Jaguars-Chiefs Preview

SCOUTING REPORT

Chiefs will be tough to beat at Arrowhead StadiumThe Jaguars are coming off a bye week and are anxious to find out if they can continue the trend of winning away from home after beating the Broncos on the road in Week 3. They have not been clicking on all cylinders and hope that they have been able to fine-tune their offense over the past two weeks. Meanwhile, Kansas City appears to be rebounding after a poor start by winning their last two games against Minnesota and at San Diego. This will be only the second home game for the Chiefs and they are very hard to beat at Arrowhead Stadium.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
JAC	11-5	411	304	6-2	5-3	2-4	8-4
KAN	4-12	226	335	2-6	2-6	2-4	3-9
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Jacksonville Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Garrar... 60.9 3597 15 10 McCown 33.3 2 0 0

Kansas City Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Cassel 55.0 2924 16 16 Croyle 57.5 230 2 0

Jacksonville Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Jones-... 312 1391 4.5 15 Garrar... 77 323 4.2 3

Kansas City Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Charle... 190 1120 5.9 7 Johnso... 132 377 2.9 0

Jacksonville Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Sims-W... 63 869 13.8 7 Holt 51 722 14.2 0

Kansas City Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Chambe... 36 608 16.9 4 Bowe 47 589 12.5 4

Full Player Stats: Jacksonville | Kansas City

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	JAC	357.0
	KAN	277.0
Yards Passing	JAC	208.0
	KAN	198.8
Yards Rushing	JAC	149.4
	KAN	78.0
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	JAC	313.8
	KAN	319.4
Pass Yds Allowed	JAC	213.5
	KAN	188.9
Rush Yds Allowed	JAC	100.3
	KAN	130.6

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Jacksonville leads 3-2
Dec 31, 2006	JAC 30, KAN 35
Oct 17, 2004	JAC 22, @KAN 16
Sep 15, 2002	JAC 23, KAN 16
Dec 30, 2001	JAC 26, @KAN 30

With a fast-improving defense and a soft schedule, the Kansas City Chiefs are carrying a lot of momentum into the second quarter of the season.

They'll look to continue their surprising winning streak when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in a matchup of two of the NFL's best early-season defenses.

After poor performances in losses to Houston and Chicago to open the season, many fans had written off the Chiefs and begun looking to next year. But behind a stout defense, Kansas City has won two straight and is tied with Denver and Oakland atop the AFC West.

Now, the NFL's best home team over the past two decades gets a chance to pad its record at cozy Arrowhead Stadium.

"Obviously, we wish we were in better shape than we are now," Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. "But we are what we are. We're 2-2. But you're looking at the games at home, you've got two at home, then you go on the road and then you come back for three out of the four at home again.

"If you're going to make a run at anything, you're going to have to make your run there."

Kansas City (2-2) hosts Cincinnati next week and plays four of its next five at home, where the team is 14-3 since 2005 -- the best record in the NFL. Since 1990, the Chiefs are an NFL-best 103-34 at Arrowhead Stadium.

The key to the Chiefs' success has been a shut-down defense, which has held Minnesota and San Diego scoreless in the second half the past two weeks while giving the offense a chance to rally. Kansas City ranks third in the NFL, allowing just 285.8 yards per game.

The Chiefs came back from a 10-0 deficit to beat the Vikings 13-10 in Week 3, then scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Chargers 30-16 last week.

Now, with rookie receiver Dwayne Bowe beating opposing secondaries -- he leads all rookies in catches (18), yards (299) and touchdowns (3) -- and fellow receiver Eddie Kennison set to return from an injury, the Chiefs have a dimension other than Pro Bowl running back Larry Johnson.

Bowe had eight catches for a team rookie-record 164 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers while Johnson had his first 100-yard game of the season, rushing for 123 yards. Tight end Tony Gonzalez also entered his name in the record books, catching a touchdown pass, the 62nd of his career, to tie Shannon Sharpe for the most all-time by a tight end.

"You'd like to be in a situation where you're kind of getting some momentum," Edwards said. "All of a sudden, you've won two and you feel a lot better about yourself. We've still got a long way to go. But hey, we're playing at home and that always helps."

