The Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals have been headed in opposite directions, as of late.
The Jaguars have moved past early hiccups and are establishing themselves as a top team in the AFC. The Bengals, however, looked like one of the best teams for a stretch, but are now spiraling.
Without Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow, Cincinnati has turned to backup Jake Browning to turn the season back around. While the Bengals seem unlikely to make the playoffs, they’re still a team with difference makers on both sides of the field.
Here are five Bengals players who could cause problems for the Jaguars in Week 13:
WR Ja’Marr Chase
Without Burrow, two-time Pro Bowl receiver Ja’Marr Chase is easily the best player on Cincinnati’s roster. Chase is a top-five player in the league at his position, and he’s been the most productive player on his team this year.
He already has 75 catches for 914 yards and six touchdowns through his first 11 games of the season. Burrow’s absence might slow his production, but he’s still an elite playmaker.
While he’s catching passes from Browning now, stopping Chase won’t be a walk in the park. Chase is a great separator and is great at the catchpoint, making him one of the most difficult playmakers in the NFL to guard.
WR Tee Higgins
Chase’s running mate, receiver Tee Higgins, hasn’t had as strong of a year due largely to injuries, but he’s still an extremely talented pass catcher when healthy.
Higgins is a big 6-foot-4-inch receiver, who’s more than just a tall player. Higgins can make any catch and has the ability to break a big play on any given snap.
The former Clemson receiver has only played in seven games this season and has turned in 27 catches, 328 yards and two touchdowns. Higgins has been dealing with injury, but he appears in line to suit up in Jacksonville.
His best game of the season came before his injury when he caught eight passes for 110 yards against the Buffalo Bills.
DE Trey Hendrickson
Trey Hendrickson is not only the best defensive player on the Bengals’ roster, but he’s one of the league’s best pass rushers.
Hendrickson joined the Bengals in 2021 after spending four years with the New Orleans Saints. He totaled 13.5 sacks in his last season in New Orleans, but he’s gotten even better in Cincinnati.
The former Saints edge rusher has 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles through 11 games this season. Hendrickson will likely line up across from Jaguars offensive linemen Walker Little and Ezra Cleveland, which should give them a good test in the Jaguars’ first game following Cam Robinson’s injury.
DT D.J. Reader
Defensive tackle D.J. Reader is a premier interior defensive lineman, and he’s one of the Bengals’ best players. Reader’s play might not always translate to the stat sheet, but his ability to clog running lanes is challenging for opposing teams and creates opportunities for teammates.
He has 26 total tackles and one sack, but his job won’t be to get to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Jacksonville running back Travis Etienne Jr. has struggled to get going in recent weeks, and Reader could prevent him from getting back on track.
CB Cam Taylor-Britt
Cam Taylor-Britt isn’t the most consistent cornerback in the league, but he’s got the ability to make a play on the ball at any given moment.
The second-year corner has four interceptions and 10 deflected passes through 10 games this season. If he’s having a good day Monday, he could give Calvin Ridley headaches.
The Jaguars will need their other receivers to show up in case Taylor-Britt is stifling Ridley.
