Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce (87) catches a touchdown pass in a Week 10 win over Jacksonville. The Chiefs will host the Jaguars on Saturday in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs.
As the Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off an unlikely comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers during Saturday night’s Wild Card game, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted what everyone else was thinking.
Jacksonville rallied from a 27-0 deficit to beat the Chargers 31-30 in one of the greatest comebacks in NFL playoff history.
Now Mahomes and the top-seeded AFC Chiefs will host the No. 1 Jaguars. 4 at 4.30pm. (NBC) Saturday in the Divisional Round of the NFL postseason for a chance to advance to the conference title game.
The Chiefs, who have played in four consecutive AFC Championship games, are currently 8.5 point favorites over the Jaguars.
This will be the teams’ second time to play each other this season. Kansas City beat Jacksonville in Week 10, 27-17. The Chiefs were home favorites with 9.5 points in that one.
Kansas City took a 20-0 halftime lead, but the Jaguars got a touchdown run just before halftime, outscoring the Chiefs 17-7 the rest of the game. Mahomes threw for 331 yards and four touchdowns, while Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence threw for 259 yards and two scores.
FrontPageBets takes a look at the top three bets for this Saturday afternoon’s AFC Divisional Round playoff matchup.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings and subject to change)
Jaguars +8.5 (-110)
Kansas City was one of the worst teams against the spread during the regular season, going 6-10-1. This may interest you : Falcons sign veteran inside linebacker to one-year deal. As favorites, the Chiefs were 5-9-1, including 2-4-1 at home.
Jacksonville is now 9-9 against the spread, including that comeback win over the Chargers, where the Jaguars were 2.5-point underdogs. As underdogs, Jacksonville is 8-5 ATS.
Since 2018, when Kansas City began its streak of four straight AFC Championship appearances, the Chiefs have gone 7-4 in the playoffs against the spread.
Through the 2022 regular season, the Chiefs were 3-6 when favored by a touchdown or more. They covered 9.5 points when they faced Jacksonville in Week 10 in what turned out to be a 27-17 win.
But since that game, the Jaguars have gone 6-2 ATS.
Also, consider this: Lawrence has never lost on a Saturday. Dating back to his high school career, the Jacksonville quarterback is 37-0 on Saturdays, including 32-0 at Clemson.
Jaguar over 21.5 total team points (+100)
Jaguars over 21.5 total team points (+100)
Jacksonville averaged 23. Read also : Disgusted cheerleaders demand an NFL report on….8 points per game during the regular season which was good enough for 10th place in the NFL.
In the last six games – all wins – the Jaguars are averaging 29.5 points.
In the eight games since the Week 10 loss to the Chiefs, Jacksonville has scored 20 or more points six times.
Over the last five games of the regular season, Kansas City’s defense lost an average of 19.8 points.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce anytime touchdown (-145)
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce anytime touchdown (-145)
What Travis Kelce was able to do this year in Kansas City is the stuff records are made of. Read also : Band Illini, cheerleaders cancel Braggin’ Rights trip | University…. His 110 catches tied for second most by a tight end in a single season, good enough for third place in the NFL in 2022.
His 12 touchdown catches were also second most all during the regular season. And he’s been goalless in his last six games.
Kelce went three straight games to start the season without a touchdown catch, but then exploded for five in his next three games, including one against Jacksonville on Nov. 13.
In that win over the Jags, Kelce had six catches for 81 yards and that score.
Oh…and in 15 career playoff games, Kelce caught 12 touchdowns.
Problem gambling? There is help. Call 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling for assistance.
Photos: NFL teams, players, fans pay tribute to Damar Hamlin
Fans stand for photographs by a sign supporting Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin outside Highmark Stadium before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on court collapse in the team’s previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Fans sign a poster with messages of support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin outside Highmark Stadium before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-court collapse in the team’s previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Players and staff wear shirts in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during practice before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team’s previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) warms up with a Damar Hamlin jersey in support of Buffalo Bills safety during pre-game before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Cincinnati . (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
A patch showing support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is seen on a Bills jersey before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York (AP Photo/Joshua bessex)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, center, walks the field during practice as players wear No. 3 in support of safety Damar Hamlin during practice before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8 2023, in Orchard Park, NY Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic collapse on the field in the team’s previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A fan holds up a poster honoring injured Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell signs autographs for fans on their #3 signs in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team’s previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A fan holds a sign in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) during practice before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on court collapse in the team’s previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A monitor displays Love for Damar to honor injured Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Buffalo Bills running back Taiwan Jones (25) kneels in prayer for safety Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team’s previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
A medical professional holds up a heart and three fingers in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
“Love for Damar 3” is shown honoring injured Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Cincinnati Bengals cheerleaders wear armbands in honor of injured Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin as they perform in the first half of an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo /Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals show support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
Fans hold signs in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team’s previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Bills cornerback Siran Neal (33) holds up a flag in support of teammate Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York (AP Photo/Joshua bessex)
Fans hold up signs in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Fans show their support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) with signs and costumes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team’s previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Fans show their support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) with signs and costumes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team’s previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A fan holds a sign honoring Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith wears a T-shirt honoring Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin as he trains before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts gather on the field before their NFL football game in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Tree)
Buffalo Bills fans raise three fingers in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex )
A spectator holds up a sign honoring Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the first half of an NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
“Love for Damar 3” is displayed in honor of injured Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium prior to an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Atlanta . (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
A video board at Levi’s Stadium displays a message for Damar Hamlin during an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) stands on the sideline during a break in support of injured Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. The Steelers have won 28-14. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
A fan holds a sign in a show of support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the first half of an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski )
The number 3 is outlined in red Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on the field at Acrisure Stadium after an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
A fan holds up a sign paying tribute to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before the start of an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash )
A stadium video monitor displays a message honoring injured Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M Ebenhack)
Miami Dolphins mascot T.D. holds a sign that reads “Love for 3 Hamlin Strong” in support of Buffalo Bill safety Damar Hamlin, on the sidelines before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (photo AP/Doug Murray)
Mike Szvetitz is the general manager and director of content at FrontPageBets.com. Szvetitz is a 22-year veteran reporter and editor, including 17 years as a sports editor in Florida, Alabama and Virginia, covering everything from preps to pros. His column “View From The Lazy Boy” has won numerous state and national awards. He can be reached at mszvetitz@timesdispatch.com.
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce (87) catches a touchdown pass in a Week 10 win over Jacksonville. The Chiefs will host the Jaguars on Saturday in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs.
