides a winnable matchup for Kansas City as the Jaguars have struggled to a record of 3-4.  The Jacksonville defense is not the force it has been throughout the franchise history.

Quarterback David Garrard needs to replicate his impressive numbers from 2007 where in 12 starts he only threw three interceptions.

Key Matchups:

Jamaal Charles vs. The Pressure of a Starting Role:

Kansas City’s third round pick in 2008 was a hurdler turned football running back: Jamaal Charles of the Texas Longhorns. 

An extraordinary talent who has been criticized as not having the physical build to handle the duties of a featured back, Charles will have a chance to show off with a larger role given to him as a result of the twitter fiasco surrounding Larry Johnson. 

He has a 5.3 career yards per carry average (this was the average ypc of his worst college season) and has maintained a 5.0 ypc average this season. 

Expect the Chiefs to adapt their running game to get Charles into space with more sweeps and stretch plays, as well as running back screens and motioning Charles out wide. 

There are lingering questions about Charles’ ability to run between the tackles, but he does bring less predictability to the lineup than the North-South-Smash-Football style of LJ.

Chris Chambers vs. Derek Cox:

Head coach and offensive coordinator Todd Haley starting making comments Wednesday that insinuated newly acquired wide receiver Chris Chambers would play against the Jags. 

To put some perspective on this, the same week wide receiver Bobby Wade was acquired he went on to post six catches for 72 yards against the Oakland Raiders. 

Kansas City’s No. 1 receiver, Dwayne Bowe, is sure to be covered by the Pro Bowl caliber Rashean Mathis, leaving whoever starts opposite Bowe matched up with rookie Derek Cox. 

The Jaguars rank 26th in the league in pass defense, allowing over 240 yards per game and have tallied only five sacks on the year.  The Chiefs need to take advantage. 

Chambers fits the physical mold of a true No. 2 receiver more than Wade, and if ready, Chambers allows Wade to play his more natural position of slot receiver (the role he played in the big game against Oakland).

Kansas City Defense vs. Maurice Jones-Drew:

It’s no secret that Jacksonville’s offense has been largely a one-man band.  MJD has met every expectation of him as he stepped into a starting role with Jacksonville’s release of Fred Taylor.  He boasts a 5.5 yards per carry average while running his way to 640 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

The 5’7” beast with the strong thighs of a powerful, yet nimble back will be given the rock repeatedly. 

Can the 3-4 defense of the Chiefs hold up? 

Thin at nearly every position, the Chiefs are particularly suspect at nose tackle where only Ron Edwards and Kenny Smith are in rotation. 

Smith saw his first football action since 2003 as he has struggled with injuries from then to present.  However, the ability of the nose tackle to clog the middle, freeing up the line backers to make tackles and shoot gaps in key in the 3-4 and will be vital to keeping MJD in check.