Chiefs-Jaguars predictions from experts around the nation

A week ago, all but two of the national experts who offered up a prediction for the Chiefs’ game in Denver picked a Kansas City victory.

And, sure enough, the Chiefs rallied for the victory.

Ahead of Sunday’s Chiefs’ game against the Jaguars on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, the experts are close to being split.

Twenty-six of the 47 national observers who made picks went with the Chiefs to win the game, which kicks off at noon and is on KCTV (Ch. 5). So that’s 21 people who think the Jaguars will prevail.

Here is the breakdown and what people are saying about the game.

Six of ESPN’s 10 experts predicted a Chiefs victory. Picking the Chiefs were Mike Golic, Trey Wingo, Molly Qerim, Louis Riddick, Kevin Seifert and Seth Wickersham. Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Mina Kimes and Dan Graziano went with the Jaguars.

Three of USA Today’s five experts picked the Jaguars: Nate Davis, Jarrett Bell and Lorenzo Reyes. The Chiefs were the choice for Mike Jones and Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz.

David Steele of the Sporting News predicted a 23-17 Chiefs victory. “One of the NFL’s most fearsome defenses gives almost-too-good-to-be-freaking-true Patrick Mahomes another test … and on a short week, right after the Broncos’ defense wrung out everything he had in him,” Steele wrote. “Still, too much still hinges on Blake Bortles not messing things up for the Jaguars, especially with Leonard Fournette (hamstring) likely out again.”

The Jaguars are predicted to win by six of the eight CBS Sports writers. Only Will Brinson and Ryan Wilson chose the Chiefs. Pete Prisco, Jason La Canfora, Jared Dubin, John Breech, Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg picked the Jaguars.

Prisco wrote: “Watching Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes against the Jaguars defense will be a treat. Mahomes hasn’t thrown a pick this season and the Jaguars defensive backs don’t have one. That changes here. Watch for T.J. Yeldon to have a big day running it for the Jaguars.”

Elliot Harrison of NFL.com thinks the Chiefs will win 23-20. He wrote about the path for a Jaguars win: “The challenge for Jacksonville offensively will be generating a run game behind T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant (Leonard Fournette is out) with which to limit Kansas City’s possessions. That’s how the Jags will win Sunday.”

Six of the eight Pro Focus Football writers believe the Chiefs will win:

Four of the seven SB Nation writers picked the Jaguars to win. Ryan Van Bibber, Adam Stites, Charles McDonald and David Fucillo went with the Jaguars. Geoff Schwartz, Stephen White and Christian D’Andrea picked the Chiefs.

Five of the seven Sports Illustrated Monday Morning Quarterback writers forecast a Chiefs victory: Albert Breer, Andrew Brandt, Mitch Goldich, Jonathan Jones and Bette Marston, while Mark Mravic and Jenny Vrentas picked the Jaguars.