Jaguars vs. Bengals preview: Burrow’s big, bold test at 2-1

Dustin Judge
Cincinnati Bengals logo ahead of the Jaguars vs. Bengals preview

The league’s stingiest defense meets a Cincinnati team trying to shake off a late-game collapse. The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) visit the Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) on Sunday, with Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence under center. This Jaguars vs. Bengals preview covers the quarterbacks, the defenses and the injuries to watch.

Jaguars vs. Bengals preview: game information

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 4, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. CBS will televise the game, according to Covers.

Can the Jaguars defense keep dominating?

Jacksonville leads the NFL in scoring defense at 12.0 points per game, or 36 points allowed through three games, according to the Bengals’ scouting report. The Jaguars have not allowed a 75-yard rusher in 20 straight games. The Jaguars are also coming off a 35-6 win over New England.

Lawrence has seven touchdown passes and two interceptions this season, including three scores and one interception against the Patriots, the team’s website reported. The site also lists him as 0-3 against Cincinnati. “That is one game that we definitely want back,” Lawrence said of last year’s loss.

Receiver Parker Washington has 15 catches for 221 yards and two touchdowns, and running back Bhayshul Tuten has 204 rushing yards and two scores. Those two give Jacksonville balance. For background on Jacksonville’s offseason, see our report on the Jaguars’ three-year contract extension.

What went wrong for the Bengals in Pittsburgh?

Cincinnati lost 30-27 to the Steelers even though Burrow completed 28 of 37 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, according to Local 12. A strip-sack by Derrick Harmon late in the fourth quarter sealed the result.

Special teams hurt, too, and that matters for this Jaguars vs. Bengals preview. A muffed punt led to a field goal and a roughing-the-punter penalty extended a touchdown drive. “The muffed punt led to 3. That’s ten points. That’s tough,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said, according to the team’s website. Burrow called the loss “self-inflicted.”

Ja’Marr Chase caught nine passes for 98 yards and a touchdown, and Tee Higgins had six catches for 90 yards and a score. Read more on Cincinnati’s offseason in our Bengals camp report.

Jaguars vs. Bengals preview: key matchup

The matchup to watch is Cincinnati’s receivers against Jacksonville’s secondary. Cornerback Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick in 2025, had an interception in Week 3, per the Bengals’ report. Jaguars coach Liam Coen praised Burrow’s ability to extend plays: “With him a play is never over.”

Jaguars vs. Bengals preview: injuries to watch

Bengals safeties Kyle Dugger and Bryan Cook were banged up during the loss in Pittsburgh, according to the team’s postgame notes. Official injury reports will update both teams’ availability before kickoff.

In the end, this Jaguars vs. Bengals preview comes down to whether Cincinnati can clean up its mistakes against a defense that rarely makes any.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.