Jacksonville Jaguars play Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday with latter holding edge – NFL Preview
The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to face the Cincinnati Bengals in an American Football Conference (AFC) South versus North showdown with both sides expected to come on the field with clear motives of victory this Sunday (September 30).
A victory although will be very difficult for the Jaguars, it is more crucial for them to consolidate their record in the division which is led by the Houston Texans with rest of the three teams behind them with one win each.
It poses another challenge to quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who was successful to overcome the failure of a game earlier to throw an impressive pass to wide receiver Cecil Shorts for an 80-yard touchdown in closing seconds of the game versus Indianapolis Colts
that helped them register their first win of the season.
Overall, the QB has been struggling to come out of the slump that has hit his career since its start last season and irrespective of pressure from coach Mike Mularkey and commentators he is yet to gain his match-winning form.
The pressure is increasing on him to perform better with passage of every game and the number of fingers pointed out at his failure ever increasing. It is now to be seen how the QB performs against a competitive side of Bengals.
Along with him, the game of running back Maurice Jones-Drew will be significant to the Jaguars' hopes of a win. If Maurice is able to give an impressive performance it may well compensate for any possible lapses from the quarterback.
Also, Justin Blackmon is another rookie star who has so far failed to perform up to his potential and if he is successful in putting up a strong show this weekend it must be a great development for the team and most likely to help their victory chances.
Not to forget Cecil here again, he has shown to be a talented player by completing 80-yard pass for a touchdown in the Colts' game and his form is as significant for the Jaguars as of any other player in the squad.
Despite so much strength and positives, a win will not be easy for Jaguars given the Bengals are studded with star performers of their own. The offence leader QB Andy Dalton has shown how successful he has been in leading the team right from the front and
helped the side to a majority of victories in the last couple of seasons. So his game will be more crucial than probably of all other Bengals combined.
The Jaguars must be aware that the man is upbeat about his readiness for the game and be prepared to face his attacking outbursts. Dalton said of the game:
"We've gotten better each week. With the Baltimore game, we were in the game going into the second half and middle of the third quarter and things didn't go our way. We know we have to keep fighting and keep going. It's a long game. It's a long season, so
we just have to find ways to win."
Overall, it is expected to be a hard-fought game but the Bengals apparently look to have a slighter edge over the rivals.
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