A Bold Prediction for the Jaguars and Chiefs Divisional Duel

This weekend, the 2023 NFL divisional round commences. In the first game of the AFC bracket, it’s the Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off a 1st round bye, vs. the momentum-gaining Jacksonville Jaguars, who upset the Chargers last week at the buzzer. Who wins in this Week 10 rematch in a battle between AFC West and AFC South?

Kansas City (14-3) vs. Jacksonville (9-8): Saturday, Jan. 21, 4:30 pm on NBC

Why Jacksonville Upsets the Chiefs in the 2023 NFL Divisional Round

First, the big question for the Jaguars here: Will they avoid another slow start?

Jacksonville has made a habit of having bad first halves all year, posting a minus-11 first-half point differential this season, one of the worst marks in the league. They overcame that with a plus-65 mark in the second half of games, which was the fourth-best mark in the league, per ESPN.com. The Jags also had at least a two-score deficit in five of their 10 wins this season, including last week’s playoff game.

After losing 27-17 during Week 10 of the regular season, you can expect the Jags to be back with a vengeance. And who could blame them? With the momentum they gained from the last-second upset of the LA Chargers in the Wild Card at home, Jacksonville could theoretically have a shot at pulling their 2nd upset in as many playoff weeks. They pull that off through their firey offense, led by QB Trevor Lawrence. Despite 3 INTs early on against the Chargers, he still led his team to victory.