Jaguars Learn to Deal With It

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars have won without a $31-million quarterback, a Pro Bowl left tackle and four defensive starters.

Kansas City would do well to follow their example.

Despite the missing players, the Jaguars had a team-record six sacks and forced Kansas City backup quarterback Rich Gannon into five turnovers Sunday in a 24-10 victory that kept them in first place in the AFC Central.

“We’re a very resilient team,” said linebacker Jeff Kopp, making his third consecutive start in place of Kevin Hardy.

The Chiefs were without starting quarterback Elvis Grbac, who broke his collarbone in a Monday night victory over Pittsburgh, and tight end Ted Popson, who suffered a concussion against the Steelers.

Gannon failed to move the Chiefs inside the 20. Their only touchdown came in the fourth quarter on Danan Hughes’s seven-yard fumble return.

“We didn’t play well on both sides of the ball, but we will hopefully get things back together and not panic,” Gannon said.

The Chiefs play AFC West-leading Denver on Sunday and San Francisco two weeks after that.

The Jaguars (7-3) won their first two games without quarterback Mark Brunell, one of those with Steve Matthews at quarterback. The Chiefs cut Matthews in training camp. Two defensive tackle starters have been lost for the season, and another, Don Davey, went down in the fourth quarter because of a sprained knee. Hardy and cornerback Aaron Beasley have been out the last month.

And they played Sunday without Pro Bowl left tackle Tony Boselli, sidelined because of a high ankle sprain. With only one lineman in his usual position, the Jaguars had one of their best rushing games with 150 yards.