Joe Burrow demonstrated sharp efficiency in Cincinnati’s preseason opener against Philadelphia on Thursday, completing 9 of 10 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. With the Jacksonville Jaguars preparing to face the Bengals in Week 2, Burrow’s strong start signals a challenging game ahead.
Early Preseason Success Highlights Burrow’s Readiness
In his first preseason appearance, Burrow quickly connected with wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tanner Hudson for two touchdowns during just two drives. Reflecting on his performance, Burrow described it as “average” but expressed optimism about his progress. He noted,
“But overall, I’m happy with where I’m at. Next week I’d like to be a little better.”
He further analyzed his own play, stating,
“I think for myself, I could have been better. I missed the first throw. I put all the other ones where I wanted to put them. I would’ve liked to have spun it a little better consistently today. But we had scored two touchdowns, so go learn from a couple reps and get better.”
The Threat Burrow Poses to Jacksonville’s Defense
This level of performance should be concerning for the Jaguars’ defense, especially rookie cornerback Travis Hunter. Jacksonville faces a tough challenge on the road when they visit Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium on September 14. Burrow’s chemistry with top receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins presents a significant test for Hunter and the Jaguars secondary.
Despite Cincinnati’s struggles in early-season games in recent years, head coach Zac Taylor emphasized a focused approach this preseason. Acknowledging past inconsistencies, Taylor plans to give Burrow more extensive preseason playing time than in previous years to better prepare the team.
Burrow only appeared in one preseason game last year and had not taken snaps since 2021 before that. While the Bengals finished last season strong with five consecutive wins, including Burrow leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns, they still missed the playoffs following an 0-3 start. That start included a loss to the low-ranked New England Patriots, making the Bengals’ early-season vulnerability a key focal point heading into 2024.
Defensive Strategy to Counter Jaguars’ Offensive Talent
The Bengals will likely focus on limiting the impact of Jacksonville’s offensive stars, including quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the dynamic young talents in their skill positions. With new defensive coordinator Al Golden leading the defense, Cincinnati intends to keep Hunter, the second-overall pick in the 2024 draft, off the field during critical offensive possessions.
Maintaining defensive discipline and containing Hunter will be essential for the Bengals as they aim to disrupt the Jaguars’ rhythm and secure a vital home victory.
Analysis of Cincinnati’s Early-Season Coaching Challenges
On Thursday’s edition of First Take, commentator Stephen A. Smith criticized the Bengals’ coaching staff for their poor starts in the first two weeks of recent seasons. He questioned their offseason and preseason preparation, emphasizing the strong offensive talent on the roster and the expectation for better early results.
“I think there needs to be an investigation into the coaching staff and the assistant analytics,” Smith said. “What the hell are you doing in the offseason and during the preseason that you can’t start out the first couple of weeks of a season winning a game with Joe Burrow as your quarterback, with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as your wideouts over these last several years? That’s how they started. Why? Why is it that you don’t start playing football until mid-September when training camp starts in July?” —Stephen A. Smith, Sports Commentator
Looking Ahead: Jaguars’ Early Season Schedule
The Jaguars open their 2024 campaign with a home game against the Carolina Panthers on September 7, before heading to Cincinnati for the pivotal Week 2 matchup. The Bengals game will serve as a benchmark for both teams, with momentum on the line early in the NFL season.
Jacksonville will need to prepare its defense rigorously to contain Burrow and his weapons, while Tennessee aims to protect rookie cornerback Hunter from heavy exposure against one of the league’s most potent offenses.
As both teams focus on optimizing their rosters and strategies during the preseason, Joe Burrow’s performance stands as an early alert for the Jaguars that the Bengals have sharpened their attack and are ready to challenge their division rival with intensity.