JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville Jaguars carry the NFL’s fewest points allowed into Sunday’s Week 4 road game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, riding a defense that has surrendered just 12 points per game and a quarterback playing some of the best football of his career.
Trevor Lawrence has thrown seven touchdowns against two interceptions through three games in 2026, including a three-touchdown, one-interception performance in last Sunday’s 35-6 victory over the New England Patriots. Head Coach Liam Coen praised Lawrence’s performance against New England, and senior writer John Oehser noted that Lawrence posted seven touchdowns with one interception across two home games this season. Lawrence finished last season with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions over the final 10 regular-season games.
“That is one game that we definitely want back,” Lawrence said this week, referring to last year’s Week 2 loss to Cincinnati - a defeat that came after a controversial pass interference penalty on then-rookie cornerback Travis Hunter. Lawrence is 0-3 against the Bengals in his career, making Cincinnati the only AFC team he has not beaten.
The Jaguars’ ground game has been a quiet engine behind the offense. Running backs have produced 323 yards rushing through three games at a 4.4-yard per carry average, and Lawrence and the backs converted all four of their third-down rushing attempts into first downs against New England. That efficiency has driven a 66 percent success rate on third down, according to senior correspondent Brian Sexton.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile’s unit has been equally reliable. The Jaguars have recorded 37 takeaways through the first 20 games of the Coen-Campanile era - a rate of 1.85 per game, compared to just .53 per game in 2024. Those turnovers have translated directly to points: 141 scored off turnovers across those 20 games. Campanile’s defense recorded three takeaways against New England last week alone.
The Bengals present a sharply different challenge than the Patriots. Coen this week praised Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow’s ability to extend plays. “With him a play is never over,” Coen said. Burrow’s top targets, Pro Bowl wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, will test Jacksonville’s cornerback room. Chase caught 14 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars last season.
Correspondent John Shipley noted that cornerbacks Travis Hunter, Montaric Brown and Jarrian Jones have combined for three interceptions over the past two weeks and have been preparing for matchups like Sunday’s since the offseason. Running back Bhayshul Tuten, who had a strong game against Cincinnati last season, figures to be a key factor in the Jaguars’ effort to control the ball and keep Burrow off the field. Kickoff at Paycor Stadium is Sunday.