The Jacksonville Jaguars come into Sunday’s game at EverBank Field with the best pass rush in the league, one that has produced an NFL-best 33 sacks while holding opponents to an average of 161.7 passing yards per game, also a league best.
›› Another Bengals starter added to injury report
And the Jaguars offense owns the league’s No. 1 rushing attack, one that averages 169 yards per game and is spearheaded by rookie running back Leonard Fournette. The No. 4 overall pick in the draft is tied for the league lead with six rushing touchdowns, and he ranks sixth in rushing yards with 596.
“Their goal is to run the football, and that’s what they do,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. “And they’re doing it very well.”
In addition to Fournette, the Jaguars have Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon in the backfield and they’re averaging 34 runs per game, what Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther called “traditional, old-school NFL football.”
Follow Jay Morrison on Twitter
“We have to do a great job tackling, we have to do a great job with our assignments throughout – no question,” Lewis said. “I would say that there’s a different mentality. The key element is to play well on first and second downs and to get in situations where their down is more in our advantage, which is the same thing on the other side of the football.”
As is the case with rushing attack, the Jacksonville pass rush is a straight-forward, no-frills scheme.
›› AJ McCarron able to laugh about botched trade to Browns
“They have some stunts, but it’s mostly a four-man rush,” Bengals offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said. “When you can get to the passer with a four-man line, it allows you to cover with everyone else and that’s what they’re doing really well. It’s a big task ahead of us.”
It’s especially big because protecting quarterback Andy Dalton is not something the Bengals offense has done well this season.
›› Transcript from Marvin Lewis’ weekly press conference
The offensive line has allowed 22 sacks through seven games, which puts it on pace for 50 this season. The Bengals have allowed at least one in every game and rank 30th in sacks allowed per pass attempt.
Indianapolis had three sacks last week and another eight quarterback hits, many of which came when the Bengals failed to pick up stunts and twists, resulting in a lot of free runners taking shots on Dalton.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Like our Cincinnati Bengals News Now Facebook page
“We need to know what we’re doing and what they’re doing, and then react,” Dalton said. “We just need to execute and make sure we get our job done.
“They’re talented,” he added, referring to the Jaguars. “It’s not just one guy that’s getting to the quarterback. Obviously there are a lot factors going into it. For me, I’ve got to be on time with everything we do, because you never know how much time you will have because of how talented they are.”
›› 5 things Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said about facing the Bengals
Led by defensive ends Calais Campbell (10) and Yannick Ngakoue (6.5), Jacksonville has recorded 10 sacks in a game twice this year, including its most recent outing Oct. 22 at Indianapolis in a 27-0 win.
The most Dalton ever has been sacked is seven times. In fact, the Bengals are 4-0 when he’s been sacked six or more times. But that’s a trend which is unlikely to continue.
The numbers the Bengals would like to see if they can is 19-3, Dalton’s record when the opponent fails to record a sack.
But that will be a difficult challenge against a team that’s been dubbed “Sacksonville” this year.
“This football team is really put together well,” Lewis said. “They’ve restocked, retooled the defensive front over the last couple seasons. They’ve added players that are being very productive right now. Their linebackers are very smart and athletic, and they’ve added some guys in the secondary.
“It’s well-put together, and we’ve got our work cut out,” he continued. “That’s what it should be at this point in the season – ‘Go make hay.’”
About the Author