Bengals vs Jaguars
The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-31 in a thrilling overtime game on Monday Night Football, December 4th, 2023. The game was a nail-biter from beginning to end, with both teams trading scores throughout the night. The Jaguars were led by Trevor Lawrence, who threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns before suffering a severe ankle injury in the fourth quarter.
Despite Lawrence’s absence, the Jaguars were able to tie the game at 31 with a field goal in the final seconds of regulation. However, the Cincinnati responded in overtime with a game-winning field goal from Evan McPherson.
This win was a huge one for the Bengals, who improved their record to 9-4 and remain in the thick of the AFC playoff race.
Watch the highlights of Bengals vs Jaguars:
The First Quarter of the Bengals vs. Jaguars
The Cincinnati Bengals faced off against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football, December 4th, 2023, in a highly anticipated matchup. Let’s take a look at the first quarter of this exciting game:
Jacksonville Takes the Lead:
The Jaguars won the coin toss and elected to defer, giving the ball to the Bengals to start the game. However, the Cincinnati’s opening drive sputtered out, and they were forced to punt after three plays.
Jacksonville took over at their own 20-yard line and quickly marched down the field. Trevor Lawrence completed a 26-yard pass to Christian Kirk, and running back Travis Etienne rumbled for 12 yards on the next play. Facing a 4th-and-2 from the Cincinnati 4-yard line, the Jaguars decided to go for it. Lawrence dropped back to pass, but was flushed out of the pocket and forced to scramble. He was able to find Marvin Jones Jr. in the end zone for a touchdown, giving the Jaguars an early 7-0 lead.
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Bengals Respond:
The Cincinnati responded quickly on their next drive. Jake Browning connected with Tee Higgins for a 20-yard gain, and later found Tyler Boyd for a 15-yard gain. However, the drive stalled at the Jacksonville 31-yard line, and the Bengals were forced to settle for a 57-yard field goal attempt. Unfortunately, the kick was wide left, keeping the score at 7-0.
Missed Opportunities:
Both teams had opportunities to score in the final minutes of the first quarter. The Jaguars had a chance to extend their lead when they reached the Cincinnati 30-yard line, but Lawrence was intercepted by Chidobe Awuzie. The Bengals then drove down the field themselves, but Browning was sacked by Josh Allen, and the quarter ended with the score still 7-0 in favor of the Jaguars.
Key Statistics from the First Quarter:
- Total Yards: Jaguars 128, Bengals 88
- First Downs: Jaguars 8, Bengals 4
- Passing Yards: Lawrence 90, Browning 71
- Rushing Yards: Etienne 21, Mixon 17
Bengals Battle Back to Tie the Game in the Second Quarter
The Cincinnati Bengals, trailing 7-0 after a sluggish first quarter, found their rhythm in the second quarter, tying the game with the Jacksonville Jaguars at 14-14 by halftime.
Here’s a breakdown of the key moments in the second quarter:
Bengals Offense Awakens:
Jake Browning’s Steady Performance: Filling in for injured starter Joe Burrow, Jake Browning began to settle into a groove, completing 10 of his 12 passes for 100 yards in the quarter. Joe Mixon Powers the Cincinnati : Running back Joe Mixon became a focal point of the offense, rushing 9 times for 36 yards and 2 touchdowns, both coming in the second quarter.
Jaguars Maintain Pressure:
Trevor Lawrence’s Precision Passing: Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence continued his efficient play, completing 5 of 7 passes for 46 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Jones Jr.
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Game Tied at the Half:
The Bengals tied the game at 7-7 with 6:24 left in the second quarter on a 6-yard touchdown run by Joe Mixon. The Jaguars responded with their own touchdown drive, taking a 14-7 lead with 3:46 left in the half on the Lawrence-to-Jones touchdown connection. The Cincinnati answered back with another touchdown drive, tying the game at 14-14 with just over a minute remaining in the half on Mixon’s second touchdown run.
Second Quarter Stats:
- Jaguars: 75 total yards, 4 first downs, 1-4 on third-down conversions
- Bengals: 154 total yards, 12 first downs, 4-7 on third-down conversions
Key Takeaways:
- The Cincinnati’s offense found its footing in the second quarter, thanks in part to Jake Browning’s efficient passing and Joe Mixon’s hard-nosed running.
- The Jaguars’ offense cooled off a bit in the second quarter, but they still managed to score a touchdown and maintain a slim lead for most of the quarter.
