JACKSONVILLE – One down, a lot more work to go.
If there is a theme around the Jaguars entering their Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, that's it – that while 1-0 is a good and welcome record, it means nothing without a lot more victories moving forward.
"We were ready to go for the game, but we've got to do it again this week," quarterback Trevor Lawrence said as the Jaguars (1-0) prepared to play the Bengals (1-0) at Paycor Stadium Sunday at 1 p.m. "It's a new challenge every single week.
"That's the challenge of the NFL, is consistency."
The Jaguars indeed were impressive in many ways in 26-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium this past Sunday – and as importantly, they were impressive in ways they wanted to impress. They ran well. They were physical. They forced takeaways. They responded well to adversity.
Those will be themes later in this story outlining what the Jaguars must to do beat the Bengals, and they will be themes throughout the 2025 season. Under Head Coach Liam Coen, this team knows its desired identity and the Jaguars took a major step toward establishing that identity in the regular-season opener.
The goal will be to further establish that identity Sunday against what likely will be a tougher opponent than they faced in Week 1. If the Jaguars play to that identity, they have a chance to beat a team many consider a postseason favorite in an AFC North that ranks among the NFL's toughest divisions.
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What do the Jaguars need to do beat a Bengals team trying to return to the postseason following a two-year absence? Here are 10 things:
- Run. Keep remembering this, and keep focusing here because it always will be a priority for Coen. The Jaguars rushed for 200 yards on 32 carries against the Panthers. They won't run for 200 every week, but it will be core to their success every week – and on Sunday.
- Play with physicality. The Jaguars beat the Panthers because they were the more physical team. Part of that was running well. Another part was how they played defense in coordinator Anthony Campanile's first game in the position. If the Jaguars are to be good this season, they must out-physical opponents. And they must do that Sunday.
- Pressure Joey Ballgame. Joe Burrow of the Bengals is among the NFL's best quarterbacks. One reason is that he plays well no matter how often he is sacked and how much he is pressured. You still have to pressure him to have a chance, and Jaguars defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker need to matter Sunday.
- Protect the quarterback. The Jaguars' offensive line was stellar in Week 1, not only rushing but not allowing a sack on Lawrence. That's a tougher task against the Bengals' elite defensive end, Trey Hendrickson.
- Smooth it out. Lawrence was really good in the first half in Week 1. He was OK in the fourth quarter. He not close to as good in the third quarter. The Jaguars will have a lot more trouble against the Bengals if he's not close to "as good."
- Get interior push. Hines-Allen got big-time pressure against the Panthers despite having no sacks. When that happens to an end, it's usually because there wasn't enough pressure from the tackles. The Jaguars need more disruption from the inside Sunday.
- Force turnovers. The Jaguars forced three takeaways against the Panthers after forcing nine in 2024 – eight by the defense. The Jaguars may need to force multiple takeaways with at least one leading to points to beat the potent Bengals.
- Contain Chase … Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is as good as any receiver in the NFL, and he rarely is shut out. Burrow will go to Chase and keep going to chase even when the defense thinks it's defending Chase well. Chase probably will be productive Sunday. The Jaguars can't let him be dominant. And you must tackle Chase. He's one of the NFL's best receivers after the catch.
- … and Higgins. The Bengals' depth at receiver, with Tee Higgins one of the league's best "No. 2 receivers," makes them one of the NFL's most difficult teams to defend. They managed just 17 points and 141 yards in Week 1 against the Browns. They'll be ready and motivated Sunday.
- Stay poised. The Jaguars did this in Week 1, but they never faced all that much adversity. That figures to change against a potent Bengals team that can start 2-0 for the first time since 2018. What do the Jaguars do when things go wrong? That could decide this one.
