Bengals (5-6) at Jaguars (8-3)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville TV: ESPN/ABC
Spread (BetMGM):
Jaguars by by 8.5
Bengals’ keys to victory: Cincinnati has to do more to help rookie QB Jake Browning, who has been thrust into action in the place of injured QB Joe Burrow. That help begins with finding running room with RB Joe Mixon, although doing so could be a tough ask against a stout Jaguars run defense (87.4 yards allowed per game). The pass-rushing duo of DEs Trey Hendrickson and Myles Murphy will need to do a lot to impact the Jacksonville offense and keep the scoring low.
Jaguars’ keys to victory: The Jacksonville offense has started to find a rhythm with its full complement of its playmakers now healthy and available. As long as QB Trevor Lawrence doesn’t turn the ball over and distributes passes to WR Calvin Ridley, WR Christian Kirk and TE Evan Engram without forcing balls into dangerous situations, Jacksonville should be able to find points. The Jaguars defense, led by OLB Josh Allen, needs to focus on stopping the run to force the Bengals’ rookie passer to beat them.
Matchup to watch: Bengals’ Hendrickson vs. Jaguars OT Walker Little. The Jaguars will be without offensive tackle Cam Robinson (knee) for a while. Little is in line to take over for Robinson at left tackle, and he has a tough test against Hendrickson, who has 10.5 sacks on the season.
Who wins? The Jaguars are rolling with seven wins in their past eight games. There’s not much reason to believe the slumping, Burrow-less Bengals will be able to spring the upset on the road.
Jaguars, 28-13
Adam Stites, Jaguars Wire