Three Things to Know About Bengals Heading Into Week 4

The Cincinnati Bengals' offensive line prowess, their struggles limiting yards after catch and the red zone showdown against the Jaguars are three things to know about the Bengals heading into week 4

by Saivion Mixson

Sep 30, 2026

The Cincinnati Bengals' offensive line prowess, their struggles limiting yards after catch and the red zone showdown against the Jaguars are three things to know about the Bengals heading into week 4

Credit&colon; Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

The Jacksonville Jaguars have another huge AFC matchup ahead, as their first-place schedule continues to challenge head coach Liam Coen and company. Jacksonville is headed to the Queen City to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, October 4th at 1 pm EST. This marks the 27th meeting between the two franchises, who are locked in a dead-even 13-13 record. Jacksonville’s 35-6 beatdown of the New England Patriots gives the team momentum heading into Paycor Stadium, but three things stand out about the Bengals heading into week four.

Burrow Sits Pretty in Pocket

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass in the first quarter of the NFL Week 2 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. The Jaguars led 17-10 at halftime.

According to Next Gen Stats, the Bengals are fourth-best in the league in quarterback pressure rate at 30.1%. One main reason for their early success is second-year right tackle Amarius Mims, who hasn’t allowed a single pressure in 113 pass-rush snaps, including 47 true pass-sets, according to PFF. Jacksonville will have to figure out ways to get Travon Walker to play above his 11.6% pass-rush win rate, which ranks him 49th among 97 edge rushers. Another reason the number is so low is that Joe Burrow has the second-fastest time to throw in the NFL, only behind Jordan Love.

Time to Find Free Yardage

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) is introduced before an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Colts 36-19.

The Bengals lead the league in yards after catch allowed, giving up 464 yards. Cincinnati also has the fourth-most missed tackles with 26. This is an area the Jaguars can definitely improve upon. Jacksonville is dead last in yards after catch per completion (YAC/Comp.) with 3.2 yards; despite this, Jacksonville has one of the more dangerous passing attacks, scoring a touchdown on 8.6% of passing attempts, the 3rd-best mark in the league. With plays like this that they allowed against Darnell Washington, guys like Bhayshul Tuten and Parker Washington can get loose for free yardage against Cincinnati.

Red Zone Showdown

Sep 13, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) scores a touchdown in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium.

Melina Myers - Imagn Images

In the red zone, the Cincinnati Bengals defense ranks 2nd-best in EPA/play, only behind the Minnesota Vikings. On offense, the Jacksonville Jaguars rank 2nd-best in EPA/play, only behind the San Francisco 49ers. If Jacksonville is inside the 20-yard line, it will be a dogfight to get into the end zone. To put Cincinnati’s -0.75 EPA/rush into perspective, the last time Jacksonville had a game of -0.74 EPA/rush, it was week 13 of the 2021 season against the Los Angeles Rams. Jacksonville ran the ball for 61 yards on 24 carries (2.54 yards/carry) with three fumbles, losing two, for a total of -0.74 EPA/rush on the day.