JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, team reporter Kainani Stevens and correspondent John Shipley offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sunday.

Oehser …

1. Quiet and steady. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has started the 2026 season as he finished last season – as one of the NFL's better players at his position. Lawrence, who had 20 touchdowns with seven interceptions in the final 10 regular-season games last season, has seven touchdowns passing with two interceptions this season. He drew praise from Head Coach Liam Coen for his three-touchdown, one-interception performance in a 35-6 victory over the New England Patriots this past Sunday, a performance that gave him seven touchdowns with one interception in two home games this season. It is perhaps testament to Lawrence's improvement since Coen's arrival that his performance against New England has been overshadowed in recent days by other noisier Jaguars storylines, but his steadiness shouldn't be overlooked. Nor should his decision-making, accuracy and steadily improving poise. Lawrence from this view is settling into being one of the NFL's better quarterbacks, with a knack for the spectacular and the poise to keep mistake-prone games to a minimum. He is either elite or very near it. Whether it's noticed or not.
2. What is, not what is not. The Jaguars lead the NFL in fewest points allowed, and if that is surprising, you may be focusing on what the Jaguars "are not" defensively rather than what they are. While much early-season angst has focused on the pass rush, the reality is this is a very good defense and has been since coordinator Anthony Campanile's arrival in the 2025 offseason. The Jaguars led the NFL in run defense in 2025 and are eighth in that category through three games. They have allowed 12 points per game, and have been dominant in two home games. Yes, the pass rush must improve, but the Jaguars' defense has shown it can be trusted to be stout, smart and force turnovers. When you do that in the NFL, you give yourself a chance most weeks.

Sexton…

1. Copy and paste. The Jaguars' game plan against the Patriots will work just fine Sunday: Run efficiently, keep third down manageable to stay on the field while keeping the Bengals' offense on the sideline, finish in scoring position and help the defense by giving them a lead. Lawrence was spectacular Sunday, but the running game should not be overlooked. Lawrence and the running backs converted all four of their third-down rushing attempts into first downs Sunday, which sustained drives and contributed two of five red-zone touchdowns on an incredible day for the offense inside the opponents 20-yard line. The running backs have produced 323 yards rushing through three games at a 4.4-yard per carry average, which keeps the offense on schedule and contributes significantly to a 66 percent success rate on third down. That makes Lawrence and the passing game even more dangerous.
2. Takeaway trend. "Takeaways come in bunches." That's true for most teams, but if you track what Campanile has done since taking over in 2025, it isn't for the Jaguars. Takeaways define this defense. They have 37 through the first 20 games of the Coen/Camp era, which is 1.85 per game. That number was .53 takeaways per game in 2024, a staggering improvement in a very short time. Campanile's ball-hawking defense has produced two takeaways in five different games, three in six games – including last week against the Patriots – and four in San Francisco last season. Coen talks about complementary football and what's better than 141 points scored off turnovers in 20 games? That's a touchdown added per game for the Jaguars, plus a scoring opportunity taken away from the opponent.

​Stevens …

1. The Jaguars are on to Cincinnati. The Jaguars lost last year's Week 2 matchup against the Bengals after a controversial pass interference penalty on then-rookie cornerback Travis Hunter. The Jags went on to a 13-4 season, but that doesn't erase the memories of the game that got away. "That is one game that we definitely want back," Lawrence said this week, adding that he's channeling that energy into focusing on this season's game plan for the Bengals. Lawrence is 0-3 against Cincinnati in his career, and it is the only team in the AFC he has not beaten.
2. Burrow presents a vastly different challenge than Maye. After a 35-6 victory over the Patriots, the Jaguars are fully focused on the Bengals. But this matchup is strikingly different from what the Jaguars faced last week because of quarterback play and other offensive weapons. The sustained success of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is something Coen said he admires, and Coen this week also praised Burrow's ability to extend a play. "With him a play is never over," Coen said. Jaguars defensive backs will have to play disciplined coverage with when covering Cincinnati's Pro Bowl wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase caught 14 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars last season. I'm interested to see what Campanile schemes up to keep the Bengals' offense contained.

Shipley…

1. The challenge is clear. If the Jaguars are to win Sunday, it is clear what that will take – at least on defense. Slowing the Chase/Higgins duo is easier said than done, and it is something past Jaguars defenses struggled to do. But the Jaguars have a cornerback room playing with a lot of confidence after three interceptions over the last two weeks, and the trio of Hunter, Montaric Brown and Jarrian Jones have been preparing for these types of games since the offseason. The Jaguars really like their cornerback room, and this week will give the position a chance to prove the team right in a big way.
2. Run to win. The Jaguars' run game has been excellent in terms of efficiency to start the season, and this might be the week explosive runs start to pop up as well. The Jaguars have seen running back Bhayshul Tuten seemingly close to hitting a home run on the ground a few times. He has improved by the week, and he had a big game against the Bengals last season. Look for him to be a potential X-Factor Sunday.