Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals got a harsh reminder of how self-inflicted mistakes can spoil an otherwise dominant performance. The Bengals converted on fourth downs at will and protected Burrow all afternoon in the Week 3 loss to the Steelers, only to give it away on a blown coverage and a muffed punt.
The Bengals return to Paycor Stadium looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season. Cincinnati is 2-1 after losing 30-27 to the Steelers. The Jaguars are also 2-1 after a 35-6 win over the New England Patriots.
The game kicks off Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen spent the week talking about the challenge of stopping Burrow, but both teams also have key personnel questions to deal with in this AFC matchup.
Joe Burrow Has Been Excellent Under Pressure
Burrow enters Week 4 with a 70.9% completion rate, 743 passing yards, six touchdowns and one interception. He completed his first 14 passes against Pittsburgh and finished 28 of 37 for 282 yards and three touchdowns despite facing pressure throughout the game.
“The challenging throws, under duress, under pressure, with somebody bearing down on him, and the ball just lands in the spots,” Coen said Wednesday. “He can put the ball wherever he wants.”
Burrow’s ability to stay calm under pressure can hide some of Cincinnati’s issues in pass protection. He is also quick at reading safety rotations, which makes sending extra rushers against him risky. If Jacksonville blitzes instead of relying on its four-man rush, Burrow can find open areas in the middle of the field before the pressure gets to him.
Amarius Mims has not Allowed a Pressure
Bengals right tackle Amarius Mims has not allowed a sack, hit or hurry through three games. He has played 111 pass-blocking snaps without giving up a quarterback pressure.
Mims faces his toughest test yet against Jacksonville’s edge rushers, Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. Cincinnati’s offensive line played well in Pittsburgh until Derrick Harmon strip-sacked Burrow on the final drive.
Mims has given Dan Pitcher more flexibility with pass protection. With him handling his matchup on the front side, Cincinnati can send more help toward the blind side. If Mims can handle Hines-Allen without help from a tight end, the Bengals can use five-man protection and send more receivers downfield for Burrow.
Injuries Have Thinned the Bengals’ Receiver Room
Cincinnati will be without Andrei Iosivas, who was placed on injured reserve with a thumb ligament tear. Rookie receiver Colbie Young is also out with a knee injury suffered in Week 3.
The Bengals waived Ke’Shawn Williams and signed Mitchell Tinsley from the Houston Texans’ practice squad earlier this week. They also promoted tight end Tanner Hudson.
Cincinnati’s thin receiver depth could lead to more 12- and 13-personnel packages with Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, and Tanner Hudson. Jacksonville can keep both safeties deep to limit deep passes to Chase and Higgins, while the Bengals can counter by using tight ends to attack the middle of the field.
Bengals Have Questions in the Secondary
Cincinnati gave up 292 passing yards and three touchdowns to Aaron Rodgers last week. Several big plays came from coverage mistakes. Starting safety Bryan Cook left with a right ankle injury and remains day-to-day. Kyle Dugger also suffered a lower-leg injury on special teams in the fourth quarter.
With slot cornerback Jalen Davis on injured reserve, Zac Taylor said Jordan Battle will handle the primary communication role if Cook and Dugger cannot play. Defensive coordinator Al Golden cannot afford to use overly complex coverage schemes with a banged-up safety group.
Dexter Lawrence Leads a Strong Interior Front
Cincinnati’s interior defensive line has been firing on all cylinders through the first three games. Dexter Lawrence II added two sacks against Pittsburgh, while the Bengals have recorded 10 sacks this season.
Cincinnati has also allowed just 95.7 rushing yards per game. The Bengals will need that front to pressure Trevor Lawrence and force Jacksonville into third-and-long situations.
Trevor Lawrence is at his best when Jacksonville can stay in rhythm with play-action and a clean pocket. Dexter Lawrence can disrupt that by collapsing the middle of the pocket and forcing Lawrence to move backward or throw off his back foot.
