Up next for the Jacksonville Jaguars is a Week 4 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Both teams will enter this game at 2-1 on the season.
For a closer look at the Jaguars' upcoming opponent, here are three things to know about the Bengals, along with a prediction.
A disruptive Bengals' pass rush
The Bengals enter this game with one of the more disruptive defensive fronts in football, ranking seventh in quarterback pressure rate. Defensive ends Boye Mafe and Cashius Howell both rank in the top 15 among defensive ends in pressures. At defensive tackle, Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen each rank in the top 13 in QB pressures among their position group.
A big test awaits the Jaguars' offensive line unit on Sunday.
Opportunity in the run game for the Jaguars?
Against the run, the Bengals are allowing 4.7 yards per carry on
the season, which ranks 26th in the NFL. According to NFL.com, the Bengals have surrendered the sixth-highest explosive run rate and the second-most rushes over expected.
When it comes to keeping that disruptive pass rush at bay, the Jaguars' ability to find success on the ground will be vital.
A dynamic duo at wide receiver
Of course, at wide receiver for the Bengals are Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins -- a top duo in the NFL. Chase has eclipsed the 1,200-yard receiving mark every season he's been in the NFL. This includes surpassing 1,700 yards twice. Last season against Jacksonville, Chase went for 165 yards and a touchdown in Week 2.
Higgins, meanwhile, has been a big-play threat and a reliable target as well. He's surpassed 800 receiving yards in five of his six NFL seasons. He's already at 244 receiving yards -- at 17.4 yards per catch -- this season.
Surrendering explosive plays through the air has been a problem for the Jaguars' defense through three games.
Jaguars vs. Bengals prediction
According to ESPN'sFootball Power Index model, the Jaguars have a 55% win probability in this game, winning on average by 1.1 points.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 3 things to know about Jaguars vs. Bengals matchup, plus a prediction
