Young Quarterbacks Center of Attention in Week 4 Opener
Week 4 of the NFL season kicks off in Cincinnati Thursday night as the Bengals (2-1) play host to the winless Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3). Let’s see which team is the one who takes the win on this Jaguars at Bengals betting pick.
With Sunday’s 31-19 loss to Arizona, Jacksonville has now lost 18 consecutive games dating back to the 2020 season opener.
Cincinnati was able to shake off a Week 2 loss to Chicago with an impressive 24-10 road win against AFC North rival Pittsburgh.
Game Odds
In this one, Cincinnati opens as the heavy favorite as BetUs has the Bengals pegged as a 7.5-point favorite with -110 odds to cover the spread. Bettors taking the Jaguars to cover the +7.5 points will also receive -110 odds. Sportsbooks also have the Over/Under set at 46 points with -110 odds on either side of the number.
Growing Pains
Top overall pick Trevor Lawrence continues to struggle through the first three weeks of the season. With two more interceptions on Sunday, including a game-changing pick-six and two lost fumbles, the rookie from Clemson has a league-high nine turnovers on the season (7 INTs, 2 lost fumbles).
Lawrence did toss his fifth touchdown of the season with a perfectly placed pass in the endzone corner to DJ Chark. For the season, the rookie has completed 64 of 118 passes for 669 yards.
Step in the Right Direction
In order to give Lawrence some help, Jacksonville needs to be able to run the ball. The Jaguars doubled their season rushing output on Sunday with 159 yards on the ground.
James Robinson led the way with 88 yards on 15 totes, including a third-quarter touchdown which gave Jacksonville a 19-10 lead. Robinson now has 160 yards on the season, while Carlos Hyde has 95 yards after picking up 44 on Sunday.
Rare Company
With his 34-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, Bengals rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase became just the third WR in league history to record scores of at least 25 yards in each of his first three career games.
Chase finished the game with four receptions, 65 yards, and two touchdowns. For the season, the rookie has 11 catches for 220 yards and four touchdowns.
No Sophomore Slump
Last year’s No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow is off to a good start this season. Burrow has completed 53 of 75 passes for 640 yards and seven touchdowns.
On Sunday, the second-year pro out of LSU was efficient, going 14 of 18 for 172 yards and three touchdowns.
History Made
With his 109-yard touchdown return on a missed field goal, Jacksonville’s Jamal Agnew became the first player in NFL history with back-to-back games of 100-yard touchdowns. Agnew also had a 102-yard kickoff return for a score in Week 2.
Monster Game
Bengals linebacker Logan Thomas was a big reason for the upset win over the Steelers on Sunday. Thomas recorded 14 total tackles, six solos, to go along with two interceptions.
For the season, Thomas leads the league with three picks which have helped the Bengals to a No. 6 overall ranking in total defense through the first three games.
Trends
Jacksonville is 1-6 against the spread in its last seven games but is 10-3-1 ATS in the last 14 games against teams from the AFC North.
Cincinnati is 4-2 ATS in its last six games overall and 6-2 ATS in the last eight games at home.
The Over has hit in six of the previous seven games for the Bengals against teams from the AFC South.
Jacksonville is 0-3 ATS this season, while the Bengals are 2-1 ATS.
Free Bet: Under 46 (-110)
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