Season-opening unraveling: Jaguars no match for Chiefs' high-powered offense in 40-26 loss

The Jaguars’ strength this season was expected to come from their defense.

Two weeks ago, defensive coordinator Todd Wash bragged about putting their best players on the field even if it meant switching up his schemes.

In Sunday’s season-opening 40-26 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at TIAA Bank Field, rookie Josh Allen started at defensive end, Calais Campbell started at defensive tackle and Jalen Ramsey was at cornerback.

And they still got carved up by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Behind Mahomes, the Chiefs' high-powered offense easily picked back up where it left off last season when they averaged a league-high 35.3 points a game.

The Chiefs scored on their first seven possessions and totaled 491 yards.

"We gave up too many big plays against Kansas City," coach Doug Marrone said. "They got guys open, Sammy Watkins and [Travis] Kelce. They did a really good job. We were trying to prevent the big plays to see if they had any patience. That was the plan going into it, playing a lot of cover four, but again they did a nice job and made the plays and were able to get behind us and by us."

And it didn’t take long for the Jaguars to feel the brunt of the Chiefs’ firepower that came in waves in the sweltering heat of mid-90 degree temperatures. On the third play of the game, Watkins ran a route down the middle of the field, and safety Ronnie Harrison appeared to be in position to make a sure tackle.

Instead, he missed badly and Watkins was off to the races for a 68-yard touchdown catch.

It was the first sign of an opening day unraveling for Jacksonville. The Jaguars left open gaps in their coverage that Mahomes exposed like it was a practice drill. Allen got off the edge quickly, but Mahomes escaped trouble.

Watkins got whatever he wanted against cornerbacks A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey, or anyone else wearing a black Jaguars helmet. He already had six catches for 178 yards by the end of the second quarter before finishing with nine for 198 yards.

"We were on the sidelines talking to each other, and we really did not know how to feel," Ramsey said. "We knew that they had a great offense, but we thought we would perform better against them. 40 points is not good and that is not Jacksonville defense. We have too many talented players and too good of a group to perform like that out there, but its week 1, so we are going to watch the film and correct our mistakes as much as we can."

By halftime, Mahomes already had 313 yards passing and two touchdowns that led to a 23-13 lead. Kansas City had scores on its first seven possessions.

What could go wrong did go wrong, which included starting quarterback Nick Foles getting knocked out of the game for good with a left shoulder injury in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, starting middle linebacker Myles Jack was ejected for throwing a punch against Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, a former Gators player. After his ejection, Jack had to be restrained from going after the officials.

After Watkins caught his third touchdown catch of the afternoon, a 3-yard catch in front of Ramsey in the corner of the end zone, the Jaguars fans began to hit the exits. They had seen enough. Who could blame them? The Jaguars didn’t show many signs they’re any better than last season’s 5-11 team.

"I’m telling you, I’m fired up for this team," Marrone said. "I’m going to get this team ready to go, and we’re going to win football games. We’re going to work our way back."