Cincinnati is staring down a 13-3 deficit against the Jaguars right before halftime, and the biggest problem? Star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase hasn’t returned since going in for a concussion evaluation in the second quarter. The team has only called him questionable, but it feels like they’re going to have to figure out how to operate without him.
Jags Capitalize on Bengals’ Mistakes
The Jaguars finally got a touchdown to stick just before the break, with Trevor Lawrence hitting Brian Thomas in the end zone with 1:23 left to play in the half. This score came after a brutal sequence for the Bengals: Joe Burrow, under pressure from Josh Hines-Allen, threw a pick that cornerback Jourdan Lewis snagged. That turnover set up the Jags in the red zone. They had a couple of would-be touchdowns wiped out by penalties earlier, including a second one for running back Bhayshul Tuten due to a holding call. But this one counted, extending their lead to 13-3.
Cincinnati’s Growing Problem
This whole first half has been a messy one for the Bengals. Not only are they down by 10 points, but the two teams have combined for 16 penalties for 149 yards. On their last possession before halftime, the Bengals had no timeouts left. Time then ran out after an illegal hands to the face penalty by Dylan Fairchild, pretty much killing any hope of a quick response before the whistle. However, the bigger issue looming for Cincinnati is absolutely the absence of Ja’Marr Chase.
Heading into the locker room, Cincinnati has a lot to unpack. With Chase’s status up in the air and a double-digit hole to climb out of, the second half is going to be a real test for Burrow and that offense. They’ve got to find some answers, and fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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