https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/the-chiefs-broke-the-jaguars-with-their-pass-rush-then-swept-up-the-pieces/ar-AA16BwJf?cvid=20eceb526d2f41708596a23b74aea567
The Chiefs and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo found ways to bring pressure on seemingly every passing down. The Jaguars and head coach Doug Pederson worked around it as long as they could. They lost as a result.
This wasn’t unexpected. The Chiefs spent 2022 injecting chaos into the pocket. Their 24.9 percent pressure rate ranked fifth in the NFL. Their 55 sacks were second most. Pederson knew this and tailored his offense around it. To a fault.
Lawrence engineered a conservative passing game seven days after throwing four first half interceptions against the Los Angeles Chargers. His average target depth dipped to 5.0 yards in the first three quarters. His average time to throw was a mere 2.51 seconds — below his season-long 2.59, which was already fourth-lowest in the league.
Kansas City had pressure in Lawrence’s face all night. Pederson was able to plan around this to the tune of only two sacks and seven quarterback hits, but wasn’t able to turn that into sustained drives and meaningful points. Jacksonville’s answer to the Chiefs’ constant pressure was to get the ball to its playmakers near the line of scrimmage and hope they would make plays.
