The Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars will clash in EverBank Stadium this Sunday with a whole lot on the line. It’s early in the season, but both of these teams figure to be in the AFC playoff picture by the end of the year. The Chiefs started 1-2 but earned a massive win over the Baltimore Ravens last weekend, and the Jaguars are looking to start the season 4-1 for the first time since 2007.

Here are some bold predictions for Monday night’s clash.

1) Travis Etienne rushes for 125+ yards

Before the start of the season, many thought the Jaguars could trade Travis Etienne. He was disappointing in 2024, rushing for 558 yards and two touchdowns while playing 15 games, but he is off to a hot start to 2025. Through four games, Etienne has rushed for 394 yards and two scores and could be in for another big game on Monday.

The Chiefs’ defense has been excellent this season, giving up more than 20 points just one time, but they have struggled defending the run. The Chiefs rank 22nd in the league, giving up 127 rushing yards per game. Jacksonville’s offensive line has done a great job blocking in the run game, which has enabled Etienne to average 6.1 yards per carry.

If the Jaguars want to win this game, they need to control the clock and keep the ball out of Patrick Mahomes‘ hands. To do that, they need to run the ball early and often, which is why Etienne could be in for a big game.

2) Patrick Mahomes and Xavier Worthy link up for a 70+ yard touchdown

After playing the first three games of the season without Xavier Worthy, Patrick Mahomes got his star receiver involved in his first game back. Worthy was targeted eight times again the Ravens, catching five passes for 83 yards. He had a catch of 37 yards, but we didn’t see the Chiefs connect on a deep shot all game. Could one be coming this week?

Worthy has 4.21 speed and can easily get behind any defense. The deep shots haven’t been there for the Chiefs this year, but with Worthy back to 100-percent, it would be surprising if they don’t try to connect on a deep ball or two. The Jags defense hasn’t been great against the pass this season, so there will be at least a few opportunities for Mahomes and Worthy to link up for a big touchdown.

3) Brashard Smith leads the Chiefs in carries

The Chiefs’ running game hasn’t been as effective as they want it to be. They’re averaging a tad over 100 yards per game, and their two lead backs, Isaiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, are averaging just 4.0 and 3.2 yards per carry respectively. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported the Chiefs will continue to give their rookie, Brashard Smith, more carries this week in order to try to fix some of those problems.

Last time out, Hunt led the team with 13 carries but rushed for just 34 yards. Pacheco received the second-most carries with seven, and Smith got four. While it’d be shocking to see such a drastic change in how they divvy up their touches, Smith should have a much bigger role than he had a week ago and could lead the team in carries. The Chiefs know Pacheco and Hunt aren’t their future at running back, so getting Smith involved now lets them see what they have in the 2025 seventh-round pick.

4) Chiefs defense forces a late turnover to secure the win

Before the season started, the consensus would’ve been that the Chiefs would win this game by a touchdown or more. However, with the Chiefs starting slowly and the Jags winning three of their first four, the spread is only 3.5 points in favor of the Chiefs. While I believe they’ll cover, this should be a one-score game late.

At some point in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars should have the ball with a chance to drive down the field and take the lead or tie the game. Trevor Lawrence has been a bit turnover-prone this year (four interceptions in four games), though, and the Chiefs defense is stout. I expect Steve Spagnuolo to dial up some pressure late in the game, which could force Lawrence into a crucial mistake and help the Chiefs secure the win.