After a spectacular performance at home against the New England Patriots, the Jacksonville Jaguars are back on the road in Cincinnati this week. The former AFC Central Division rivals have played each other 26 times, and the series is currently tied. Jimmy Smith said the Jags are going to beat the Bengals’ asses, so let’s look back at the Jaguars doing exactly that on the Bengals’ home turf through the decades.
The 1990’s
Week 8 on October 31, 1999 Final score: Jaguars 41 – Bengals 10 Attendance: 49,138
I figured an October win would be the best way to start this. During 30:01 of possession, the Jaguars recorded 23 first downs and 377 total net yards. Defensive dominance led to touchdowns from Fred Taylor, Keenan McCardell, Jimmy Smith, and two field goals from Mike Hollis, being the only points scored during the first half. After a Bengals field goal, Jimmy Stewart ran for two touchdowns in the second half. The Bengals scored their first and only touchdown during the fourth quarter. Mark Brunell completed 11 out of 19 attempted passes for 145 yards and was sacked once for a loss of ten yards. Taylor led the team with 128 rushing yards, and Smith led with 89 receiving yards. Aaron Beasley and Donovin Darius both had interceptions. Tony Brackens, Kevin Hardy, Aaron Beasley, Carnell Lake, and Joel Smeenge registered four sacks on Akili Smith for a loss of 21 yards.
The 2000’s
Week 15 on December 15, 2002
Final score: Jaguars 29 – Bengals 15
Attendance: 42,092
The numbers were more closely aligned with this one. Jacksonville had 20 first downs, 321 total net yards, and a 30:01 time of possession, compared to Cincinati’s 19 first downs, 300 total net yards, and 29:59 time of possession. Kevin Lockett, Pete Mitchell, Jimmy Smith, and Stacey Mack scored touchdowns. Mark Brunell completed 19 out of 28 attempted passes for 223 yards and was sacked three times for a loss of 11 yards. Fred Taylor led the team with 71 rushing yards, and Smith led with 98 receiving yards. Jason Craft picked off Jon Kitna. John Henderson, Marcus Stroud, Paul Spicer, and Marco Coleman recorded three sacks on Kitna for a loss of 23 yards. T.J. Slaughter, Wali Rainer, and Donovin Darius led the team with six combined tackles each.
The 2010’s
Week 7 on October 20, 2019
Final score: Jaguars 27 – Bengals 17
Attendance: 42,784
Josh Lambo’s field goals kept the Jags in the game scoring-wise until the fourth quarter, when Gardner Minshew connected with Keelan Cole for a touchdown, and Yannick Ngakoue returned an interception for a 23-yard touchdown, sealing the win for Jacksonville. Lambo contributed 13 of the points scored. Minshew completed 15 out of 32 attempted passes and was sacked twice for a loss of 11 yards. Leonard Fournette led the team with 131 rushing yards, and Dede Westbrook led with 103 passing yards. In addition to Ngakoue’s interception, Ronnie Harrison had a 35-yard interception, and Myles Jack had a 14-yard interception. Josh Hines-Allen and Abry Jones sacked Andy Dalton twice for a loss of 18 yards.
The 2020’s
I have a good feeling that this is the year.
Series Results
Players who have played for JAX and CIN
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