Kansas City Chiefs vs Jacksonville Jaguars: Chiefs Earn Win on Perfect Day

These are the types of weekends I live for, and the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars was just the icing on the cake. 

First off, I'm home from Africa for a few weeks to spend some time with my family. It's the middle of fall and the trees are just now shifting into full color.

The Missouri Tigers broke a 12-year slump against the Oklahoma Sooners in grand fashion on Saturday night.

Most importantly, for those of you reading who aren't among my friends and family, my wife and I brought our newborn son home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. It's a boy; his name is Caleb and he is wonderfully healthy and adorable to boot.

So what better way to cap off the weekend than a solid Kansas City Chiefs victory on a cool, breezy October afternoon?

If you can think of anything, let me know.

Kansas City has suffered a pair of heartbreaking losses over the last two weeks, dropping close matches late in the game against solid playoff hopefuls. But despite losing two in a row, the Chiefs have held on to a solid lead in the AFC West following lackluster performances from the rival Raiders, Broncos and Chargers.

That didn't make this homecoming match against Jacksonville any less important as Kansas City looked to build on the momentum of their 3-0 start, their best since a 9-0 start in 2003.

Unlike their fourth quarter meltdown against Houston, the Chiefs never took their foot off the pedal as they racked up a season-leading 42 points to shut down the Jaguars, 42-20.

What's more, Kansas City continued doing what they've done best all season. The Chiefs decimated Jacksonville on the ground, putting up 236 yards rushing with three touchdowns. Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles continued to share the ball with close to a 60/40 split on carries. However, the Chiefs started the game out with Dexter McCluster, who opened with two carries for 26 yards.

Reserve running back Jackie Battle put the finishing touches on the game with 12 yards and a touchdown after a late interception by rookie safety Eric Berry.

The Chiefs also attacked the Jags rushing game on defense, limiting Jacksonville to 84 yards on the ground, and 20 of those yards were on the Jaguars' final series with the game well out of reach. All-Pro running back Maurice Jones-Drew could only manage 47 yards on 16 carries.

Jacksonville had some success moving the ball through the air with newly-signed Todd Bouman behind center. Five years from his last NFL start, Bouman put together a respectable 222 yards passing with two touchdowns.

Kansas City was able to take advantage of Bouman's rust, though, as Derrick Johnson and Eric Berry both snagged interceptions in the game. Johnson's came on the Jacksonville 16, which he easily ran in for a touchdown.

One of the most positive signs from today's game was the Chiefs continued success in the passing game. Quarterback Matt Cassel only completed three passes in the first half, but all three went for first downs. He came on strong in the second half, though, finishing the day 13-of-18 for 193 yards and two scores.

And who caught both touchdowns?  It was none other than the much-maligned Dwayne Bowe, who utilized his superior agility to run after the catch for a 53-yard touchdown 25 seconds into the second half. Then in the fourth quarter, Bowe stretched out in the corner of the end zone, tip-toeing just in bounds on a spectacular catch to put the Chiefs up by 15 and locked into the win column.

Bowe finished the day with three catches for 81 yards to go with his two touchdowns.  Not bad for a player who's faced doubts about his receiving ability in recent years.

Kansas City looks to be coming together more and more with each passing week. And while there's still a number of games left in the season, the Chiefs are looking less like the dregs of the league and more like the legitimate leader of the AFC West.

A cool afternoon, a Tigers upset victory, a new baby at home and an outstanding Chiefs victory?

Life just doesn't get any better.