JACKSONVILLE – In a weekly feature for the 2026 season, NFL Media and Jaguars Media Analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down the Jaguars’ performance in a 22-17 Week 4 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio
BIG IMPRESSION
- If the Jaguars' victory over the Bengals was an introduction to the team's playing style, the football world should see the 3-1 AFC South leaders as a feisty, physical squad no one wants to face down the stretch. The Jaguars beat up the home team in a flag fest that reflected the game's physicality and ruggedness – although the infractions are not a part of Head Coach Liam Coen's plan to build an ultra-aggressive team that outworks, outhits and outlasts opponents over a 60-minute game. With the Jaguars pounding the Bengals to a pulp in a game that didn't feel as close as the final score suggested, the football world got to see the AFC's emerging bully impose its will on opponents.
KEYS TO VICTORY
- The Jaguars played complementary, championship-level football against the Bengals. Despite an extraordinary number of penalties that disrupted the game's rhythm and flow, the Jaguars controlled the game with an efficient, ball-control offense and a turnover-obsessed defense that excels with a "bend but don't break" philosophy, conceding yards but not explosive plays or touchdowns. The defense kept Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in check for four quarters despite surrendering 400-plus passing yards to the perennial Pro Bowler. Despite the gaudy statistics compiled by Burrow, the seventh-year veteran threw a pair of costly interceptions that flipped the game's momentum. Trevor Lawrence and Co. capitalized on the blunders by repeatedly attacking the middle of the field with darts and floaters to tight end Brenton Strange, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The Jaguars' efficient passing game complemented an effective ground attack that punished the Bengals whenever All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence left the game. With 111 rushing yards, including a 25-yard touchdown scamper by running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., the Jaguars forced the Bengals to play on their terms and walked out of "The Jungle" with their third victory of the season.
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TREVOR'S TIME
- The 2025 MVP finalist is putting together an impressive campaign that could result in some hardware at season's end. Lawrence carved up the Bengals' defense like a five-star chef creating a masterpiece. The former No. 1 overall pick completed 18 of 23 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown despite a ferocious pass rush that kept him moving in the pocket. He distributed the ball to seven different receivers, resisting the urge to force-feed Parker Washington when the standout playmaker was blanketed by the Bengals' coverage. By sticking to the script and trusting his read, Lawrence continued to show the patience and discipline that has helped him play like the NFL's QB1 since the middle of last season.
UNSUNG HERO
- Brenton Strange carried the Jaguars' passing game against the Bengals. The fourth-year pro finished with seven catches for 95 receiving yards on eight targets, displaying the dominant playmaking skills that make him a matchup nightmare for linebackers and defensive backs. Strange's speed, quickness and slick route-running skills overwhelm middle-of-the-field defenders, while his superior size is too much for slot defenders. With Lawrence repeatedly targeting Strange on short crossers and spot-up routes, the Jaguars' efficient, inside-out passing game produced enough first downs to keep the offense on schedule for most of the game.
