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Jake Browning has Jaguars number, leads Bengals past Jacksonville 31-27
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- Jake Browning has Jaguars number, leads Bengals past Jacksonville 31-27
CINCINNATI — Yuck.
The Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) couldn't keep their lead over the Cincinnati Bengals (2-0), and failed to capitalize on numerous balls bouncing in their direction, losing 31-27.
Simply put, the team looked and played as if it didn't know how to close out games, and were outmatched in key situations that led to a loss as the Bengals scored the winning touchdown with nearly no time remaining.
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Jacksonville's primary objective this week was clear: don't let Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow get comfortable.
Well, they didn't, and the Pro Bowl QB was sent into the locker room with about nine minutes left in the second quarter due to a left toe injury. Burrow was ruled out of the contest just ahead of the fourth quarter.
For Cincinnati, the team appeared to respond well to the injury, while Jacksonville tried its best to keep the Bengals in the game despite it. That remained the case until the very end as backup QB Jake Browning leaped into the end zone to give the Bengals their first lead of the day with 18 seconds remaining.
At one point, Browning was 11 for 15 for 165 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Browning's best play of the day came on a 42-yard touchdown strike to Tee Higgins to tie the game at 24-24 with a few minutes left in the third quarter.
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It wasn't a good game necessarily, but he did what was needed.
Jaguars defense limits Bengals with pass rush, but has crucial lapses
Sep 14, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) takes a hit to the head from Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Jacksonville's defense didn't struggle as much as it felt after Burrow was knocked out of the game. At least most of the time.
Jacksonville's defense held Bengals running back Chase Brown to 47 yards on 16 carries, limiting Cincinnati's rushing ability. The team also made it hard for both Bengals QBs due to pressure applied by Jacksonville's defensive line. The Jaguars had three sacks and eight quarterback hits as the fourth quarter reached the midway point.
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While the offense didn't capitalize on Browning's first interception, the team did when safety Andrew Wingard made a special play on the football, giving the Jaguars' offense new life with the game tied. Jacksonville marched down the field in five plays to score a touchdown.
The Jaguars finished with three interceptions, including what appeared to be a potentially game-saving interception by linebacker Devin Lloyd . The Jaguars, though, were unable to convert a fourth down, giving the Bengals a final opportunity to tie or win the game.
Cincy chose the latter.
Trevor Lawrence , Jaguars offense sloppy, despite impressive start
Sep 14, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) calls a play in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Lawrence began the game with urgency and pinpoint accuracy against Cincinnati. He completed 5 of 7 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown to start the game.
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The Jaguars had a nine-play, 69-yard drive to go up early against the Bengals.
Despite that, Lawrence didn't continue the hot streak. He threw two interceptions, nearly posted a third and had trouble getting his guys lined up and ready for snaps, leading to multiple illegal motions.
Jacksonville's offense dominated on the ground when they were wont to do it. Nearing the end of the game, Travis Etienne rushed for 5.8 yards per carry, while his backup, rookie Bhayshul Tuten was gaining 5.3 yards per attempt.
The Jaguars went away from the run in a few times too many. On one posession, the team had a third-and-1 with 9:34 remaining in the third quarter. Lawrence threw an incomplete pass to Thomas, leading to a punt. After a touchdown drive, Jacksonville's offense again went away from the run, throwing three straight times from the Cincinnati seven-yard line. They were forced to kick a field goal.
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Finally, on third-and-2 from the Cincinnati 47-yard line, the Jaguars threw the ball again, incomplete and forced to punt.
Lawrence finished the game 24 of 42 for 271, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Ironically, the Jaguars had one final opportunity to regain the lead on a trick play. The play failed, but they also finished with yet another illegal shift penalty.
Jaguars' sloppy operation costs team multiple points
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is tripped up by Cincinnati cornerback Dax Hill during their game on Sept. 14 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
Jacksonville got off to a good start in Sunday's game against Cincy, but the second quarter left much to be desired. In all, the team totaled two penalties in the first half, but they had five other penalties declined.
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Overall, the team had four illegal shift penalties in the fourth quarter. Here's one sequence that ended in a field goal made by Jacksonville:
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Lawrence passes to tight end Brenton Strange , incomplete; illegal shift called on the play. Declined.
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Etienne run for three yards.
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Lawrence pass to WR Parker Washington for 40 yards.
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Lawrence throws an incomplete pass, intended for Hunter.
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Lawrence throws an incomplete pass; an illegal shift was called on the play. Declined.
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Lawrence scramble, incomplete pass; illegal forward pass, illegal shift. Shift is declined.
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Cam Little makes a 42-yard field goal.
On the team's previous drive, the Jaguars were called for an illegal shift twice on back-to-back pass plays. The second play ended in an interception.
Meanwhile, Lawrence threw an ill-advised red-zone interception earlier in the game.
It wasn't all Lawrence, either. The QB had two potential touchdowns dropped early in the fourth quarter to potentially put the team up 31-24.
Brown and Thomas dropped touchdown passes on second and third down from the Cincinnati seven-yard line.
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Joe Burrow injured in second quarter, doesn't return
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is assisted to the locker room with an injury in the second quarter of the NFL Week 2 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. The Jaguars led 17-10 at halftime.
The Jaguars held steady throughout the contest in containing Burrow. He completed 7 of 13 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game with a left toe injury.
Burrow has sustained multiple injuries throughout his career. Here's the list:
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2020: Torn ACL during his rookie season
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2021: Dislocated pinky finger
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2022: MCL sprain in the waning moments of the Super Bowl
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2023: Right calf strain that kept him out early in the season
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2023: Ruptured scapholunate ligament injury in his wrist in 2023 that kept him out for the season late
Burrow was sacked three times before leaving the game due to the injury. He was helped into the locker room after spending time in the blue medical tent. It appeared Burrow could not put much pressure on his left foot.
Jake Browning oddly owns the Jaguars
In 2023, during a Monday Night Football game, Browning played in place of the injured Burrow and went 32-for-37 for 354 yards and a touchdown as well as a rushing touchdown to lead Cincinnati to a 34-31 victory.
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The Jaguars were 8-3 heading into the game, but lost five of their final six games starting with the Bengals, missing out on the playoffs. This started the downfall of the Doug Pederson era.
On Sunday, Browning was 21-of-32 for 241 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions while also rushing for the game-winning score.
Next up: Jaguars set to take on Texans in Week 3
The Jaguars will hope to get back in the win column after a disappointing loss to the Bengals.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Bengals rally to defeat Jaguars 31-27 despite Joe Burrow injury
