The Bengals head into Sunday trying to put a rough Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers behind them, and the matchup waiting in Jacksonville carries plenty of intrigue. Both Cincinnati and the Jaguars are 2-1, which gives this meeting a little extra weight as the season starts to take shape.
A lot of the attention this week has centered on Travis Hunter and Ja’Marr Chase. Earlier in the week, Chase was asked about Hunter’s early NFL play, and his answer was blunt: nothing. That response sparked plenty of reaction, including from former NFL receiver DeSean Jackson.
Jackson, appearing on 'Up &Adams,' was asked by Kay Adams about Chase’s comment and the way Hunter has developed from his first season to his second. Jackson didn’t see much mystery in the situation.
"You’re talking to the best receiver in the NFL and you’re talking to me about somebody that has done what so far," Jackson said. "What has (Hunter) done so far to be talked about?"
Jackson made it clear where he stands on Chase, calling him the best wide receiver in the game in the course of the discussion. And with that in mind, Sunday could become a major test for Hunter, who is likely to draw one of the toughest assignments of his young career.
Hunter came into the league with the idea that he could play on both sides of the ball, but the Jaguars have made it clear this season that he’ll be on defense. He already has the first interception of his career after last week’s win over the New England Patriots.
Now the challenge gets bigger. He’ll be lining up against Chase, who has only 185 receiving yards so far but looks ready for a breakout performance. Chase also has three touchdowns over his last two games and is on pace to match his career-high of 17 touchdowns.
For Cincinnati, the talking point is no longer the back-and-forth around Hunter. Sunday is about what the Bengals do on the field, and whether they can start separating themselves from the rest of the AFC picture. That’s the question now - assuming they end up being contenders at all this season.
In Other News...
Bengals Loss Exposed A Bigger Problem Than Just One Bad Night
The Bengals Week 4 loss to Jacksonville was more than a frustrating 22-17 finish, because it also forced a hard look at how much of the roster held up when the game tightened. Cincinnati still got encouraging work from Dohnte Meyers and Tee Higgins, but the night turned choppy quickly after JaMarr Chase left for a concussion evaluation, and the offense never really settled into a rhythm from there.
What made the result sting was how many layers of the operation looked off at once. Jordan Battle and Dylan Fairchild drew criticism for their play, Zac Taylors offensive adjustments did not seem to solve the Jaguars pressure points, and Joe Burrows decision-making under pressure came under the microscope again, leaving the Bengals with a familiar but troubling question about whether this was just a bad night or something deeper. [Read more 🡒]
Tee Higgins Injury Leaves Bengals Facing One Big Offensive Concern
Tee Higgins night against the Jaguars ended with a late adductor injury, and it left the Bengals with one of the more immediate questions they can face this early in the week. Higgins tried to come back after leaving the game, but he was unable to continue, and Cincinnati still has not offered any recovery timeline as the team awaits further evaluation.
For a passing game that leans heavily on Higgins as one of its top targets, the timing matters as much as the injury itself. The Bengals now have to sort through what comes next without knowing how long they may be without him, and that uncertainty adds another layer to an offense already trying to keep its footing. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Suddenly Face A Ja'Marr Chase Scare They Can't Afford
JaMarr Chases afternoon against Jacksonville took an unwelcome turn when a facemask hit led to a head injury and a concussion evaluation, forcing the Bengals star receiver out of the game for a stretch. For a Cincinnati offense that leans heavily on Chase to set the tone, any pause in his availability immediately changes the feel of the sideline and the play-calling.
Zac Taylor also pointed to the broader reality the Bengals are dealing with, noting the strain of injuries across the receiver room with Chase among the players affected. Even when Chase is only listed as questionable to return, the ripple effect is clear for a team that cannot afford to lose more firepower while trying to stay on schedule offensively. [Read more 🡒]