KANSAS CITY—An interception and subsequent 15-yard touchdown return by Kansas City linebacker Derrick Johnson ruined what had become a budding feel-good, comeback story. Johnson's touchdown also ruined any chance the Jaguars had of finishing the first half of the season with a winning record.
"I came into the game feeling pretty confident. If I take back about four plays, I could've done something significant to help us win," 38-year-old quarterback Todd Bouman said following the Jaguars' 42-20 loss to the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.
Bouman was brought out of "retirement," you might say, to replace David Garrard, who remained in Jacksonville to recuperate from the concussion he sustained on Monday night. Until Johnson's interception, Bouman was writing a story that would've made headlines nationwide."He gave our football team a chance. To not take advantage of that performance, I'm extremely disappointed," coach Jack Del Rio said of a strong showing by Bouman and an equally weak effort by the Jaguars defense.
The Chiefs gained 426 yards of offense, but it was the 236 yards rushing the Jaguars surrendered that left Del Rio clearly exasperated as he spoke to reporters in the coach's postgame interview.
"Allowed them to run it; a couple of plays over the top in the pass game. I take full responsibility for it. As I told the guys right now, I find it completely unacceptable. I didn't see nearly enough fight today," Del Rio said.
Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel attempted only 18 passes, yet, he threw two touchdown passes on the way to a 144.0 passer rating. Meanwhile, Thomas Jones rushed for 125 yards and Jamaal Charles added 71.
"I feel the place where we're letting things get away is mostly with our defense," Del Rio said. "There are so many routine plays that aren't being made. The past three weeks, we're minus 10," he added of the Jaguars' turnover differential.
Bouman's final stats aren't indicative of the way he played. He finished with 222 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and a 68.5 passer rating, but one of those interceptions was at desperation time. Until, Johnson's interception, Bouman was the star of the game, as television focused their cameras on his wife and two children cheering his comeback attempt.
"It's been fun," said Bouman, who was signed to a contract by the Jaguars last Wednesday. Garrard is expected to be cleared to practice this week and play in next Sunday's game in Dallas.
Bouman sustained an injury to a finger on his throwing hand after getting it caught in a jersey while attempting to make a tackle on the return of the late-game interception he threw. Del Rio was unable to provide a diagnosis of the injury.
The loss leaves the Jaguars at 3-4 heading into their game at Dallas next Sunday. The following week will be their bye.
"We played well in the first half. Their defense stepped up big. It's definitely a tough loss," running back Maurice Jones-Drew said.
