The Jacksonville Jaguars head into Cincinnati to play the Bengals as 3.5-point underdogs, but feeling good after a solid showing in Week 1.
The Jaguars cruised past Carolina 26-10, while the Bengals survived a missed field goal attempt at the end of the game to beat the Browns 17-16.
It’s unlikely Joe Burrow will be held under 115 yards passing again this week, but the Jaguars’ revamped defense looks like it could be up to the task.
Six of our seven experts opened the season with a win. How will they see this one? Let’s find out…
DEMETRIUS HARVEY
Jaguars beat writer
Bengals 31, Jaguars 24
I had to pause and think a bit this week, moreso than last. I didn’t believe the Bengals would start the season slowly, again, but here we are. Still, I think the Jaguars are just a bit more inexperienced and could struggle to stay with the big cats from up north.
Season: 1-0
MIKE DiROCCO
ESPN
Jaguars 21, Bengals 20
I picked the Jaguars to win this game when the schedule was released in the spring because the Bengals have really struggled in September. That continues against the Jaguars, who get another strong game from Travis Etienne Jr.
Season: 1-0
Ryan O’Halloran
Times-Union Sports columnist
Bengals 24, Jaguars 21
The first prediction is a lock: Jaguars coach Liam Coen will be aboard the team’s charter flight back to Jacksonville on Sunday night unlike coach Urban Meyer after the franchise’s most recent trip to Cincinnati in September 2021. Ol’ Urb took a long weekend following the Thursday night game and well, you know the rest.
The second prediction: The Cincinnati offense will bounce back.
Buffalo’s Josh Allen will always be in a separate “Favorite Quarterback To Watch Play Football,” category for me, but leading the next wave is Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow. Blitz him, he’ll slice up a defense. Rush four and he gets protection, ditto.
Burrow has to be seething over the Bengals gaining a measly 141 yards offense in last week’s win at Cleveland. The Bengals’ yardage total was the 12th-lowest for a winning team in the last 25 years (and second-lowest in Cincinnati history). They had minus-18 yards in the fourth quarter, but won because Cleveland handed it over with one missed field goal and extra point apiece.
Expect Cincinnati to play with urgency because it knows what is ahead: At Minnesota, at Denver, vs. Detroit, at Green Bay and vs. Pittsburgh. Hooboy.
The Jaguars will have a good blocking plan for Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, but Burrow will throw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase.
Season: 1-0
GARRY SMITS
Times-Union Sports reporter
Bengals 27, Jaguars 23
The Jaguars haven’t won in Cincinnati since 2019 and have lost four of their last five. I’ve got to think the Bengals will iron out their passing game issues from opening week and Joe Burrow (50 of 67 for 648 yards and a 113.28 passer rating in two games vs. the Jags) and Ja’Marr Chase (17 receptions for 226 yards, 13.3 yards per catch) will have big games against a Jaguar defense that played well against Carolina but now has to prove it against a playoff contenders.
Season: 1-0
JUSTON LEWIS
Times-Union Sports reporter
Jaguars 34, Bengals 28
The Bengals got out of the gate slowly last week. I think they’ll bounce back this week, but Liam Coen showed his offense has the potential to put points on the board. Look for a better week for Brian Thomas Jr. against the Bengals’ secondary.
Season: 1-0
CLAYTON FREEMAN
Times-Union Sports reporter
Bengals 26, Jaguars 23
Cincinnati shapes up as a tougher opponent than Carolina and Joe Burrow has thrown for 300 yards in both of his prior meetings against Jacksonville. The Jags have a chance here, but feels like a slight edge for the Bengals to make their first 2-0 start since… checks notes… 2018.
Season: 1-0
TIM WALTERS
Times-Union Sports Editor
Bengals 32, Jaguars 20
The Bengals’ defense gave up 290 passing yards to Joe Flacco, but seized two interceptions. They also held the Browns’ run game to just 49 rushing yards. I think the Bengals’ defense has enough to slow the Jags, while Joe Burrow will break out for a big game.
Season: 0-1
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars at Bengals Week 2 predictions: Can Jacksonville’s defense slow Joe Burrow?
Reporting by Tim Walters, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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