Jaguars Upset Chiefs 31-28 despite five inactives in Week 5 MNF

Jaguars Upset Chiefs 31-28 despite five inactives in Week 5 MNF

When Trevor Lawrence led the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 31‑28 victory over the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, it felt like a script flipped on the fly. The showdown took place on Week 5 Monday Night FootballArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri. Both sides entered the game with a handful of key players on the inactive list, yet the Jaguars managed to pull off a stunning upset that will be talked about for weeks.

Game Overview and Final Score

The contest was a roller‑coaster from start to finish. Kansas City jumped ahead early, thanks to a short‑range touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to his trusted target, Marquez Valdes‑Scantling. But the Jaguars answered back, with Lawrence striking for a 42‑yard strike to Brenton Strange that put them within five points.

Things got spicy in the fourth quarter. A crucial 3‑and‑out by the Chiefs gave Jacksonville a short field, and Lawrence capped the drive with his first rushing touchdown of the 2025 season – a 7‑yard plunge that tied the game at 28‑28. With less than two minutes left, the Chiefs managed a field goal, but a fumbled snap on the ensuing kickoff gifted the Jaguars prime possession. Lawrence’s quick pass to Zay Flowers set up the go‑ahead score, a 15‑yard strike to Loudair that sealed the win.

Key Inactive Players and Their Impact

Jacksonville’s Five Missing Contributors

The most glaring absence for Jacksonville was defensive end Travon Walker. Walker, who averaged 3.5 sacks last season, was sidelined with a lingering ankle sprain. Without him, the Jaguars’ pass rush looked a touch thin, allowing Mahomes an extra second to step up in the pocket.

Also out were offensive lineman Wyatt Milum, linebacker Yasir Abdullah, defensive lineman Danny Striggow, and defensive tackle Khalen Saunders Sr.. Their combined experience accounts for roughly 45 career starts, and their absence forced head coach Doug Pederson to shuffle backup players into starting roles.

Kansas City’s Six Inactives

On the Chiefs’ side, cornerback Kristian Fulton missed the game with a hamstring strain, weakening a secondary already stretched thin by the loss of L'Jarius Sneed earlier in the week.

Tight end Jared Wiley sat out with a hand injury, limiting Mahomes’ short‑range options. Running back Elijah Mitchell was listed as inactive due to a lingering groin issue, forcing Chiefs coach Andy Reid to rely heavily on Isiah Pacheco for every rushing attempt.

The defensive line also felt the loss of defensive tackle Omarr Norman‑Lott, defensive end Malik Herring, and offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad. Together, those six players represent over 120 career snaps, meaning coaches had to dip into the practice squad more than usual.

Offensive Highlights and Turning Points

Lawrence was the story of the night. He threw for 295 yards, three touchdowns, and also added 45 rushing yards. His connection with tight end Brenton Strange was especially potent; the pair linked on a 31‑yard touchdown that reminded many of the Lawrence‑Strange partnership that helped Jacksonville reach the playoffs two seasons ago.

Mahomes, meanwhile, posted a respectable 280 yards and two touchdowns, but the Chiefs’ offense never found the rhythm they displayed early in the season. The loss of Wiley meant fewer safety valve options, and the offensive line’s rotation—shuffled because of Nourzad’s absence—gave Mahomes just eight seconds of pocket time on average.

Special teams also played a pivotal role. The Jaguars’ kickoff return unit, bolstered by a surprise cameo from rookie returner Chris Sells, consistently gave Jacksonville better field position, while a muffed snap by the Chiefs’ special teams in the final minute left Jacksonville with a golden chance to seize the lead.

Coaches’ Adjustments and Depth Challenges

Pederson’s play‑calling showcased his knack for improvisation. With Walker out, he leaned on blitz packages that used linebackers in a rush role, a move that caught Mahomes off guard in the second quarter. On offense, the Jaguars mixed in a no‑huddle tempo to keep the depleted Chiefs’ defense guessing.

Reid, a veteran of adjusting to injuries, tried to compensate by rotating his backup linemen every three snaps, hoping to keep them fresh. The plan worked in the first half but grew chaotic as the game wore on; miscommunication on protection calls led to three sacks on Mahomes in the fourth quarter alone.

Both sidelines highlighted the growing importance of depth in the NFL’s increasingly injury‑prone environment. The Chiefs, who once leaned on a star‑heavy roster, now see the need to develop more reliable backups. The Jaguars, meanwhile, have proven that even with a stripped‑down defense, a balanced attack can keep them competitive.

What the Result Means for the Rest of the Season

For Jacksonville, the win does more than add three points to the ledger; it cements the team’s belief that they can beat elite opponents even when the odds aren’t in their favor. The victory pushes the Jaguars to 3‑2 on the season, keeping them comfortably in the AFC South race and within striking distance of a wildcard spot.

The Chiefs, now 4‑1, still sit near the top of the AFC West, but the loss serves as a cautionary tale. Analysts are already questioning whether the depth issues exposed in Kansas City could become a recurring theme as the schedule tightens. If injuries continue to plague Reid’s squad, the team may have to dip deeper into its practice squad to stay on pace for a playoff push.

Looking ahead, both teams face a packed slate. The Jaguars travel to Baltimore next week to meet the Ravens, a matchup that will again test their thin defensive line. The Chiefs, meanwhile, host the Denver Broncos at home, a game that could either reinforce their dominance or expose lingering vulnerabilities.