Bengals, Jaguars Battling History and Each Other for Chance at 2-0

The Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars each enter Week 2 with momentum, something that has been rare to start recent seasons. The winner will move to 2-0 for the first time since 2018. For more Week 2 insights, visit the NFL picks page.

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Bengals shake off early struggles

Cincinnati edged Cleveland 17-16 last week for its first season-opening win since 2021. The defense tightened after a shaky start, shutting out the Browns over their final six possessions. Interceptions from Jordan Battle and D.J. Turner highlighted the turnaround and set up the winning margin.

Defensive end Trey Hendrickson, fresh off a reworked deal, had a sack and three QB hurries to anchor the unit. Coach Zac Taylor credited discipline and turnovers as the deciding factors in close early-season games.

Jaguars embrace defensive identity

Jacksonville dominated Carolina in Liam Coen’s debut, holding the Panthers under 200 total yards in a 26-10 victory. Anthony Campanile’s defense forced three turnovers, including two takeaways by linebacker Foye Oluokun. After finishing last in turnovers in 2024, the Jaguars view this as a promising shift.

Defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot emphasized the mindset, noting that turnovers “come in bunches” and that maintaining that aggression will be key moving forward.

Key offensive matchups

Joe Burrow threw for just 113 yards against Cleveland, his lowest full-game total since 2023. With Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at his disposal, improvement is expected in Week 2. Meanwhile, Jacksonville leaned on Travis Etienne Jr., who ran for 143 yards in the opener after the team traded co-starter Tank Bigsby to Philadelphia.

Offensive Snapshot

Injury updates

Both teams enter Week 2 with relatively clean reports. For Cincinnati, right tackle Amarius Mims (ankle) was limited. Jacksonville listed backup lineman Wyatt Milum (knee) as out of practice, with Anton Harrison and Cole Van Lanen participating fully.

Injury Report Snapshot

The Lean

The Bengals opened as narrow favorites, but both teams boast strong defensive units that could dictate a lower-scoring game. Burrow’s ability to rebound will likely be the deciding factor, while Jacksonville looks to replicate its turnover-heavy Week 1 performance. Projection: Bengals 20, Jaguars 17. For betting breakdowns and projections, visit the NFL odds page.

Final word

Both Cincinnati and Jacksonville are trying to rewrite their recent history of slow starts. A win here provides not only a 2-0 record but also an early foothold in the playoff race. Discipline, turnovers, and efficiency in the red zone will determine which side breaks through. For betting tips and playoff futures coverage, visit the NFL blog section.