Fresh from their bye week the suddenly relevant Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3) will host the struggling Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) at EverBank Field Sunday.
The game will be brought to you by the folks at CBS whether you like it or not at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars (-6)
O/U: 39.0
The History
The Jaguars and Bengals have played 20 times since 1995 with Jacksonville holding an 11-9 advantage in the all time series.
They last faced off on November 2, 2014 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 33-23. Andy Dalton outdueled Blake Bortles with a 19 of 31 performance for 233 yards, two touchdowns and two picks. Bortles finished 22 of 33 for 247 yards, two touchdowns and one pick. Jeremy Hill carried the ball 24 times for 154 yards and two touchdowns.
Jacksonville lost the last four meetings between the two teams, beginning in November, 2008. Before that, the Jaguars won four in a row from November 2001 to December, 2005.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-4)
If there’s such a thing as a bad win, the Bengals experienced one last week in a 24-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. A fourth quarter interception return for a touchdown by Carlos Dunlap was the difference in the game. While you don’t want to complain too hard when you get the dub, nobody can really feel good about Cincinnati at 3-4 after that.
Andy Dalton protected the ball at least, completing 17 of 29 for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Joe Mixon did absolutely nothing in the run game, gaining 18 yards on 11 carries. Cincy rushed for just 58 yards as a team. They’ll need a lot more out Mixon and Jeremy Hill on the ground since Jacksonville boasts one of the best passing defenses in the league.
Mixon did good work as a receiver. He caught three balls for 91 yards. A.J. Green was mostly silent, catching just three passes for 27 yards and a touchdown. They’ll need more from him, especially against the Jags passing defense, if they want to be in this game.
Defensively, the Bengals sacked Jacoby Brissett four times, forced a turnover, scored a touchdown and got eight stops in the backfield.
Kevin Minter and Tyler Boyd are both out. Michael Johnson and Brandon LaFell are listed as questionable, but practiced Thursday and Friday.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-3)
The Jaguars come off a bye after a 37-0 victory over the same Colts squad Cincy barely defeated last Sunday. Jacksonville is mostly healthy. A.J. Cann, Marqise Lee and Cam Robinson are all listed as questionable. Cann and Robinson practiced all week. Lee sat out Wednesday and Thursday, but was limited Friday.
I hope you’re sitting down. Blake Bortles was 18 of 26 for 330 yards and a touchdown two weeks ago. Even more shocking, he didn’t throw an interception. If Bortles continue playing anywhere close to this level, the Jaguars will get to lose in the first round of the playoffs. Maybe even at home!
With Leonard Fournette out, the offense was still grading dirt thanks to running back T.J. Yeldon. Yeldon gained 122 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Chris Ivory helped out with 17 carries for 47 yards and a touchdown of his own. Fournette isn’t on the injury report this week, so he should be back at full strength to face off against a solid Bengals front.
Bortles hit eight different receivers (on his own team!), with Allen Hurns catching five balls for 101 yards. Lee had four catches for 72 yards and tight end Mercedes Lewis caught two passes for 29 yards and a score.
On defense, the Jags sacked Brissett 10 times and got 13 stops in the backfield. Yannick Ngakue had 2.5 sacks all on his own.
The Pick
The Bengals aren’t as bad as their record, but too many early season stumbles will haunt them throughout the year. Doug Marrone has created something positive in Jacksonville and there’s no reason for a stumble at home. With Fournette back, the Jags should be able to control the clock and limit the damage A.J. Green can do in the passing game. Jaguars 27, Bengals 20
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 9-4
Against the spread: 8-5
Season
Straight up: 69-50
Against the spread: 58-61
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