JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser examines five key plays from the Jaguars’ 26-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in a 2024 Preseason Week 1 game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville Saturday

1. Whooooaa. Second-year wide receiver Parker Washington gave the Jaguars early momentum – and early field position – with the franchise's first return under the NFL's new "dynamic field goal" rule. This came after the Chiefs took a 3-0 lead on the game's first possession with a 45-yard field goal by kicker Harrison Butker. Washington, a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, took the ensuing kickoff and returned it 73 yards for a Jaguars first down at the Chiefs 20. "Just a really good really good return by Parker, but there were also some good blocks on that play," Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson said. "He ran tough. It was a physical run. It was a great way to start our offense and get the game going for us." Lawrence capped the ensuing drive with a nine-yard pass to running back Travis Etienne Jr., who beat coverage to the inside of the field and ran the final few yards easily to the end zone for a 7-3 lead with 9:40 remaining in the first quarter. "He ran a great route and it was perfect coverage for it," Lawrence said. "Our receiver did a good job of how we teach on the outside there, so it was good. He did a great job."

2. What a catch. The Jaguars maintained momentum when the starters left Saturday's game late in the first quarter – in large part because of a spectacular catch by rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.. This came on a deep pass from reserve quarterback C.J. Beathard. Thomas, the No. 23 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, got just behind Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams on third-and-one from the Jaguars 19. Thomas reached for the pass and made a one-handed catch going to the ground for a 41-yard gain to the Chiefs 40. "It's just something I dreamed of playing in the NFL, just to be able to get that first game out of the way, it felt great," Thomas said. "There was a lot of excitement going into the game, but I had to control my emotions and stay focused. I feel like I did good. It was a great experience." Second year running back Tank Bigsby followed that with a 19-yard run to the Chiefs 21, setting up a 40-yard field goal by rookie kicker Cam Little for a 10-3 Jaguars lead with 14:10 remaining in the second quarter.

3. Standing tall. One of the game's most impressive plays came from C.J. Beathard– and it wasn't necessarily his first-quarter pass to Thomas. Beathard completed seven of 14 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown while playing through the end of the second quarter, and he gave the Jaguars the lead late in the first half, Beathard on first-and-10 from the Chiefs 35 stood in the pocket against a strong Chiefs rush, throwing a deep pass to wide receiver Devin Duvernay just before being hit. Rookie Jaden Hicks was called for roughing the passer on the play, with Duvernay's twisting catch behind cornerback Nic Jones giving the Jaguars a 16-10 lead with :26 remaining in the half. Veteran running back D'Ernest Johnson's two-point run made it 18-10.

4. Ruh-roh. The Jaguars extended the lead immediately after Duvernay's touchdown on a strange play impacted by the NFL's new "dynamic kickoff rule." On the kick immediately after the touchdown, Little's kick bounced a bit away from Chiefs returner Mecole Hardman out of the end zone to around the Chiefs one. Hardman, still in the end zone, retrieved the ball and kneeled in the end zone for what appeared to be a touchback. The Jaguars challenged the play, with officials ruling the play a safety for a 20-10 Jaguars lead with :25 remaining in the half. "That's kind of the first time that ever has happened," Pederson said. "With the new kickoff rule, the ball is always live – even when it hits in the end zone. Our guys upstairs were on it. It hit in the end zone and rolled out. Just great communication all around."

5. Pulling away. Two recently acquired players helped the Jaguars extend their lead – and eventually clinch victory – in the fourth quarter Friday. The Jaguars in the offseason acquired quarterback Mac Jones in a trade with the New England Patriots. They acquired tight end Josiah Deguara as an unrestricted free agent from the Green Bay Packers. With the Jaguars leading 23-13 midway through the fourth quarter, Jones passed deep to Deguara, who made an impressive catch on third-and-six for a first down to the Chiefs 26 with 6:52 remaining. That helped the Jaguars maintain possession and continued to drain the clock.