Bengals Looking to Start Strong Against Jaguars in Home Opener
The Cincinnati Bengals are back at Paycor Stadium for their home opener on September 14th against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both teams are coming into week 2 at 1-0, with the Bengals having a slim 3.5-point edge, per BetMGM Sportsbook.
Cincinnati came out on top against the Cleveland Browns in week 1, but it wasn’t pretty. The offense fell flat, as Joe Burrow struggled to find rhythm, finishing with just 113 passing yards. The slow start theme came to light, but fortunately for us fans, an ugly win is still a win. The Bengals know they can’t afford to play from behind every week, especially against a Jaguars team on the rise led by Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne.
Jacksonville looked sharp in its 26-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. Travis Etienne had quite the game with 143 yards on just 16 carries, and Lawrence found his targets throughout the game. In Week 1, the Jaguars' offense appeared to be versatile and have dangerous qualities, but their defense is questionable after ranking 26th against the pass last season, according to Pro Football Reference.
Keys to the Game
1. Burrow vs. the Jaguars Secondary
Burrow wasn’t himself in Week 1, but despite signs of struggle, Jacksonville’s secondary gives him a chance to bounce back. They allowed 270.88 passing yards per game in 2024 and still show vulnerability. If Burrow utilizes his elite receivers in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins early, the Bengals can set the tempo of the game.
2. Containing Travis Etienne
Travis Etienne averaged 9 yards per carry in last week's game, showing how dangerous he is every time he touches the ball. With Cincinnati’s defense giving up numerous explosive plays last season, stopping him is crucial for success. If the Bengals keep Etienne under wraps, the Jags’ offense becomes much more manageable.
3. Start Fast
The Bengals are notorious for having slow Septembers. In fact, they are only 3-6 against the spread in their last 9 week 2 games (StatMuse). The Bengals need to flip the script in their home opener at Paycor. An early touchdown or two will energize the crowd and put the Jags on their heels.
Prediction
The Bengals and Jaguars have played some thrillers over the years, which brings the feel of another nail-biter. Evan McPherson has been the person to turn to in the past, so don’t be shocked if it comes down to him again.
Joe Burrow has shown he excels under pressure. With Chase, Higgins, and the home crowd behind him, Burrow should find his rhythm and do just enough to get past Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars.
Cincinnati improves to 2-0, showing they can start fast in September.
Bengals 24, Jaguars 21