The Jacksonville Jaguars snapped the script from last season with a 22-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, a win defined by a rejuvenated pass rush and timely plays from several playmakers on offense.
Pass rush forces Bengals into mistakes
Jacksonville’s front had key moments that helped flip field position, including pressures and a third-quarter sack credited to Arik Armstead. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker also made plays — one of Hines-Allen’s pressures forced a Joe Burrow interception that was caught by Jourdan Lewis in the first half. Still, the Jaguars allowed four sacks, and much of the pressure Cincinnati generated came off the edge.
That defensive push came despite the Jaguars allowing four sacks themselves, with much of the Bengals’ pressure coming off the edge. The collective surge up front proved decisive in a game where possessions and turnovers were at a premium.
Offense finds balance: Tuten, Brian Thomas Jr. and Hunter make plays
On offense, Bhayshul Tuten spearheaded the ground game, rushing for a team-high 73 yards. His long-run potential showed through a 44-yard burst that displayed the kind of home‑run ability the Jaguars hope to see more of, though that play was wiped out by a holding call. Tuten finished the day tied for the sixth-most runs of 10-plus yards in the league with eight such runs on the season.
Brian Thomas Jr. answered with a meaningful scoring play, hauling in a seven-yard touchdown in the second quarter for his first score of the season. His touchdown celebration at Paycor Stadium underscored an offense that was finding ways to convert in the red zone and support the defense’s momentum.
Defensively, cornerback Travis Hunter continued a stretch of standout play, delivering what coach Liam Coen called a major contribution. Hunter recorded two pass breakups — the first multi-breakup game of his career — and produced an interception that was nullified by a penalty on the play. "He showed up in a major way for us today," Coen said after the game, praising Hunter’s all‑around impact for the second week running.
The win served as a corrective measure after last year’s 31-27 defeat in Week 2; this time, the Jaguars managed to blend pressure up front, opportunistic defense and enough offense to come away with a close road victory. Mistakes — an officiating reversal on a big Tuten run and surrendering four sacks — still offer areas for improvement, but Sunday’s result provided clear evidence of progress in multiple phases of the game.