The Jaguars (2-1) had a bye last week, getting a much-needed break to heal some injured players. Jacksonville has won two straight after losing its season opener to Tennessee, and the Jaguars rank fourth in the NFL in defense, allowing just 287.7 yards per game.

However, many Jaguars were hurting, including Pro Bowl defensive tackle John Henderson, who sat out the team's 23-14 win over Denver on Sept. 23.

Henderson sustained a concussion in the Jaguars' 13-7 win over Atlanta the previous week, and despite going back into that game, was held out against Denver. He's spent the bye week recovering, as did linebacker Clint Ingram, running back Fred Taylor and left tackle Khalif Barnes.

"It's big for us right now because we have so many guys dinged," said Ingram, who missed the first three games with a sprained ankle. "It's a chance for guys with dents and dings and little stuff like that to work them out.

"You don't get much time to heal in this league, but when you do, you've got to be able to take advantage of it. We're definitely doing that now."

Jacksonville has used a strong defense and mistake-free offense to jump out to its quick start. The Jaguars are allowing and AFC-low 11.3 points per game while David Garrard has a 103.8 passer rating and is one of just two quarterbacks in the league with at least 50 pass attempts and no interceptions.

Jacksonville and Kansas City are just two of four teams to hold their opponents under 20 points in each game this year.

The Chiefs beat the Jaguars 35-30 at home on Dec. 31, clinching a wild card spot when other outcomes swung in their favor. Johnson had 138 yards rushing and three touchdowns. The Jaguars, however, have won four of the six all-time meetings between the teams.

Wickersham: The future of the NFL

Seth Wickersham looks at the labor dispute that is hanging over the NFL and what the future may hold for the league.

Scouts Inc.: AFC offseason needs

You can think of this as the ultimate primer for the NFL offseason, or at least the AFC offseason: Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. breaks down all the squads in the AFC and tells you their top three needs to address, be it via the draft or free agency.

Chiefs' Waters receives Man of the Year award

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell revealed Sunday that Brian Waters of the Kansas City Chiefs was this season's winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Owners talk labor situation; status quo reigns

NFL owners have met for several hours to discuss the labor situation, although it appears they are no closer to reaching an agreement with the players' union for a new collective bargaining agreement.

Jaguars coach blasts Henderson for leaving workout because of 'minor' shoulder injury

RICK WILSON/The Times-UnionJaguars defensive tackle John Henderson grabs his left shoulder during an organized team activity session Monday at the practice fields adjacent to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

Safety McCree set to rejoin Jaguars

DON BURK/The Times-UnionMarlon McCree , with San Diego in this 2007 photo, is set to return to the Jaguars.

After lost season, Jags seek how to put 'train' back on track

Among the league's most disappointing teams last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars never came close to meeting expectations as a chic preseason Super Bowl pick.

NewFull-speed ahead for Jaguars safety Nelson

RICK WILSON/The Times-Union Jaguars safety Reggie Nelson breaks up a pass intended for Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco during the Jaguars' 21-19 loss in Cincinnati on Nov.

Ex-Jaguar pleads not guilty to drug charges

Former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jimmy Smith pleaded not guilty to several charges Thursday including possession of cocaine and marijuana.

'He runs a tight ship'

When Todd Haley was introduced as the Chiefs' new head coach in early February, he joked that he was trying to loosen up, if only for the day.

Safety alert: Mike Brown making free-agent visit to Kansas City

One safety with Chicago ties is expected to announce his retirement today. Another will look for a new place to continue his career.

Still no Waters or Vrabel at Chiefs practice, but LJ returns

The Chiefs began another week of optional team practices without two important pieces, and how Kansas City ends this week could foretell whether key players on offense and defense have a future with the team.

Chiefs adjust to new roles in new defense

Turk McBride still feels himself inching toward the defensive line, home for so long, and the comfort his old position would bring.

Clock ticking on Chiefs contract

The game of chicken between the Kansas City Chiefs and state government has yet to scare away potential builders of a summer training camp facility in St.