Welcome to our live coverage of Sunday's big AFC showdown between the Jaguars and Bengals. This has the makings of a fun, high-scoring game that could very well come down to the wire.
Both teams entered the day with 2-1 records. The Jaguars are coming off a decisive, 35-6 win over the defending AFC champion Patriots. Through three games, the Jaguars boast the NFL's top-ranked scoring defense and the 10th-ranked scoring offense, led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Both units have been stellar on both third down and in the red zone.
The Bengals started 2-0 before coming down to earth last Sunday in Pittsburgh. The Bengals are surely hoping to perform better on special teams today after their punt return unit committed two costly mistakes last week that led to 10 Steelers points. Those mistakes overshadowed what Joe Burrow's best performance of the season to date was, which saw him complete his first 14 pass attempts. Burrow did, however, commit a fumble on Cincinnati's last drive that sealed the Bengals' first loss of the season.
Which team will come out on top? To find out, follow along in our live blog below, as we'll be providing updates, highlights and analysis throughout the game.
Cincinnati got close to midfield on their opening drive but had to punt after a pre-snap penalty turned a fourth-and-1 into a fourth-and-6. Tee Higgins was tackled a yard short of the first down the previous play.
Bengals defense was fast and furious on the game's first drive. Really nice open field tackle by Jordan Battle on third down to force the punt.
Bengals punt return unit continues to have issues, though. Holding call on Bengals pushes the ball back to the 10.
Jaguars luck out and get a holding call on their first play, which negates a possible strip sack for Boye Mafe. Bhayshull Tuten rips off a 15-yard run on the next play, though.
Bengals win toss and defer, Jaguars will get the ball first.
Big plays have also been missing from the Bengals offense. Joe Burrow's longest completion last Sunday against the Steelers was just 28 yards. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins had a combined 15 catches on 21 targets. I expect both to get more volume moving forward.
Cincinnati's potent offense will have its work cut out for it against Jacksonville's top-ranked scoring defense.
The Jaguars are allowing just 12 points per game and are 1st in TD passes allowed (2), 8th in rushing, 3rd in red zone and 2nd in red zone efficiency. Jacksonville's defense is full of young studs that includes Travis Hunter (who recently recorded his first career INT).
Jacksonville will be facing a Bengals offense that is averaging nearly 27 points per game. Cincinnati's Achilles heel so far has been in the red zone as they are 21st in the league in that department. The Bengals are also just 28th in the NFL in rushing. Chase Brown has 49 carries, but no other Bengals player has more than 10 rushes.
It'll be 75 at kickoff and will reach 78 degrees by 3 p.m. Virtually no wind.
Welcome to our live coverage of today's game between the Jaguars and Bengals. Both teams are hoping to get to 3-1 with a win today.
Here are both teams' inactive reports. PJ Jules will replace Bryan Cook as Cincinnati's starting FS today. Jules, a former undrafted rookie, has never started in an NFL regular season game.
Given their injuries, the Jaguars have elevated LB Jalen McLeod and CB Jabbar Muhammad to the active roster from the practice squad.
