The Jacksonville Jaguars enter Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals as slight underdogs. And, despite a solid Week 1 performance by a previously untested offensive line, quarterback Trevor Lawrence left a lot on the field. His stat line was middling at best, which led Black and Teal's Jeff Tice to wonder whether he's a glorified game manager.
And you know what? He's not wrong. Despite confidence from the team's brass, a game manager might not get it done against the Joe Burrow-led Cincinnati Bengals. The LSU alum is bolstered by a stellar receiving corps, and I expect to see the scoreboard reflecting that, regardless of the lackluster scoring in their Week 1 outing against the Cleveland Browns.
Lawrence included, here are a handful of players who must come through if the Jaguars want to walk away with a victory in Week 2.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence
We already touched on this, so I won't belabor it here: Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has to do more than manage the game to beat the Cincinnati Bengals. Even with a strong run game and a solid defensive outing (see more below), he's going to have to make the plays we know he's capable of.
Lawrence has elite talent in rookie Travis Hunter and second-year veteran Brian Thomas Jr. He has to get them the ball in space in order to win this game.
Related: Encouraging reviews prove confidence in Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence hasn't wavered
Jaguars DBs Jourdan Lewis & Eric Murray
As ESPN's Michael DiRocco rightfully points out, the Jaguars' defense is "facing arguably the NFL's best receiver duo in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins." With a solid Week 1 showing from cornerback Jourdan Lewis and safety Eric Murray, the secondary will need to play up their capabilities if they expect to keep Chase and Higgins in check. Fans will want to see another empowered, aggressive, and highly physical performance.
A few takeaways would be nice, as well.
Jaguars defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen
The Bengals didn't win Week 1 on the arm of Joe Burrow. They tallied an incredible -18 yards in the fourth quarter (yes, I said negative), and No. 9 only threw for 113 yards total. But remember: Burrow is one of the best in the league for a reason. He rarely has two bad games in a row. In fact, following games where he threw under 200 yards, he averages almost 300 yards and two touchdowns. Expect to see the gunslinger version of Burrow this Sunday.
While we've already discussed the secondary's role in containing the league's top receiving duo, it will be up to the defensive line—specifically defensive ends Walker and Hines-Allen—to ensure Burrow doesn't have the time to sit back and throw the ball.
And though Hines-Allen was a pressure-generating machine in Week 1, Burrow has some of the best stats while under pressure. That means the Jaguars' pass-rushing pair will need to get home and not just chase the quarterback around the backfield.
They need sacks, not pressures.
Related: Crucial matchup will be deciding factor for Jaguars to upset Bengals in Week 2
Final thoughts
It takes an entire team to win football games, though often the play of a few players can elevate those around them. That's what needs to happen: Lawrence, the secondary, and Hines-Allen and Walker must rise to the occasion and have a standout game against a deceptively strong Bengals team.
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