The Chiefs were playing without quarterback Alex Smith, running back Spencer Ware and then lost an already less than 100% Jeremy Maclin early, but leaned on the defense to win their 10th straight at Arrowhead in a 19-14 final over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The defense (and lack of technology from the NFL), most likely saved the Chiefs.
Nick Foles threw for 187 yards and had a nice first-half touchdown pass to Albert Wilson, after the Chiefs created a turnover on a punt return.  Foles also engineered drives that set up four field goals by Cairo Santos.
Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns, but was also picked off once.
The Jags actually outgained KC 449 to 231.
The turning point in the game came midway through the fourth quarter. Â Jacksonville drove down the Chiefs one and on second down, Chris Ivory’s fumble into the endzone was recovered by the Chiefs for a touchback.
The T.V. audience could see frame-by-frame that the ball crossed the plane of the goal line before coming out of Ivory’s hands, but NFL replay officials didn’t have the use of that technology and could not make the proper call. Â Instead of a touchdown for the Jags, it turned into a touchback.
After a three and out by the Chiefs, Bortles brought the Jags back down for a 13 yard TD pass to T.J. Yeldon capping off a six-play drive, 61-yard drive.
Another three and out gave Jacksonville a chance to take the lead, but the Chiefs stopped them on a 3rd and 1, then 4th and 3 at the Chiefs 32 in the closing minutes to seal the win.
More on the NFL’s inability to get the use of replay correctly will be covered on Monday’s podast–The Bill Pollock Show.
