JACKSONVILLE – Next up: Cincinnati.
That means a little recent history as a Jaguars storyline and a lot of talent – maybe even some Hall of Fame talent – on the other team.
The Jaguars on Sunday will play the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio – and it’s not just the next game on the Jaguars’ 2026 schedule, it’s the next difficult game in a difficult early-season stretch for the AFC South leaders.
It’s the first of three consecutive games for the Jaguars away from Jacksonville – and if it’s not accurate to say the stretch will define the season, it will very much help shape it.
The Bengals. The Houston Texans. The Philadelphia Eagles.
Sunday’s game will be in Cincinnati, with the two after that in London – and with all three teams either playing in the 2025 postseason or looking like serious contenders early in 2026.
The two in London don’t matter yet. Sunday in Cincinnati matters a lot, with the Bengals an improved team featuring an elite quarterback in Joe Burrow, an elite receiving tandem in wide receivers Tee Higgins/Ja’Marr Chase and a vastly improved defense.
The Jaguars played exceedingly well in a 35-6 victory over the New England Patriots this past Sunday. They will need to play well again Sunday against a Bengals team that has won its last four meetings with the Jaguars and that beat the Jaguars in Cincinnati in Week 2 last season.