Bengals at Jaguars: Five Pressing Questions Ahead of Monday Night Football
The Bengals are 5-6 on the season and have lost 3-straight games ahead of Monday night’s matchup with the Jaguars. It’s a must-win if the Bengals want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
To preview this week’s big game, we spoke with John Shipley of Jaguar Report to get their insight on the 8-3 Jaguars.
1) What is the biggest strength of the Jaguars offense?
Shipley: Right now, it’s the passing game. Trevor Lawrence has scored six touchdowns over the last two weeks, with Lawrence finding massive success with his arms and his legs. Since Lawrence’s knee injury from Week 6 has faded away, he has been able to be utilized outside the pocket on play-action and roll-out concepts, allowing him to test defenses vertically at a higher rate than any other point in the season.
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The Jaguars’ rushing attack has been one of the least efficient in the league since head coach Doug Pederson took over, which has forced the Jaguars to put most of the offense on Lawrence’s shoulders. In recent weeks, he hasn’t disappointed.
2) What should Bengals fans know about Jacksonville’s defense?
Shipley: It is going to come after Jake Browning. The Jaguars’ entire defensive philosophy is to play with big bodies on first and second-down, looking to take away the running game on early downs to force offenses into long down-and-distances on third-down. Then, defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell will dial up the exotic blitzes and pass-rush packages. The Jaguars will send linebackers, defensive backs, run stunts up front, and do everything they can to force offenses to play with one hand tied behind their back.
