The Cincinnati Bengals were driving for a tying field goal in Pittsburgh when Joe Burrow was strip-sacked with 44 seconds left, and the 30-27 loss dropped them to 2-1. A muffed punt in the fourth quarter helped the Steelers get there, and the Bengals released returner Ke’Shawn Williams two days later.

Now the Jacksonville Jaguars, also 2-1, come to Paycor Stadium with the league’s stingiest scoring defense. Here are six truths about the Bengals heading into Week 4.

Joe Burrow is playing like a top-10 quarterback

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 2 game between the Houston Texans and the Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium in Houston on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. The Bengals improved to 2-0 on the season with a 20-6 win on the road.USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Burrow has completed 73 of 103 passes for 743 yards, six touchdown passes and one interception. His 83.2 overall grade ranks seventh among 34 qualified quarterbacks, according to PFF, which also named him its top quarterback of Week 3 after he threw three touchdown passes in a loss.

Jacksonville has given up 36 points in three games, the fewest in the NFL. This is the best defense Burrow has seen so far.

The pass protection is better than the sack total says

Nov 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Amarius Mims (71) gets in position to block Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Burrow has been sacked seven times, and the last one cost Cincinnati the Pittsburgh game. The line has still held up. The Bengals rank fourth in pressure rate allowed at 30.1%, and right tackle Amarius Mims hasn’t allowed a pressure on 113 pass-blocking snaps.

It helps that Burrow gets the ball out in 2.50 seconds on average, per PFF. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have 1.5 sacks apiece for Jacksonville and won’t have long to get home.

The secondary is a real concern

Cincinnati Bengals safety Kyle Dugger warms up during preseason practice in Cincinnati on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes against Cincinnati last week, and the coverage busts were easy to spot on film. The health report is worse. Safety Kyle Dugger is out with a quad injury, and starter Bryan Cook is questionable with an ankle injury, according to the final injury report.

With cornerback Jalen Davis hurt, defensive coordinator Al Golden has moved Dax Hill inside to nickel and put DJ Ivey on the boundary. Trevor Lawrence has seven touchdown passes in three games, and he’ll test that reshuffled group with Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington.

Missed tackles are giving away yards

Cincinnati has allowed 464 yards after the catch, the most in the NFL, and its 26 missed tackles are the fourth most.

There’s a break in the matchup here. The Jaguars rank last in yards after the catch per completion at 3.2, so Jacksonville hasn’t been a team that punishes poor tackling. If Jacksonville piles up yards after the catch Sunday, the tackling problem is worse than the numbers already show.

The run game and play-action aren’t helping Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) hands off to running back Chase Brown (30) in the 4th quarter at Paycor Stadium on Sept. 13, 2026.Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Chase Brown has 197 yards on 49 carries, a 4.0-yard average, and the Bengals haven’t topped 106 rushing yards in a game. The play-action game built off it has produced 83 yards on 23 dropbacks, according to Locked On Bengals.

Jacksonville is allowing 91.3 rushing yards per game. The Bengals are also thin at receiver behind Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, with Andrei Iosivas on injured reserve and rookie Colbie Young out with a knee injury.

The red-zone defense keeps bailing Cincinnati out

Houston gained 374 yards against the Bengals in Week 2 and scored six points. Cincinnati ranks third in red-zone defense, according to the team, and that has covered for a lot of yardage between the 20s.

The other side of that matchup is just as tight. Jacksonville’s defense has allowed touchdowns on 20% of red-zone drives, second best in the league, while the Bengals’ offense scores touchdowns on half of its trips. Evan McPherson, who leads the NFL with five field goals of 50-plus yards, may end up busy.

The Bengals host the Jaguars at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS. Watch the inactives for Cook, whose status will shape how Golden lines up the back end.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.