- The game was tied at halftime, setting up a tense and exciting second half.
Third Quarter Rollercoaster: Bengals and Jaguars Trade Scores and Leads
The third quarter of the Cincinnati-Jaguars matchup yesterday was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading touchdowns and the lead multiple times.
Jaguars Take the Lead:
Jacksonville opened the scoring in the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Trevor Lawrence, capping off a 9-play, 74-yard drive. The Jaguars’ defense forced a Cincinnati punt on the ensuing possession, giving them the ball back with a 21-14 lead.
Bengals Respond with a Touchdown:
The Cincinnati didn’t let the Jaguars hold the lead for long. They responded with a 12-play, 89-yard drive that culminated in a 76-yard touchdown pass from Jake Browning to Ja’Marr Chase. This long play was a momentum-shifter, tying the game at 21-21 with 5:23 remaining in the quarter.
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Jaguars Regain the Lead:
The Jaguars weren’t done yet. They answered the Cincinnati’s touchdown with a touchdown of their own, a 14-yard pass from Lawrence to Parker Washington. This put Jacksonville back in front 28-21 with 3:10 left in the quarter.
Bengals Tie it Up Again:
Just when it seemed like the Jaguars might take control of the game, the Cincinnati responded once again. They marched down the field and scored on a 1-yard sneak by Browning, tying the game at 28-28 with 9:27 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Third Quarter Stats:
- Bengals: 164 total yards, 7 first downs, 2-2 on third-down conversions
- Jaguars: 143 total yards, 9 first downs, 2-2 on third-down conversions
Key Takeaways:
- The third quarter was a shootout, with both teams scoring two touchdowns apiece.
- Jake Browning continued to play well for the Bengals, throwing for 138 yards and a touchdown in the quarter.
- The Jaguars’ defense was able to force two interceptions in the third quarter, but they were unable to capitalize on them.
- The game remained tied heading into the fourth quarter, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.
Fourth Quarter Thrills and Overtime in Cincinnati’s Upset Victory
The fourth quarter of the Bengals-Jaguars matchup was a dramatic one, filled with suspense, heartbreak, and ultimately, victory for the Bengals.
Jaguars Threaten to Pull Away:
Early in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars threatened to pull away when Trevor Lawrence found Christian Kirk for a 34-yard touchdown pass, putting Jacksonville ahead 35-28.The Bengals’ offense stalled on their next possession, and it looked like the Jaguars might cruise to victory.
Bengals Respond with a Crucial Drive:
However, the Bengals refused to give up. They put together a 16-play, 82-yard drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by Joe Mixon, tying the game at 35-35 with 6:29 remaining. This crucial score kept the Bengals’ hopes alive and sent the crowd at TIAA Bank Field into frenzy.
Trevor Lawrence Injury and Overtime:
Unfortunately for the Jaguars, their hopes of victory took a major blow when Trevor Lawrence suffered a sprained ankle late in the fourth quarter. He was forced to leave the game, and backup quarterback C.J. Beathard took over. Beathard was able to lead the Jaguars into field goal range, and Brandon McManus kicked a 40-yard field goal to tie the game at 31-31 with 28 seconds remaining. This set the stage for overtime.
Bengals Win in Overtime:
The Bengals won the toss and elected to receive the ball in overtime. They marched down the field with ease, and Evan McPherson kicked a 48-yard field goal to give the Bengals a 34-31 lead with 1:45 remaining in overtime.
The Jaguars had one last chance to win the game, but Beathard was sacked on a fourth-down attempt, sealing the victory for the Bengals.
Fourth Quarter Stats:
- Bengals: 110 total yards, 8 first downs, 2-3 on third-down conversions
- Jaguars: 94 total yards, 6 first downs, 1-2 on third-down conversions
Key Takeaways:
- The Bengals overcame a 14-point deficit in the second half to win the game.
- Jake Browning played well in his second career start, throwing for 354 yards and a touchdown.
- The Jaguars’ defense was unable to contain the Bengals’ offense in the fourth quarter and overtime.
- The loss of Trevor Lawrence was a major blow to the Jaguars.
Trailing 31-35, the Bengals rallied in overtime with McPherson’s game-winning field goal, securing a thrilling 34-31 victory over the Jaguars. Despite Lawrence’s valiant effort (325 yards, 2 TDs), his ankle injury proved costly. The Bengals improved to 9-4, while the Jaguars fell to 6-7.