Burrow and Chase shine for Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bengals improved to 6-6 with a narrow 24-21 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in a thrilling Monday Night Football game. The Bengals were led by quarterback Joe Burrow, who threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to his former college teammate Ja’Marr Chase. Chase, the rookie wide receiver, had another stellar performance, catching seven passes for 132 yards and two scores. He now has 12 touchdown receptions on the season, tying the NFL record for most by a rookie.
The Bengals trailed 14-10 at halftime, but took the lead in the third quarter with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Burrow to Chase. The Jaguars responded with a field goal to make it 17-17, setting up a tense fourth quarter.
Lawrence shows flashes of brilliance for Jacksonville
The Jaguars, who fell to 8-4 with the loss, were not without their bright spots. Rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, showed flashes of his potential, completing 22 of 32 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 36 yards on six carries, including a 14-yard scramble that converted a fourth-and-10 in the final drive.
Lawrence connected with tight end Tyler Eifert and wide receiver D.J. Chark for his touchdown passes, both in the second quarter. Eifert, a former Bengal, caught a 12-yard pass in the back of the end zone, while Chark made a spectacular one-handed grab for a 33-yard score. Chark finished with six catches for 101 yards, his third 100-yard game of the season.
Bengals defense holds on for the win
The Bengals defense, which had been struggling in recent weeks, came up big when it mattered most. The unit sacked Lawrence four times, forced two turnovers, and stopped the Jaguars on their final drive. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who signed with the Bengals in the offseason, had two sacks and a forced fumble. Safety Jessie Bates III had an interception and a fumble recovery, both in the second half.
The Bengals took the lead for good with a 38-yard field goal by Evan McPherson with 2:43 left in the game. The Jaguars had a chance to tie or win the game, but their drive stalled at the Bengals 41-yard line. On fourth-and-5, Lawrence threw an incomplete pass intended for Chark, and the Bengals took over on downs. Burrow then kneeled down to run out the clock and seal the victory.
