CINCINNATI,OH-Riding high from Week 1 wins, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals faced off in a Week 2 matchup. This game had huge impacts on the potential AFC playoff picture as 61% teams who start 2-0 make the playoffs.
The Jaguars started the game with an opening drive touchdown that featured quarterback Trevor Lawrence picking apart the Bengal defense before finding Dyami Brown in the end zone for a touchdown.
A quick stop for the Jaguars’ defense put the team in excellent position to take a two-possession lead early. After marching down the field, Lawrence was hit as he threw to two-way player Travis Hunter and was picked off in the end zone.
Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow and company responded quickly as Burrow connected with star Ja’Marr Chase for a touchdown to close the first quarter. Chase enjoyed a monster day following a disappointing Week 1. He caught 14 passes for 165 yards and a tocuhdown as the Jacksonville defense had no answer for him all day.
The Jaguars responded quickly taking another touchdown lead as Lawrence found rookie Bhayshul Tuten on a screen pass where he made a man miss and walked into the end zone to make the score 14-7.
The next possession, Arik Armstead got in the backfield and sacked quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow was injured on the play and was unable to return, he is expected to miss three months with turf toe.
Later that quarter, Brian Thomas Jr. bailed on a route that led to Lawrence’s second interception of the day and set the Bengals up with excellent field position. The Jaguar defense was able to hold the Bengals to a field goal, which they quickly answered back and it was 17-10 Jaguars at half.
Quarterback Jake Browning came out in the start of the second half and marched the Bengals down the field before finding Mitchell Tinsley in the end zone for a game-tying touchdown. The Jaguars eventually answered back as Lawrence found Travis Etienne on a screen pass for a touchdown.
Right before the third quarter ended, Tee Higgins caught a 42-yard touchdown from Browning to even the game at 24 going into the 4th quarter. A Cam Little field goal gave the Jaguars a 27-24 lead, and a Devin Lloyd interception with five minutes remaining figured to end the game.
The Jaguars took over at the 25-yard line, but three consecutive drops stalled the drive. Thomas and Brown both dropped touchdown passes on good balls from Lawrence, and on 4th and 5 from the 7-yard line Thomas dropped another pass that would’ve been good enough for a first down.
On the final drive, a questionable 4th down pass interference on Travis Hunter extended the drive and Browning scored a touchdown with twelve seconds left to end the game.
The Jaguars will host the division-rival Houston Texans next week as they look to get back on track with a big division win. The Bengals will travel to Minnesota to take on a 1-1 Vikings team.
