Jaguars are next

[Stripes]

Despite our struggles last week against the Texans, this has been the consensus "first test of the season" for our Bengals. We go on the road for Sunday Night prime time football. The entire country will be watching the orange and black as they face off with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Can we keep the winning streak alive? It is currently at six games dating back to last season.

We all know how important running the ball can be on the road. If we want to take the crowd out early, we should pound the rock all through the first half with Rudi Johnson. He may have his struggles against a very stout Jaguar defensive line. However, despite their great tandem of defensive tackles, the Jaguars are currently tied for 29th in the NFL in run defense, allowing an average of 130 yards per game. Rudi will be up against a solid middle linebacker in Mike Peterson, so that will be a matchup to watch early on. If the Jaguars' struggles continue, and we can overcome our injuries on the offensive line, then we are in a very good position to maintain a solid ruinning game.

In the passing game, we hold an advantage (it seems we have every week so far). The Jaguars opened the season with an upper tier secondary, but recently lost strong safety Donovan Darius for the season. Their starting corners are both solid players in Rashean Mathis and Kenny Wright. Mathis will likely be assigned to cover Chad Johnson for most of the game (as you may have seen on his famous list) so he will certainly have his hands full. Wright is a veteran player who competes for playing time with backup cornerback Terry Cousin. Deke Cooper will replace Darius at strong safety, and he has played well during his tenure as a Jaguar. His notable career achievements include Defensive Player of the Year for the 2002 NFL Europe season. Last season he started 10 games at free safety, and recorded 35 tackles. Starting at free safety on Sunday for the Jaguars will be Deon Grant. He is an experienced player, and will be a factor in shoring up an otherwise porous Jaguar run defense. He recorded 84 tackles last season.

If Braham cannot play Sunday, then that does leave us at a pretty big disadvantage. Eric Ghiaciuc would be forced to face John Henderson and Marcus Stroud, two of the best defensive players in the NFL. If the line can manage to give Carson Palmer a reasonable amount of time to throw the ball, then we should be fine. I think we can expect a big game out of Chad. If the running game works as well as it should, then play action would be available for Palmer to air the ball out early. If the passing game falters early as it did against the Texans, then I think we can expect another big game out of T.J. Houshmandzadeh out of the slot.

On offense, the Jaguars have really struggled this season. They are ranked 24th in the NFL in total offense, with an average of 303.5 yards per game. They are ranked 19th and 20th in rush and pass offense, respectively. Their problems all year long have started with the offensive line. Much like David Carr, Byron Leftwich has been under constant pressure, and has in turn taken quite a beating early in the season. He has been roughed arguably up more than any quarterback in the league so far, but he has continued to play through pain. If our speed on the defensive line can create pressure, like it did against Houston, then I expect we will create a lot of sacks once again. The Jaguars run game has been anemic of late, especially last week against the Denver Broncos. Jaguars' starting tailback Fred Taylor finished the game with 8 carries for only 14 yards. We can't expect him to struggle that much again this week, but our chances still look bright. Our fast linebackers should be able to close on the ball well against their struggling line, and I expect Odell Thurman and Brian Simmons to have big statistical games.

The Jaguars passing game has been explosive, but inconsistent. Their number one receiver, Jimmy Smith, is having a huge year so far, currently with 17 catches for 329 (a 19.4 yards per catch average) yards and 4 touchdowns. After Smith, none of the Jaguars receivers have really produced much. Byron Leftwich is an excellent young quarterback for Jacksonville, but as mentioned previously, his offensive line hasn't played well for him. He will struggle to get the ball off, and I think our speed on defense will be good to stop him from completing many deep passes, if any. He will be facing our strong secondary, but we do have one weakness carrying over from last week. Bengals.com reports that Madieu Williams will probably not be able to play Sunday, so that leaves Ifeanyi Olahete and Kevin Kaesviharn to cover the slot receivers and shore up against the run (sorry Billy). I think they both played very well last week, both doing their jobs as planned, and I see no reason to worry that they won't do the same this week. If Tory James can handle his business against Jimmy Smith and the defensive line can create consistent pressure, then I expect the Jaguars passing offense to really struggle.

