Early-season success has not been frequent for the Cincinnati Bengals or Jacksonville Jaguars in recent years.
And yet, that’s just what both teams found in Week 1.
The winner of Sunday’s game between the two squads in Cincinnati will be 2-0 for the first time since 2018.
The Bengals (1-0) won at the Cleveland Browns 17-16 last week to claim their first season-opening victory since 2021. The Jaguars (1-0) convincingly won Liam Coen’s coaching debut over the Carolina Panthers 26-10, just the second time in the last five years they’ve won in Week 1.
Both teams’ Week 1 wins were anchored by strong defensive showings, albeit in different ways.
This was buoyed by a pair of second-half interceptions. The first by Jordan Battle set up what became the game-winning field goal while the other from D.J. Turner halted a promising two-minute drill.
“The turnover battle is so critical,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday. ” … I think that goes a long way in deciding these early-season games is the discipline aspect.”
Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, playing on a reworked deal which pays him $29 million this year, had a sack, a tackle for loss and three QB hurries in the win.
The Jaguars, on the other hand, stifled Bryce Young throughout their season opener, holding the Panthers below 200 yards of offense and without a touchdown until they had a 20-point fourth-quarter lead.
After finishing the 2024 season dead last in turnovers with nine, the Jaguars forced three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble) in Anthony Campanile’s first game as an NFL defensive coordinator. Linebacker Foye Oluokun was responsible for two of those, snagging the first interception and forcing a fumble which turned into 10 first-half points.
“(Turnovers) come in bunches, at the end of the day,” Jaguars defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot said. “The hope is that we’re able to keep allowing them to come in bunches.”
Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t get off to an effective start to his season. The 113 passing yards were his fewest in a full game since the Bengals’ 2023 opener vs. Cleveland. It was his second consecutive game with just one touchdown pass, after he had three-plus touchdowns in each of his prior eight games during the Bengals’ late 2024 surge.
Coen knows that Burrow’s Week 1 production wasn’t reflective of his ability and the dangers he presents to his defense, especially when paired with receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
“You could still see that there were some moments where you’re like, ‘Whoa, that was pretty good,'” Coen said. “It’s a huge challenge for us.”
Just a day removed from their win, the Jaguars traded third-year running back Tank Bigsby to Philadelphia in exchange for 2026 fifth and sixth-round draft picks.
Bigsby had been listed as a co-starter on the depth chart, but Travis Etienne Jr. ran for 143 yards in the Carolina win while Bigsby managed just 12 yards on five carries. The Jaguars also drafted a pair of running backs this year in fourth-rounder Bhayshul Tuten and seventh-rounder LeQuint Allen Jr.
On Wednesday’s initial injury report, Jacksonville backup offensive line Wyatt Milum (knee) did not practice while offensive tackles Anton Harrison (back) and Cole Van Lanen (shoulder) were both full participants. Backup cornerback Montaric Brown (ankle) was limited.
For Cincinnati, starting right tackle Amarius Mims (ankle) was a limited participant while long snapper William Wagner (hamstring) was a full participant.
