The Bengals still want to make a playoff push, despite losing 3-straight games. That makes Monday night’s matchup against the Jaguars a must-win. Here are three keys to victory ahead of the primetime matchup: The Bengals continue to give up too many explosive plays. Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett leaned on Pat Freiermuth in the middle of the field last week and also found Diontae Johnson for a 39-yard gain.
Those big plays are tough to overcome, especially without Burrow on offense. The Bengals are going to be without Cam Taylor-Britt for a second-straight game after he sprained his ankle in Friday’s practice. They need DJ Turner II, Chidobe Awuzie, Dax Hill, Mike Hilton and the rest of the secondary to limit explosives. It’ll be much easier said than done with Trevor Lawrence leading a Jaguars’ offense that has Travis Etienne, Calvin Ridley, Evan Engram and Christian Kirk.
The Bengals have to find a way to make life easier on Browning. They can’t ask him to read the defense the way Burrow does regularly. They’re a pass-first offense and they’re going to throw the ball. That’s part of their identity. Finding a way to get Browning in a rhythm early with simple reads and quick throws will help him and the offense be more productive. A big part of making Browning’s life easier is finding a way to be efficient on the ground.
Joe Mixon ran for 16 yards on eight attempts last week. They need more from Mixon and a running game that is one of the worst in the NFL. They may put Browning under center more to help the offensive line. They could also lean on rookie Chase Brown. He didn’t take an offensive snap last week.
Look for Mixon and Brown to both get chances on Monday night. If they can be efficient on the ground, it’ll put Browning and the offense in advantageous situations.