If the Bengals can manage to take care of the football, and do not commit foolish penalties on a frequent basis, then I see them reaching 5-0. Our boys know what is at stake, and what could be if they maintain their momentum. Here's to hoping they Do Their Jobs.

My score prediction is Bengals 24 Jaguars 14. What do you all think will happen Sunday? Feel free to homer about!

[Humanzee 5000]

I think we needed a reality check. If you see a Texans fan, thank them for the reality check.

I mean, I'm sure our guys got kinda cocky, even if Lew put them in check, they're still young humans!!

I think we come out rumbling as long as the injuries don't kill us. The center thing could be an issue for beefy ol rudi!!!

[jonf45uk]

if we can get rid of the needless penalties, and hold on to the ball like we've done so well this year i think we'll win.

the pressure will be on leftwich to perform at home, which could be good news for delta and co.

as you say, if everyone does their job, we should be ok!!

if not and we play like we did on sun, we could get mugged!

my predicion- 17-10 win

[Stripes]

they're still young humans!!

You, being the humanzee that you are, would know this well.

[Kazkal]

If steinbach could play center for us,the rookie will have no problem with leadership of everyone else there

if we can get rid of the needless penalties, and hold on to the ball like we've done so well this year i think we'll win.

the pressure will be on leftwich to perform at home, which could be good news for delta and co.

as you say, if everyone does their job, we should be ok!!

if not and we play like we did on sun, we could get mugged!

my predicion- 17-10 win

seems we have less penalties on the road then at home so we should be ok

[Humanzee 5000]

they're still young humans!!

You, being the humanzee that you are, would know this well.

they're still young humanzees!!! I'm just tryin to figure myself out too. I like bananas, but I love human chicks!!!

[San Antonio Bengal]

20 - 13 Bengals

[BengalsMan3203]

The Johnson boys come to play during prime time. O'neil will lock down Jimmy, and Thurman will all over the place stopping the run.

Rudi goes for 130 yards and a TD while Chad gets 8 catches for 100 yards and a TD.

Bengals get a much needed victory on the road during prime-time.

Bengals 27

Jags 10.

WHODEY!

[Who?]

I will be the first to predict a Bengals loss, ending their 4 game winning streak. The Texans scared them a little bit, and even though they will play better against the Jags I still think they will be beat in a close game. Fred Taylor comes out good on the day, and even Reggie Williams has a decent game in this Jags win.

[Stripes]

I will be the first to predict a Bengals loss, ending their 4 game winning streak. The Texans scared them a little bit, and even though they will play better against the Jags I still think they will be beat in a close game. Fred Taylor comes out good on the day, and even Reggie Williams has a decent game in this Jags win.

If it weren't for that signature, I'd almost think you are a Browns fan!

[Ox]

I will be the first to predict a Bengals loss, ending their 4 game winning streak. The Texans scared them a little bit, and even though they will play better against the Jags I still think they will be beat in a close game. Fred Taylor comes out good on the day, and even Reggie Williams has a decent game in this Jags win.

If it weren't for that signature, I'd almost think you are a Browns fan!

Speaking of, how much longer ya gotta have that thing up?

[Stripes]

The Johnson boys come to play during prime time. O'neil will lock down Jimmy, and Thurman will all over the place stopping the run.

Rudi goes for 130 yards and a TD while Chad gets 8 catches for 100 yards and a TD.

Bengals get a much needed victory on the road during prime-time.

Bengals 27

Jags 10.

WHODEY!

Bold prediction, and I like it.

I don't think Rudi will be that successful Sunday, but that would be great to take the crowd out of the game. Also, I think Jimmy Smith will be covered by Tory James for most of the game, but I could certainly be wrong there the way O'Neal has been playing.

