Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals

The clash at Paycor Stadium turned into a nail-biter as the Cincinnati Bengals held off the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-27 in a game that swung back and forth until the final minute. The Bengals, coming off a strong Week 1 performance, found themselves in early trouble when Jacksonville struck first with a quick touchdown drive led by Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars’ balanced attack mixed Travis Etienne runs with precise passes to Christian Kirk and Calvin Ridley, setting the tone for a high-scoring afternoon.

The game took a dramatic turn in the second quarter when Joe Burrow left with a toe injury after being sacked by Arik Armstead. The stadium fell silent as Burrow walked off under his own power but was ruled out for the rest of the game. Backup quarterback Jake Browning entered with Cincinnati trailing and immediately faced the challenge of rallying a team that had just lost its offensive centerpiece.

Browning’s poise quickly shifted momentum. He connected with Tee Higgins for a deep touchdown that energized the crowd and tied the game going into halftime. The Bengals’ defense followed with a big interception early in the third quarter, setting up another quick strike — this time a Joe Mixon rushing score. Despite being without their franchise QB, Cincinnati showed grit and creativity in their play calling, keeping Jacksonville Jaguars on their heels.

Trevor Lawrence continued to deliver for the Jaguars, throwing for three touchdowns and nearly engineering a late comeback. His final drive pushed Jacksonville deep into Bengals territory, but a fourth-down stop inside the red zone ended their hopes. Christian Kirk had a standout day with over 100 receiving yards, but Jacksonville’s defense couldn’t contain Cincinnati’s explosive plays when it mattered most.

The Bengals now sit at 2-0, proving their depth and ability to win under adversity, while Jacksonville falls to 1-1 but remains a team on the rise. All eyes will be on Burrow’s status in the coming days, as Cincinnati’s playoff aspirations hinge heavily on his health. For the Jaguars, this loss serves as both a missed opportunity and a sign they can compete with top AFC contenders.