Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars head to face off Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals as both look to claim top status in the AFC.
There are plenty of intriguing games on the Week 4 NFL slate, but one sneaky game could have major implications for two potential AFC playoff contenders sitting at 2-1.
This week’s NFL Roundtable Game of the Week looks at the surging Jacksonville Jaguars coming off a dominant win to face the Cincinnati Bengals who are looking to get right after a divisional loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Both teams have top offenses in the league and are led by young Pro Bowl quarterbacks in the Bengals’ Joe Burrow and the Jagurs’ Trevor Lawrence.
Expect the points total in this one to be on the higher side, though these teams always play each other down to the wire.
Cincinnati holds the edge with wins in the last four contests.
We reached out to our Bengals Roundtable publisher Joey Linn and Jaguars Roundtable publisher Scott Salomon and beat writer Jason Klingensmith to answer five key questions headed into the enticing matchup.
1. What is the biggest story for each team heading into the matchup?
Jaguars RTB: Jacksonville put the rest of the NFL on notice last week by dominating the defending AFC champion New England Patriots. Can the Jaguars keep it going against another top team in the Bengals before back-to-back “home” games in London against the Eagles and Texans? At 2-1, if they finish this brutal stretch of their schedule 4-2 or better, the Jaguars may have the edge to be the AFC’s top seed at season’s end.
Bengals RTB: Cincinnati’s response to its 30-27 loss in Pittsburgh. The Bengals were in position to win but made costly mistakes. Facing a Jacksonville team that has allowed just 12 points per game leaves no margin for self-inflicted errors.
2. What is the most important matchup in this game?
Jaguars RTB: Travis Hunter and the other Jacksonville CBs against Cincinnati WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Hunter has been one of the leagues’s best CBs in man coverage this year and recorded his first INT last week. The Jaguars are known for creating turnovers, especially interceptions. If Hunter, Jarrian Jones, and Jourdan Lewis can keep Chase and Higgins in check and get a pick or two, the Jaguars should walk out of Cincy with another statement win.
Bengals RTB: Bengals right tackle Amarius Mims against Jaguars edge rusher Travon Walker. Joe Burrow with even an extra second of time can be a game changer. Walker has 14 pressures through three games, while Mims has been among the league’s best right tackles in one-on-one pass protection.
3. Which player from your team isn’t talked about enough but could play a huge role?
Jaguars RTB: Jacksonville Nose Tackle DaVon Hamilton. The Jaguars haven’t allowed a 75-yard rusher in 20 games and Hamilton is a huge (literally) reason why. He was outstanding against the Patriots. If Jacksonville can make the Bengals one-dimensional, it bodes well for its chances of another quality win.
Bengals RTB: Dax Hill could have a huge role. Cincinnati is thin at cornerback, which puts him in line to see plenty of Parker Washington. He may be the Bengals’ best chance at limiting one of Trevor Lawrence’s top targets.
4. What is your team’s biggest Achilles heel?
Jaguars RTB: The Pass Rush. The Jaguars’ pass rush can be hit or miss. They have 8 sacks in their two wins and had zero in their loss at Denver. Jacksonville can struggle to get pressure from anyone other than star edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, especially from the interior. If Joe Burrow has all kinds of time to throw on Sunday, it will be difficult for Jacksonville to slow down the Bengals’ offense.
Bengals RTB: The Bengals have yet to produce an explosive running game. Burrow is always asked to do a lot, but even more so this year. Cincinnati ranks 27th in rushing yards per game, and putting that against Jacksonville’s strong run defense could be a problem.
5. What is your final score prediction?
Jaguars RTB: Jaguars 27, Bengals 20. The Jaguars are playing great football, winning 10 of their last 11 regular-season games. Trevor Lawrence has turned into an MVP-level quarterback. Bhayshul Tuten has looked great as the new RB1. The WRs are as talented and deep as any group in the NFL, and the defense consistently gets takeaways. Jacksonville is the only team with a top-5 EPA both on offensive and defense.
Bengals RTB: Bengals 27, Jaguars 24. Jacksonville’s defense keeps it close, but I’ll take Burrow at home to make the decisive plays late.