[redsfan2]

NFL.com

From Tuesday Morning Quarterback - Jags have not scored 30 points since Dec. 2001.

And again from the Power Rankings - At some point the offense is going to have to play better. If not, it's going to be a long season.

Me ... stating the obvious - Jags are 2 and 2 .... having trouble on offense ( compounded by a qb with a sore ankle ) and on defense have given up 20 points in the last 2 games ( 1 W 1 L ).

Cincinnatis' offense despite last week is still recognized as one of the top 2 or 3 in the AFC. Defense is getting attention by collecting 12 int's and ( last week ) 7 sacks. Opportunistic Turnover Machine.

We've played tough ( tougher than first thought anyway ) games in Cleveland and Chicago. Also had to dig one out of the dirt last week vs a no quit Texans team. Main stat the Jags have going fo them is they win one ... lose one ... and if on schedule ... are due a win this week.

Picking my pre season wins and losses, I had this picked as our first loss. Well ... Now I don't hink so.

This is going to be a tough one too, but hopefully not as sloppy as the Texans.

Bengals 28

Jags 16

[Who?]

I will be the first to predict a Bengals loss, ending their 4 game winning streak. The Texans scared them a little bit, and even though they will play better against the Jags I still think they will be beat in a close game. Fred Taylor comes out good on the day, and even Reggie Williams has a decent game in this Jags win.

If it weren't for that signature, I'd almost think you are a Browns fan!

Speaking of, how much longer ya gotta have that thing up?

I have to have it up till the 11th, then finally I can take this god awful thing off.

[redsfan2]

I will be the first to predict a Bengals loss, ending their 4 game winning streak. The Texans scared them a little bit, and even though they will play better against the Jags I still think they will be beat in a close game. Fred Taylor comes out good on the day, and even Reggie Williams has a decent game in this Jags win.

If it weren't for that signature, I'd almost think you are a Browns fan!

Speaking of, how much longer ya gotta have that thing up?

I have to have it up till the 11th, then finally I can take this god awful thing off.

I thought maybe with you picking the Jags this week that you and BJ might go for another month with it ??? No ???? Gotta hand it to you tho .... you are being a good sport about it ... you didn't slink off to avoid using it.

[bengalsLB]

28-10 bengals win

[Benzoo]

The Jaguars remind me so much of the Bears (sans Kyle Orton and the picks...Just replace the picks with sacks, maybe) that it makes my head spin.

Bengals 24

Jags 7

...In a Prime Time sleeper.

[JPW]

I will be the first to predict a Bengals loss

Is this the fourth or the fifth time that you have predicted that the Bengals would lose a game so far this season ?

I have lost track ...

[Stripes]

Seems likes a lot of people are picking double digit wins... I am surprised, I thought I'd be in the minority. Let's hope we can live up to such expectations better than we did agaisnt Houston!

[The Big Orange]

The Bengals get back to their dominating ways and win by at least 2 TD's...They can't put up points and nobody can stop our O without both a solid D(which they have) and a really solid running game with a nice balance in passing.

This game won't be a test. If Volek starts for the Titans, then that will be our first real test, if not it will be the next week.

[schweinhart]

The Donkeys just embarassed the Jags -- 38 carries for 175 yds for Anderson and Bell -- Del Rio is gonna have his run D wired out of their skin for Rudi.

Fred Taylor has yet to get untracked. He should prove to be the biggest RB challenge the Bengals run D have faced yet.

Lord Byron is finding Jimmy Smith for big plays. Last week, Tory James ended up in a lot of press coverage vs. Andre Johnson and delivered the kind of performance that made him a Pro Bowler last year. Smith vs. James will be an interesting match up...so will O'Neal vs. taller WRs in Reggie Williams, Ernest Wilford, and Matt Jones.

The Jags will be play this game like it's their version of the AFC Championship game.

But this is the game where Carson Palmer shows why he was picked ahead of Leftwich.

Bengals 23 Jagwires 20 in OT.