Keeping the offense hot and 4 more things to watch for during Chiefs’ Week 5 MNF matchup against Jaguars

The Kansas City Chiefs will look to secure a winning record for the first time this season as they travel to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars on Monday Night Football.

Both teams are riding a two-game winning streak entering this matchup. The Jaguars are off to a surprising 3-1 start, as first-year coach Liam Coen has his young team believing.

They will surely be fired up playing at home under the primetime lights, but the Chiefs have experience on their side and are riding the momentum of a blowout win over the Baltimore Ravens last week. Here are our five things to watch for during Kansas City’s Week 5 showdown against Jacksonville.

Another big day for the Chiefs' passing attack

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes finally got into a rhythm with his pass catchers last week, throwing four touchdown passes en route to being named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Now the Chiefs have to prove that wasn't a one-off performance and keep it going.

They've already been provided with an opportunity to capitalize on, as Jaguars pass rusher Travon Walker could miss this game. Jacksonville's secondary has quietly been very good so far this season, forcing a league-high nine interceptions.

Conversely, Mahomes has done a great job taking care of the ball, throwing just one interception up to this point, which bounced off the hands of tight end Travis Kelce. If Mahomes continues to take care of the ball and spread it around to multiple playmakers, K.C. will have a tremendous chance to win this game.

Chiefs' defense rattling Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

Lawrence has had pockets of good play throughout his career, but hasn't quite lived up to the billing of being a No. 1 overall draft pick. He's coming off a disastrous 2024 season, and despite the Jaguars' overall success in 2025, Lawrence isn't exactly lighting it up.

Lawrence is completing just 58 percent of his passes, and is averaging one interception per game. Meanwhile, the Chiefs' defense is on fire, racking up five sacks and four turnovers over its last two games. Lawrence is 0-3 against K.C. in his career, and could fold quickly if he gets off to a slow start on Monday night.

Chiefs' front seven vs. Jaguars RB Travis Etienne

The Chiefs will face yet another great rushing attack this week, as Etienne ranks third in the NFL in rushing yards with 394. He is averaging a whopping 6.1 yards per carry, and is also a serviceable pass catcher out of the backfield.

Not to be slept on is Etienne's backup Bhayshul Tuten, who has blazing 4.3 40-yard dash speed. K.C.'s front seven has done a solid job bottling up opposing rushing attacks this season, but did allow a 71-yard rushing touchdown last week, and surrendered 130 yards to the New York Giants the week previous.

RB Brashard Smith featured more in Chiefs' offense

Fans have been clamoring to see Smith more involved as running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have gotten off to slow starts this season. They got their wish last week, with Smith getting a career-high 19 snaps and seven touches against Baltimore.

Coach Andy Reid told the media this past week that the team's plan is to get Smith on the field more each week. Smith hasn't made a huge splash play yet, but has put his speed on display a couple of times. Watch for the Chiefs to find creative ways to get him the ball in space against an aggressive Jaguars defense.

Attacking WR/CB Travis Hunter on both sides of the ball

Hunter was one of the most anticipated rookies in NFL history entering the 2025 season, but has underwhelmed so far. Granted, trying to play both sides of the ball is difficult enough, but even more so as a rookie. Throughout his first four games, Hunter has played 159 snaps on offense and 101 on defense.

As a WR, Hunter has played strictly in the slot up to this point. He caught a season-high six passes last week, but hasn't eclipsed 42 receiving yards in a game yet, and still hasn't found the endzone. With cornerback Trent McDuffie playing primarily in the slot, I wouldn't expect Hunter to find much success.

Hunter is even more of a project as a CB, and that reflected last week as he only played nine defensive snaps. He has recorded 11 total tackles and one pass defensed on the season, and has allowed 13 receptions for 118 yards. During the offseason Chiefs TE Travis Kelce made no bones that K.C.'s offense will challenge Hunter deep down the field.