NFL Week 13 comes to a close as two AFC teams head to the Sunshine State. The Cincinnati Bengals are visiting as they make the trip to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Monday Night Football.
Cincinnati comes in off a 16-10 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. Jacksonville, meanwhile, hung on for a 24-21 road win over the Houston Texans in an AFC South battle earlier Sunday.
Bengals look to bounce back
Cincinnati lost its third straight game as they were defeated at home by Pittsburgh in their previous game. The Bengals dropped to 5-6 on the season and find themselves in the basement of the AFC North: they rank 11th in the AFC playoff picture.
Against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati saw the game scoreless after the first quarter, led 7-3 at halftime and was behind 10-7 after three quarters.
The Bengals trailed 16-7 in the fourth period and pulled within 16-10 with 2:04 to play, but failed to recover the ensuing short kick attempt, allowing Pittsburgh to run out the clock.
Cincinnati was outgained in total yards 421-222, gave up 22 first downs while gaining 10 and lost time of possession by a 37-17 margin with 22:43 left in the game. Both teams turned the ball over once in the game.
On the year, the Bengals rank 19th in the league in rushing offense with 215.9 yards per game, while they are 32nd in rushing with 75.8 yards per game.
Cincinnati ranks 23rd in the league in scoring offense at 19.3 points per game, while they are 19th in scoring defense by allowing an average of 22 points per game.
Joe Burrow has completed 244 of 365 passes for 2,309 yards with 15 touchdowns against six interceptions, while adding 88 yards on the ground.
Joe Mixon leads the team in the ground game with 161 carries for 621 yards and four touchdowns. He has carried the heavy load, as next on the list is Trayveon Williams, who has 12 carries for 59 yards on the season.
In the air game, Ja'Marr Chase leads the team with 75 receptions for 914 yards and six touchdowns. Tyler Boyd is second on the team with 50 receptions for 462 yards and two touchdowns. Tee Higgins, with 27 receptions, 328 yards and two touchdowns, is also a solid secondary option.
White Bengal under the lights > #CINatJAX | 8:15PM on ESPN pic.twitter.com/GGcrrw5CPg
- Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 4, 2023
Jaguars Hold Strong in AFC South
Jacksonville managed to hold off Houston on the road in their previous game to solidify their hold on first place in the AFC South. The Jaguars improved to 8-3 on the season and have a two-game lead over Houston and the Indianapolis Colts for first place in the division.
Against Houston, Jacksonville led 3-0 after the first quarter, 13-7 at halftime and 21-14 after three quarters.
The Jaguars led 24-21 late and watched the Texans advance into scoring position in the final minute only to have Houston miss a 58-yard field goal that would have tied the game with 29 seconds to play.
Jacksonville had a 445-352 edge in total yards, recorded 22 first downs while allowing 19 and had a 33-54 possession margin at 26:06 to counter the game's only turnover.
On the season, Jacksonville ranks 12th in the league in aerial offense with 238 yards per game and 18th in ground offense with 106.2 yards per game.
The Jaguars rank 12th in the league in scoring offense, averaging 23.1 points per game, and rank 12th in scoring defense by allowing 20.5 points per game.
Trevor Lawrence has completed 249 of 370 passes for 2,746 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions on the year. He has 240 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
C.J. Beathard is three of four for 14 yards in limited work. Travis Etienne Jr. leads the Jaguars in the ground game with 194 carries for 726 yards and seven touchdowns. The Jaguars have everything they need to take on the Bengals.