Swipe through to take a look at the scenes from the Jaguars game in Week 4 of the 2026 NFL Season! From top celebrations to behind-the-scenes locker room moments, catch it all in Frames of the Game 🏈 ➡️
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
CB Jarrian Jones
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LB Foyesade Oluokun
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
QB Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DE Josh Hines-Allen
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LB Dennis Gardeck
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DT Albert Regis
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
RB LeQuint Allen Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR/CB Travis Hunter
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
RB Ameer Abdullah
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
RB Ameer Abdullah
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
RB Ameer Abdullah
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
S Rayuan Lane III
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
QB Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
K Cam Little (39)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
QB Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DT Matt Dickerson
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DE Travon Walker
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR Josh Cameron (19)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
RB Ameer Abdullah (20)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR Josh Cameron (19)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR Josh Cameron (19)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
TE Tanner Koziol (88)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
OL Anton Harrison (77)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
TE Nate Boerkircher (87)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
TE Nate Boerkircher (87)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
OL Ezra Cleveland (76)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR/CB Travis Hunter (12)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR/CB Travis Hunter (12)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
QB Trevor Lawrence (16) and OL Robert Hainsey (73)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR/CB Travis Hunter (12)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DT DaVon Hamilton (52) and DT Ruke Orhorhoro (99)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DT DaVon Hamilton (52) and DT Ruke Orhorhoro (99)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
RB LeQuint Allen Jr. (5) and RB Ameer Abdullah (20)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
P Logan Cooke (9)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
S Antonio Johnson (6)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
TE Quintin Morris (80)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DT Albert Regis (98), CB Jabbar Muhammad (37), S Caleb Ransaw (27), and S Rayuan Lane III (25)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR Josh Cameron (19)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
HC Liam Coen
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LB Dennis Gardeck (47)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
TE Brenton Strange (85)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DE Danny Striggow (92)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DT Arik Armstead (91)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DT Arik Armstead (91)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
S Antonio Johnson (6)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
RB LeQuint Allen Jr. (5)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR/CB Travis Hunter (12)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
CB Jabbar Muhammad (37)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR Austin Trammell and WR CJ Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LB Dennis Gardeck (47)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DT Ruke Orhorhoro (99)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LS Ross Matiscik (46)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
QB Trevor Lawrence (16), P Logan Cooke (9), DE Josh Hines-Allen (41), CB Jourdan Lewis (2), DT DaVon Hamilton (52) and OL Robert Hainsey (73)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
OL Robert Hainsey (73), DT DaVon Hamilton (52), CB Jourdan Lewis (2), DE Josh Hines-Allen (41), P Logan Cooke (9) and QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR/CB Travis Hunter (12)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
TE Nate Boerkircher (87)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
CB Jourdan Lewis (2)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41), CB Jourdan Lewis (2), and LB Dennis Gardeck (47)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
CB Jabbar Muhammad (37) and associate head coach/special teams coordinator Heath Farwell
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR Josh Cameron (19)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
OL Robert Hainsey (73)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR Parker Washington (11) and TE Brenton Strange (85)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR Josh Cameron (19)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
K Cam Little (39) and P Logan Cooke (9)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DE Travon Walker (44)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23) and LB Ventrell Miller (51)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
S Antonio Johnson (6)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
CB Jarrian Jones (4) and S Rayuan Lane III (25)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (24)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (24) and QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DE Bryan Thomas Jr. (57) and CB Jarrian Jones (4)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
S Rayuan Lane III (25)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
S Rayuan Lane III (25) and DE Travon Walker (44)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
WR Jakobi Meyers (3)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
TE Brenton Strange (85)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
HC Liam Coen
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
HC Liam Coen
OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING
- Despite falling inches short of closing out a hard-fought road game, the Jaguars' offense deserves kudos for an efficient performance against a sturdy defense that bullies opponents at the line of scrimmage. The Jaguars rolled up 300-plus yards, utilizing a balanced approach that kept the Bengals' defense on its heels in pivotal moments. The clever scheming and tactics from Coen and Co. deserve a game ball from observers who appreciate crafty Xs and Os. Although the Jaguars' egregious pre-snap penalties must be curbed in future games, their offensive efficiency in key moments is a solid foundation for an offense that wants to keep improving down the stretch.
DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING
- The defensive game plan worked perfectly as the Jaguars held one of the league's most explosive offenses to 17 points despite Burrow's eye-popping stat line. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile utilized a variety of umbrella zone coverage and blitz zones to limit big plays from an offense that hunts chunk plays through the air. Additionally, the Jaguars put enough hits on Burrow to speed up the clock, leading to two interceptions and several errant throws. With the frontline crushing the running game whenever the Bengals tried to slip in a draw, Cincinnati's one-dimensional attack failed against a defense content to play a "bend but don't break" style in Week 4.
