Jaguars (2-4) at Bengals (0-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s by 4
Jaguars’ keys to victory: The Bengals are depleted by injuries and under-performing in the offensive trenches, which could provide a big spark for a Jaguars defense that could use it. Over the first six games, Jacksonville’s base defense has created one turnover, a sour point given the absence of CB Jalen Ramsey. If DE Calais Campbell and LB Josh Allen can force Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton into mistakes, it will take immense pressure off a unit that has ranked among the NFL’s worst in yardage permitted on the ground.
Bengals’ keys to victory: Feeding RB Joe Mixon early and often has a way of keeping even elite pass rushers in check. Since 2017, the Bengals are 6-1 when Mixon gets 20 or more carries. But even under the supervision of a new coaching staff, Cincinnati has had a brutal time compensating for a poor offensive line, though Mixon’s ankle injury hasn’t helped.
Matchup to watch: Jaguars’ linebackers vs. Bengals WR Tyler Boyd. If the Jaguars can take away Boyd, provided WR A.J. Green isn’t back, the Bengals can’t move the ball. TE Tyler Eifert hasn’t been involved much and WR John Ross is hurt, so Boyd and his 40 catches, 20 for first downs, is the heart of the passing attack.
Who wins? Is A.J. Green on the field? Jalen Ramsey? How about Bengals LT Cordy Glenn? So many variables, yet the constants seem to be a new Cincinnati coaching staff looking outmatched, a strong Jaguars pass rush and a bad Bengals offensive line. Those constants hint at a second-half surge by the Jaguars.
Jaguars, 27-21 line: Jaguars
Jaguars schedule
L ...... Kansas City ...... 40-26 L ...... at Houston ...... 13-12 W ....... Tennessee ....... 20-7 W ....... at Denver ....... 26-24 L ...... atCarolina ...... 34-27 L ...... New Orleans ...... 13-6 Oct.20 ...atCincinnati ...1 Oct. 27 ....... N.Y. Jets ....... 1 Nov. 3 Hstn (Lon.) 9:30 a.m. Nov. 10 ............. BYE ............. Nov. 17 . at Indianapolis . 1 Nov. 24 at Tennessee 4:05 Dec. 1 ...... Tampa Bay ...... 1 Dec. 8 L.A. Chargers 4:05 Dec. 15 .. at Oakland .. 4:05 Dec. 22 ...... at Atlanta ...... 1 Dec. 29 ... Indianapolis ... 1
Bengals schedule
L ....... atSeattle ....... 21-20 L .... San Francisco .... 41-17 L ....... atBuffalo ....... 21-17 L ..... atPittsburgh ..... 27-3 L ......... Arizona ......... 26-23 L ..... at Baltimore ..... 23-17 Oct. 20 .... Jacksonville .... 1 Oct. 27 at LA Rams (Lon.) 1 Nov. 3 .............. BYE .............. Nov. 10 ...... Baltimore ...... 1 Nov. 17 .. at Oakland .. 4:25 Nov. 24 ..... Pittsburgh ..... 1 Dec. 1 ........ N.Y. Jets ........ 1 Dec.8 .... atCleveland .... 1 Dec. 15 ... New England ... 1 Dec. 22 ....... at Miami ....... 1 Dec. 29 ..... Cleveland ..... 1