Jaguars vs. Bengals: Week 13 Staff Predictions

The Jacksonville Jaguars will make their return to Monday Night Football in Week 13, their first game in the NFL's top slot since 2011. 

But before the Jaguars can celebrate their return to ESPN, they will have to get past the Cincinnati Bengals. 

So how does the Jaguar Report staff see Week 13? We break it down below.

John Shipley

Prediction: I never think it is wise to count your chickens before they hatch in the NFL, but I don't think the Jaguars have much to worry about with a Joe Burrow-less Bengals squad. The Bengals obviously still have some dangerous talent in Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Joe Mixon, and Trey Hendrickson, but they are obviously going to be a different team with Jake Browning under center.

The Bengals will likely look to get the ball out of Browning's hands quickly, using designed screens and other types of plays to get the ball into Chase's hands. The way the Jaguars can prevent this from being a winning strategy is by doing what they did vs. a similar offense in Week 11 with the Titans. The Titans lived on the screen game, but the Jaguars forced them into so many third-and-longs that it didn't matter. If they can do the same this week, they will force turnovers.

Offensively, I think this is an ideal matchup for a surging Jaguars offense. The Bengals' defense has given up the most explosive plays in the NFL, the most explosive passing plays, and the most explosive rushing plays. They likely can't run with the Jaguars' skill players, so the Jaguars should take advantage. 

Jaguars 38, Bengals 14.

Daniel Griffis

Prediction: Monday Night Football is back in Jacksonville for the first time since 2011. Unfortunately, fans won’t see the clash between two of the NFL’s best at quarterback as the Bengals’ Joe Burrow is out for the year with a wrist injury. In steps Jake Browning, however, I don’t see a hungry 8-3 Jaguars’ defense being bested by the Cincinnati backup. Josh Allen and Travon Walker have been feasting and the Bengals bring one of the league’s worst offensive lines to town. This one shouldn’t be close. This is another chance for the Jaguars to prove themselves and on Monday night no less. I think they take care of business.

Jaguars 27, Bengals 13.

Zach Schultz

Prediction: With the way the Jaguars are rolling right now I really don’t think this game is all that close. Trevor Lawrence is back to full strength and the offensive line is playing better. Both of these factors have caused the Jaguars offense to look the best it has all season and with the lights on in Duval and the country watching I think they’re ready to make a statement. 

I’m looking for Etienne to get back on track assuming he’s good to go since the Bengals defense is 27th in both rush EPA/play allowed and opponent rushing success rate. They have also been terrorized by tight ends for the last month and half so I really like Engram in this one. Ja’Marr Chase poses the obvious threat still but I’m just not concerned overall with the Bengals offense. Josh Allen should have Orlando Brown ready to get back on that plane especially if the Jags grab an early lead. As mentioned, I don’t think this one is close. 

Jaguars 34, Bengals 13.

Kyle Nash

Prediction: This game went from being one of the most difficult on the schedule to being now among the easiest in the back half of the season with Cincinnati losing Joe Burrow at quarterback. That being said, Josh Allen and the Jaguars defensive front need to make sure they make backup Jake Browning super uncomfortable as they did against Will Levis when the Tennessee Titans were last in Duval.

As for the offense, losing Cam Robinson at the tackle position is a potential problem. As stated by Evan Reier in his piece in the Jaguar Report, so long as they don’t get blown up by Tre Hendrickson and company, it should be smooth sailing for Jacksonville. 

Jaguars 30, Bengals 14.

Evan Reier

Prediction: The Jaguars cannot enter this game lightly. In fact, this should be a statement game as much as any this year. Primetime, high-profile opponent and with the chance to lead the race for the AFC's No. 1 seed depending on how Sunday shakes out.

The Bengals are too talented on offense to not get something going, so it will depend on the offense to not just rack up the yards but finish drives. I think they've found a sense of rhythm the past two weeks, but doing so on national television is a different kind of test. It may not be perfect, but the Jaguars will get it done.

Jaguars 24, Bengals 13.