A big challenge awaits the Jacksonville Jaguars' offensive line unit this week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals enter this game with one of the more disruptive defensive fronts in football, ranking seventh in quarterback pressure rate through three games.
Defensive end Boye Mafe has logged 14 pressures, while teammate Cashius Howell has recorded 11 -- both rank in the top 15 among all defensive ends in that category, per PFF.
Inside, Dexter Lawrence has 12 pressures this season, and Jonathan Allen has nine, with the duo ranking in the top 13 among tackles in pressures. As Liam Coen detailed on Wednesday, a lot of the Bengals' success up front begins with Lawrence's play in the middle.
When it comes to the Jaguars' offensive line unit,
it's been a mixed bag in pass protection. Against Denver, the passing game struggled to get going with Trevor Lawrence under steady pressure. However, this past Sunday against New England, with time in the pocket, Lawrence and the passing game were much more efficient.
When kept clean this season, Lawrence is completing almost 70% of his passes at 7.5 yards per attempt. When under duress, his completion rate drops to 45%.
As we know, the name of the game for every offensive line unit is keeping the quarterback upright. The Jaguars' linemen will face a difficult test this week, and their ability to hold up against the Bengals' front will go a long way in determining how this game unfolds for Jacksonville.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Bengals will put Jaguars' offensive position group to test in Week 4
