Trevor Lawrence has a chance to check off a box he’s never been able to clear in his NFL career when the Jaguars face the Bengals in Week 4.
Jacksonville and Cincinnati both enter the matchup at 2-1, with each team sitting in position to make a push in its division. But for Lawrence, Sunday is about more than the record in the standings. It could also give him a win over the one AFC opponent that has stayed out of reach.
According to ESPN’s Michal DiRocco, Cincinnati is the only AFC team Lawrence has not beaten. He’s gone 0-3 against the Bengals, even though he has produced solid numbers in those games, posting a 66% completion rate with 733 passing yards, five touchdown passes and only two interceptions.
Lawrence has already beaten every team in the AFC South, AFC West and AFC East during his career. In the AFC North, the Bengals are the lone missing piece. They’re also the only AFC team, aside from the Jaguars, that he still hasn’t beaten.
The timing makes this one especially interesting. Jacksonville’s offense has been rolling since mid-season of 2025, while Cincinnati’s attack has looked a bit shaky over the last two games against the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Jaguars’ defense has also been strong this season, including a dominant Week 3 win over the New England Patriots. Still, Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins present a much tougher challenge than New England did.
If Jacksonville’s defense can hold up and Lawrence can keep doing what he’s done against Cincinnati throughout his career, Sunday could finally bring him that last AFC win.
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 🡒]