The Jacksonville Jaguars head to Paycor Stadium to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. Fresh off a win last Sunday, here are three matchups to look out for in Week 2:
Arik Armstead vs Dalton Risner
What a start for new Jaguars’ DC Anthony Campanile last weekend! The Jags’ defense suffocated a Panthers offense that had become dangerous under the leadership of Dave Canales towards the end of 2024, leaning on Chuba Hubbard and the run game to give Bryce Young time to operate
from the pocket. Well, Young looked like the version that got benched last year last weekend as Jacksonville stuffed the run and forced Carolina into too many obvious passing situations. Interestingly, Campanile didn’t bring the heat like you would expect; Young faced the blitz on just over 20% of all dropbacks on Sunday and that only increased to 28% when looking at general pressure. Perhaps this was a designed idea to let the secondary blanket cover Young’s weapons & force him into mistakes. Against Joe Burrow this weekend, the plan may need to change…
I expect a much more aggressive attitude from the defensive line on Sunday. Burrow is one of the most lethal quarterbacks from the pocket, and whilst he’s adept at avoiding pressure you do need him off script to get him out of rhythm. Arik Armstead, who was likely played out of position somewhat during his early tenure with the Jaguars, looked much more comfortable back at defensive tackle in a four-man front. Campanile obviously values his presence on the field too; Armstead had the most snaps of any Jags d-lineman against the Panthers (49). This is a tackle that knows how to get interior pressure, with 71 QB hits and 22.5 sacks his last seven years with the 49ers. Hopefully Campanile loosens the leash.
With Bengals lineman Lucas Patrick headed to injured reserve (hamstring), new addition Dalton Risner is expected to continue at right guard. You might think his unfamiliarity with Cincinnati’s scheme would be an advantage for the Jags, but Risner was impeccable in his debut last weekend. PFF graded him out at 80.5 on pass blocking – only once did a Bengals lineman achieve that all of last season. On top of that, Risner only allowed one pressure across 24 pass blocking snaps. Considering he’s only been in the building ten days, that’s impressive. Armstead vs Risner is a trench matchup that could dictate the course of this game.
Travis Etienne vs Logan Wilson
Even with Carolina’s sketchy run defense in 2024, not many would have anticipated Travis Etienne’s big day on Sunday. 143 yards from just 16 carries was the biggest difference maker in a contest where the Jags outmatched their opponents in multiple areas. For years we’ve been begging for a run game that allows Trevor Lawrence to maximize his potential; if Etienne is able to keep this up, then the franchise quarterback has everything he needs to be the guy we all thought he was coming out of Clemson 4 years ago.
It’s probably not a coincidence that Etienne’s performance was followed up with the team trading Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles. Bigsby and Etienne were listed as 1A & 1B on the depth chart. Whilst there is obvious confidence in Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen picking up bigger roles if needed, Etienne is the clear workhorse in the backfield now – the Jags would never have made this move unless they had total confidence in him to be a leading running back in the NFL this year.
Etienne will go up against one of the most consistent run-stuffing linebackers in the league on Sunday. Logan Wilson has been a ball carriers’ worst nightmare since he was drafted out of Wyoming in 2019, with 495 career tackles in six years. If Etienne was offered the freedom of EverBank Stadium by the Panthers in Week 1, it should be a whole different story as the Jaguars are welcomed to the Jungle in Week 2.
Jourdan Lewis vs Noah Fant
Back to the Jags’ defense now, and another standout from last weekend was Jourdan Lewis, who thrived as the nickel corner in a very frisky Jaguars secondary against the Panthers. Lewis pretty much erased Hunter Renfrow operating out of the slot, restricting the tricky receiver to just 11 yards from two catches. He had five tackles and also recorded his first turnover in black and teal to ice the game, sneaking up to anticipate a short pass to the ball carrier and reacting superbly to the tipped ball. Lewis looks like an excellent free agency addition to Jacksonville’s defense, and will want to follow up a good start with another strong performance in Week 2.
Andrei Iosivas is typically the in-line receiver in the Bengals offense. But the trade for Noah Fant this season means we’re going to see a lot more 12 personnel from the Bengals in 2025 – a throwback to offenses from the early years under Zac Taylor. I expect Drew Sample to operate shallow routes and be leaned on in the run game, with Fant doing what he does best – challenging defenses down the seam. He did just that on Sunday, helping Cincy get by the Browns with 26 yards and a touchdown in his first game.
That brings Fant into Jourdan Lewis’ territory. The linebackers won’t be able to carry this tight end’s athleticism deep, so expect Lewis to pick up the role of covering him beyond ten yards from the line of scrimmage. Two veterans who have seen it all and have the numbers to prove it should make for a cracking matchup on Sunday.
