Chiefs-Jaguars Preview

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• Countdown Daily Recap: Chiefs-Jaguars

SCOUTING REPORT

Chiefs-Jaguars: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Chiefs-Jaguars matchup. 1. Kansas City needs to run the ball effectively: The Chiefs need to establish some kind of ground game as the season winds down and this should be a good week to start. Jacksonville gave up a mind-boggling 228 yards with an average of 9.5 yards per carry to Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans this past Sunday. The problem is that Kansas City will be without mercurial RB Larry Johnson, who has been suspended.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
KAN	3-7	169	239	1-4	2-3	1-2	2-4
JAC	6-4	199	235	4-1	2-3	2-2	5-2
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Kansas City Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Cassel 55.0 1720 12 6 Croyle 66.7 177 2 0

Jacksonville Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Garrar... 61.8 2303 8 6 McCown 33.3 2 0 0

Kansas City Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Johnso... 132 377 2.9 0 Charle... 64 313 4.9 1

Jacksonville Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Jones-... 194 926 4.8 13 Garrar... 50 218 4.4 2

Kansas City Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Bowe 33 466 14.1 4 Chambe... 10 249 24.9 2

Jacksonville Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Sims-W... 47 694 14.8 6 Holt 38 516 13.6 0

Full Player Stats: Kansas City | Jacksonville

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	KAN	268.0
	JAC	354.0
Yards Passing	KAN	171.3
	JAC	217.7
Yards Rushing	KAN	96.8
	JAC	136.3
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	KAN	389.5
	JAC	356.1
Pass Yds Allowed	KAN	250.9
	JAC	244.0
Rush Yds Allowed	KAN	138.6
	JAC	112.1

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Jacksonville leads 4-2
Oct 7, 2007	KAN 7, @JAC 17
Dec 31, 2006	KAN 35, @JAC 30
Oct 17, 2004	KAN 16, JAC 22
Sep 15, 2002	KAN 16, @JAC 23
Dec 30, 2001	KAN 30, JAC 26

Beleaguered Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson had his suspension cut in half this week, but he won't get the chance to become the franchise's all-time leading rusher Sunday.

Without Johnson, the visiting Chiefs try to turn around a struggling offense when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are looking to rebound from another woeful defensive effort.

Following a 37-7 loss to San Diego on Oct. 25, Johnson questioned first-year coach Todd Haley's credentials on his Twitter page and posted a gay slur. He used a similar slur the next day to reporters.

During the bye week, the Chiefs suspended the running back for two games, but reduced the penalty Monday over fears they would lose in arbitration.

Johnson, 75 yards shy of breaking Priest Holmes' team rushing record, cannot participate in team activities until Nov. 9.

"He learned from it and hopefully other people learned from it," Johnson's agent Peter Schaeffer said. "My hope is that people learn that something positive can come out of this and that there are words that should not be used because they demean people."

Even with Johnson, Kansas City (1-6) has been one of the NFL's worst offensive teams this season, ranking 30th with 251.6 yards per game and 27th with 15.0 points a contest.

The Chiefs are 21st in the league in rushing with 101.3 yards per game as Johnson has gained a career-low 2.7 per carry. Jamaal Charles, averaging 5.0 yards in limited action, could make his fourth career start.

Dantrell Savage, who has 41 yards on eight carries, could also see increased playing time.

"Our running game is something we know we have to have to have a chance to win," Haley said. "We're not going to beat people throwing it 50-60 times a game right now. Our running game is one of those areas that has to improve, specifically eliminating minus-yardage runs. So that's where our focus has been, and that's where it will continue to be."

Kansas City will face a Jacksonville team that ranks near the bottom in most major defensive categories. The Jaguars were burned for a franchise-worst 305 rushing yards in last week's 30-13 loss at Tennessee.

The Titans' Chris Johnson ran for a team-record 228 yards and had a pair of long touchdown runs that put the game away.

The Jaguars (3-4) managed to stay somewhat competitive because of Maurice Jones-Drew, who ran for a career-high 177 yards and two TDs on just eight carries. David Garrard wasn't nearly as good, getting sacked three times, intercepted twice and losing a fumble while throwing for just 139 yards.

"I don't have an answer, but we've got to find a way to fix it," Jones-Drew said. "It's not a mentality issue. Everything can be fixed. It's what you want to do to fix it. It's the little things."

That prompted coach Jack Del Rio to hold a rare full-pads practice Wednesday. He initially considered live tackling drills but backed off because of injury concerns.

Kansas City has won three of its last 29 games and dropped 13 of 15 away from home. The Chiefs earned a rare road victory Oct. 18 over Washington but lost their other two road games by a combined 72-38, gaining less than 200 yards in each loss.

The Chiefs are making their first trip to Jacksonville since a 22-16 defeat Oct. 17, 2004. The Jaguars lead the all-time series 5-2 and took the most recent meeting 17-7 at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 7, 2007.

Jones-Drew rushed for a 52-yard touchdown and Garrard threw for another TD in that win, while Johnson was held to 12 yards on nine carries.

Jags stay hot, win despite T.O.'s huge game

David Garrard's second game-winning drive in as many weeks gave the Jacksonville Jaguars their first three-game winning streak in nearly two years.

Chiefs stun Steelers; Big Ben suffers hit to head

Ryan Succop's 22-yard field goal with 8:28 left in overtime lifted the Kansas City Chiefs to a come-from-behind 27-24 victory Sunday over the Pittsburgh Steelers, breaking a team-record 10-game home losing streak.

Barrios: Why GLAAD took action about Larry Johnson

The president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation outlines the danger in anti-gay comments such as the ones made recently by running back Larry Johnson.

Ravens' Edwards plans appeal of roughness fine

Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards plans to appeal the $5,000 fine he received for a hit delivered to Cleveland Browns wide receiver Joshua Cribbs on Monday night.

'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.

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.