MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WEEK 13: CINCINNATI BENGALS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

BY ADAM GREENE

Regular readers might expect me to complain about this game being featured on Monday Night Football, but I’m not going to. Sure, they could have flexed out of it, but the Jacksonville Jaguars deserve the stage this season as one of the league’s best teams. As for the Cincinnati Bengals, who will be making the trip to Florida for the contest, no one knew exactly how Jake Browning would look after being OK in his debut coming out of the bullpen. Plus, at the time and in the two-week window, we weren’t sure Joe Burrow would be out for the season. So, we get this one and we should all be Ok with it.

This is the 25^th meeting all time between the Jags and Bengals. From Jacksonville’s entrance into the league in 1995 through 2001, they were both members of the now defunct AFC Central. As such, they played twice a year over that span and it did not work out well for Cincinnati. Jacksonville holds a 13-11 advantage in the series, but lost their last two meetings, including a 24-21 decision back on Sep. 30, 2021.

In the win, Joe Burrow (now out for the season) was 25 of 32 passing for 348 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Joe Mixon Rushed for 67 yards and a TD. Tyler Boyd caught nine passes for 118 yards.

Trevor Lawrence was 17 of 24 passing for 204 yards, no touchdowns and no picks in the loss. James Robinson (now with the New York Giants) carried the ball 18 times for 78 yards and two scores. Laviska Shenault (now with the Carolina Panthers) caught six passes for 99 yards.

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (-8.5, O/U: 39)

Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.

Broadcast: ABC/ESPN

Kickoff: Dec. 4, 8:15 p.m.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-6)

The Bengals were the first victims of the Matt Canada-less Pittsburgh Steelers, losing 16-10 last week. Jake Browning, in his first start, wasn’t statistically awful, just ineffective, going 19 of 26 passing for 227 yards, one touchdown and one pick. He was sacked four times. Ja’Marr Chase caught four passes for 81 yards and Cincinnati was held to a total of 25 yards on the ground. The defense sacked Kenny Pickett twice and forced a fumble.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-3)

Jacksonville outlasted the Houston Texans, 24-21, in one of the best games of the week last Sunday. Trevor Lawrence was 23 of 38 passing for 364 yards, one touchdown and an interception in the win. Travis Etienne, Jr. rushed 20 times for 56 yards and caught four passes for 30 yards. Calvin Ridley hauled in five receptions for 89 yards. Christian Kirk caught four balls for 89 yards. The defense held Houston to 91 total yards on the ground and sacked CJ Stroud four times.

THE PICK

Cincy would have had its hands full in this game with a healthy Joe Burrow. With him sidelined after wrist surgery, I’m not sure this one will be competitive in the fourth quarter. Buy, hey, most of America. Take a good look at your Jaguars. They’re a fun team to watch. Jaguars 31, Bengals 13

Last week

Straight up: 11-5

Against the spread: 11-5

Season

Straight up: 96-56

Against the spread: 86-66

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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