Jacksonville 22, Cincinnati 17 | October 4, 2026 | Paycor Stadium

The Jacksonville Jaguars left Cincinnati with a road victory and sole possession of first place in the AFC South. The Bengals left with another frustrating loss and a question their box score could not answer: How do you produce 437 yards and finish with only 17 points?

Jacksonville’s 22–17 victory improved the Jaguars to 3–1, while Cincinnati suffered its second consecutive defeat. The Bengals had more yards, more first downs and more offensive plays. Jacksonville protected the football, supplied a productive running game and made Cincinnati earn its final opportunity.

Burrow’s Big Numbers Were Not Enough

Joe Burrow completed 39 of 54 passes for 428 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also scored on a one-yard run, but the Bengals needed more than passing volume to finish this game.

Cincinnati managed just 23 rushing yards on 15 attempts. Chase Brown carried nine times for 10 yards, leaving an offense with little ground support to lean heavily on Burrow.

Tee Higgins delivered 11 catches for 157 yards. Brown added 11 receptions for 71 yards, and Dohnte Meyers caught seven passes for 82 yards. Ja’Marr Chase finished with three catches for 27 yards.

There was production throughout the passing game, but Cincinnati converted only two of its four red-zone opportunities into touchdowns. Burrow’s two interceptions further complicated an afternoon in which the Bengals repeatedly moved the ball without scoring enough.

Lawrence Gives Jacksonville a Cleaner Performance

Trevor Lawrence completed 18 of 23 passes for 227 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. His 78.3 percent completion rate helped Jacksonville get efficient production from a much smaller passing workload.

Brenton Strange led the Jaguars with seven catches for 95 yards. Brian Thomas Jr. caught Lawrence’s seven-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter, extending Jacksonville’s lead to 13–3.

The Jaguars also rushed for 111 yards on 27 carries. Bhayshul Tuten supplied 73 yards, while Chris Rodriguez Jr. added 35 yards and the fourth-quarter touchdown that gave Jacksonville breathing room.

That balance mattered. Jacksonville could threaten Cincinnati through the air and on the ground, while the Bengals struggled to establish a dependable rushing attack.

Little’s Range and Rodriguez’s Run Make the Difference

Cam Little connected on field goals from 55, 28 and 54 yards. Those nine points proved valuable in a game decided by five.

Cincinnati pulled within 13–10 on Burrow’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Mike Gesicki in the third quarter. Little answered with his 54-yard field goal, pushing Jacksonville’s advantage to six.

With 6:35 remaining, Rodriguez broke loose for a 25-yard touchdown. The failed two-point conversion left Jacksonville ahead 22–10.

Burrow’s rushing touchdown cut the deficit to 22–17 with 3:28 left, and Cincinnati eventually earned another chance to take the lead. The final opportunity ended with a nine-yard completion to Brown on fourth-and-10 from the Jacksonville 21.

One yard short. Jacksonville took possession and closed out the win.

S³ Takeaway

This was a bad loss for Cincinnati because the opportunities were there. The Bengals gained 114 more yards than Jacksonville, but their rushing struggles, interceptions and unfinished scoring chances outweighed that advantage.

Jacksonville’s performance also needs perspective. The Jaguars committed 13 penalties for 125 yards, a costly discipline problem that gave Cincinnati additional opportunities. The Bengals were flagged 11 times for 108 yards themselves.

Still, Jacksonville held Cincinnati to 17 points, avoided interceptions and delivered enough offense and kicking production to win on the road.

The Jaguars are alone atop the AFC South at 3–1. The Bengals have lost two straight, and turning offensive production into points has become an immediate priority.