Welcome to Big Cat Country’s staff roundtable!
Today, we’re previewing Week 2’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
What is your biggest takeaway from the Tank Bigsby trade?
Dillon Appleman: This coaching staff values versatility at the running back position above all else. If you can’t consistently run, catch, and pass protect, then you’re expendable. Rookies Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. have clearly proven to Coen and company that they’re
willing to do it all behind Travis Etienne.
Travis Holmes: The future starts today? With the trade of Bigsby to the Eagles, the Jaguars continue to make moves based on their scheme, their vision for the offense, and their evolving culture. While many this offseason thought there may be a possibility of Travis Etienne being the running back to be traded, primarily due to contract reasons, Bigsby always made some sense due to his struggles with pass protection and catching the ball in this Liam Coen offense that mandates versatility. With Bhayshul Tuten ramping up, LeQuint Allen in the wings, and a team willing to surrender two Day 3 draft picks, James Gladstone continues to retool with an eye on the 2026 draft. I also have a sneaking suspicion that this season won’t end without one of those fifth or sixth-round picks being traded for a promising veteran player by the November 4th trade deadline. Time will tell.
Gus Logue: Bhayshul Tuten is the Jaguars’ running back of the future. For now, Travis Etienne is the best and most experienced player in the backfield, so he will get the lion’s share of running back touches so long as he stays upright. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Jacksonville runs the fifth-year back into the ground before letting him walk in free agency. That would clear the runway for Tuten to take off in 2026.
Henry Zimmer: I think the Jags got a good return on the Tank Bigsby trade. Two picks, with the potential for one of them being a fourth, is a great deal for a backup running back. One of these running backs wasn’t going to make it through the year on the Jags, so better to get rid of him now and give him a chance elsewhere while also making up some losses.
What’s a matchup that you’re looking forward to watching this week?
Dillon: The thought of Travis Hunter getting some corner reps against Ja’Marr Chase is too fun a scenario not to highlight here. I’m not sure how many times we’ll actually see it, but seeing it at all should be one of those lean forward in your seats moments for fans.
Travis: This seems like one of those matchups where Arik Armstead (and hopefully Maason Smith) can dominate inside. With Jacksonville initially struggling against Carolina’s run game, it will be imperative for them not to allow Cincinnati to produce a balanced attack. Fortunately for the Jaguars, Bengals starting right guard Lucas Patrick was placed on IR on Tuesday. Due to that injury, Dalton Risner — who was just signed in late August — is projected to start on Sunday after finishing last week’s matchup in Patrick’s absence. While PFF graded Risner out at a very good 80.5 on pass blocking, his 36.4 run blocking grade ranked near the worst in the league at 74th out of 78 qualifying guards. That’s good news for Armstead and the Jaguars’ linebacker core.
Gus: Anthony Campanile against Joe Burrow. The former passed his first test with flying colors — Bryce Young completed 51.5% of passes for 4.4 yards per attempt and a 49.0 passer rating in Week 1 — but Burrow is a different beast. He’s in the class of quarterbacks that you do not want to blitz against. Campanile will have to find ways to pressure the pocket without sending extra bodies, or else Burrow will make them pay.
Henry: Obviously, the Bengals have great receivers. But can this Jags defense stop them? The Browns absolutely stymied the passing attack from Joe Burrow and company, so let’s see if the Jags can replicate that. As the Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase connection goes, so often do the Bengals as a whole.
Who will be the biggest X-factor on Sunday?
Dillon: After a quiet game in Week 1, Ja’Marr Chase is likely to be peppered with targets in front of the home crowd in Cincinnati. Tyson Campbell and Jarrian Jones (and hopefully a little Travis Hunter) could be in for a busy afternoon.
Travis: Jarrian Jones. While Travis Hunter will have an uptick in defensive snaps, I expect Jones to continue to draw the third-most snaps of the cornerback group and to get multiple opportunities in coverage against Tee Higgins. While his Week 1 performance is primarily remembered for the 26-yard pass interference penalty against 6’5” Tetairoa McMillan, I expect a bounce-back game as the second-year defensive back matches up against another big-body receiver in Higgins (6’4”). Jones and Higgins are physical at the line of scrimmage and have a history of playing the ball well in the air. This will be the red zone and third down matchup to watch in my book, even more than Tyson Campbell and Jourdan Lewis against Ja’Marr Chase.
Gus: Brian Thomas Jr. has to get going. He was able to find the endzone in Week 1 on a well-blocked end-around, but he caught just 1 of 7 targets from Trevor Lawrence. As cool as it was to see the Jaguars win by double digits without needing those two to ball out, Thomas and Lawrence must improve their chemistry if they’re going to win games against better opponents.
Henry: The X-Factor this week must be Burrow. He is known for getting his Bengals teams off to slow starts and last week was an indication of that. He shredded the Jags the last time the teams faced off, but this is an entirely new defense. If the Jags can keep him contained like they did with Bryce Young (wishful thinking), and like how the Browns did to Burrow last week, Jacksonville could start 2-0 under this new regime.
Final score prediction?
Dillon: Jaguars 26, Bengals 31
Travis: Jaguars 31, Bengals 23
Gus: Jaguars 27, Bengals 23
Henry: Jaguars 24, Bengals 31
What are your Week 2 predictions, Jaguars fans? Let us know in the comments!
