Jaguars at Bengals predictions: Slowing Burrow, Chase a chore

Do the Jacksonville Jaguars have a better chance to beat the Cincinnati Bengals with or without Joe Burrow?

Seems like a silly question.

However, the last two times the Jaguars have played the Bengals, Burrow was out injured, and his backup, Jake Browning, torched the Jaguars.

Of course, Ja'Marr Chase had a lot to do with it.

In 2025, Burrow exited the game early with an injury and Browning stepped in to throw for 241 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions en route to a 31-27 win. Chase had 165 receiving yards and a touchdown.

In 2023, on Monday Night Football, Burrow didn't play at all, and Browning threw for 354 yards and a touchdown to lead the Bengals to a 34-31 overtime win. Chase had 149 receiving yards and a touchdown.

For the 2026 edition

of Jaguars-Bengals, Burrow will most certainly be playing, but if he were to be injured, Browning wouldn't be their to spell him. However, the Bengals have another Joe that could certainly prove a worthy backup — Joe Flacco.

The real question is, can the Jaguars slow Chase, who has 391 yards receiving in three career games against the Jaguars?

Let's see what out Times-Union experts think. They were 7-0 last week and are collectively 14-7 this season.

DEMETRIUS HARVEY

Jaguars beat writer

Jaguars 34, Bengals 30

This is the next big test for Jacksonville's secondary and its interior offensive line. Can they stop Ja'Marr Chase? Can they slow down Dexter Lawrence? I think they squeak it out.

Season record: 2-1 (Won last week)

MIKE DiROCCO

ESPN

Bengals 31, Jaguars 28

Expecting a shootout in Cincinnati. Late TD pass from Joe Burrow to Ja'Marr Chase is the difference.

Season record: 2-1 (Won last week)

RYAN O'HALLORAN

Times-Union Sports columnist

Jaguars 35, Bengals 27

Take a look at the Bengals’ secondary: Their top two nickel corners (Jalen Davis and Ja’Sir Taylor) are on injured reserve, meaning Dax Hill will have to move inside in sub-package situations and be replaced outside by third-year man DJ Ivey. And their top three safeties (Kyle Dugger, Bryan Cook and Jordan Battle) are hurt; Dugger and Cook didn’t practice on Sept. 30-Oct. 1 and Battle was limited.

Uh-oh if you’re Cincinnati … and oh, yeah if you’re the Jaguars.

The Bengals have 10 sacks so they are formidable up front, but they have only one interception in three games and are 28th in passing yards allowed per game (260.0). There will be opportunities for the Jaguars to make explosive plays (gain of at least 16 yards) in the passing game after only three such gains against New England.

The Jaguars should began the game by emphasizing three-receiver personnel to test the Bengals’ fill-in and/or playing-while-injured players in the secondary. Plus, against Joe Burrow, 30 points should be the floor for the Jaguars.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence throws four touchdowns to move the Jaguars to 3-1.

Season record: 2-1 (Won last week)

GARRY SMITS

Times-Union Sports reporter

Bengals 33, Jaguars 31

Until the Jags find a way to contain Ja'Marr Chase, it might be another long day on the banks of the Ohio River. (Gratuitous city trolling, courtesy of the late, great Jim Murray: Why is Cincinnati's airport actually in Kentucky? Because it was Kentucky's turn to use the cement mixer).

Season record: 2-1 (Won last week)

JUSTON LEWIS

Times-Union Sports reporter

Jaguars 31, Bengals 24

Dexter Lawrence and Ja'Marr Chase might provide some issues (putting it lightly) but the Jaguars should be able to reverse their fortune from last season.

Season record: 2-1 (Won last week)

CLAYTON FREEMAN

Times-Union Sports reporter

Jaguars 34, Bengals 31

A not-so-fun fact for Cincinnati: The Bengals allowed 411 yards last week, including 292 to 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers. It never seems to go smoothly against the Bengals, but if Trevor Lawrence and the offense keep up the rhythm from last week against New England, the Jaguars have a solid chance to down one of their most frustrating opponents.

Season record: 2-1 (Won last week)

TIM WALTERS

Times-Union Sports Editor

Jaguars 27, Bengals 24

The Bengals' defense came back down to Earth against the Steelers and gave the Jaguars a blueprint for how to beat them. The Jaguars can match the Bengals on offense and have a better defense. That adds up to a big road victory for a team that fancies itself a Super Bowl contender.

Season record: 2-1 (Won last week)

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars at Bengals predictions: Slowing Burrow, Chase a chore