Editor: Joe Bryant.
Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Bobby Elder, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout.
Jacksonville 29 at Cincinnati 15
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Mark Brunell finished with some fine numbers, once the Jaguars neutralized the blitzing Bengals. Against the blitz, Brunell effectively found Jimmy Smith in single coverage or Fred Taylor on the screen.
Fred Taylor had a solid game rushing and received several dump passes from Brunell.
Stacey Mack got his carries late with the game in hand.
Jimmy Smith took advantage of the Bengals' banged up secondary. Drew a holding call when he was overthrown going down the sideline. The ball was deflected away on comeback pattern. He caught everything else thrown his way.
Kevin Lockett broke several tackles on a screen pass for a touchdown. He also dropped a wide-open deep sideline pass that Brunell had placed right in the breadbasket.
Bobby Shaw caught the only two passes thrown to him.
Cincinnati Bengals:
Jon Kitna played an efficient game. A lot of the incompletions came late as the Bengals tried to come back from a two-touchdown deficit. The Bengals were 6-9 on third-down conversions in the first half, but only 1-8 the rest of the way. Kitna had five passes knocked down by defensive linemen.
Corey Dillon worked hard against the tough defensive front of the Jaguars, with modest results. Was given the ball three consecutive times in a goal-to-go situation without a payoff. Dropped a two-point conversion pass attempt.
Chad Johnson got a lot of opportunities but only came out with four catches. He short-armed a catchable attempt and was out-positioned on another out route. Was underthrown on a medium hitch. He could not come down with a diving catch that Kitna led too much and on a quick out attempt. He lost his footing on a route at the goal line and dropped another one in the end zone. He also drew a pass interference penalty on a 14-yard crossing route.
Peter Warrick did not play due to a chest injury.
Ron Dugans did not adjust to the ball on his first attempt while wide open 25 yards downfield. Kitna came back to him often for six completions. He was underthrown on the deep interception and was missed on a medium hitch. Dugans was called for a controversial offensive pass interference in the end zone and was then mugged in the end zone a couple of plays later, but no call.
WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW
Jacksonville Jaguars
QB: Mark Brunell - Finished with some fine numbers, once the Jaguars neutralized the blitzing Bengals. Against the blitz, Brunell effectively found Smith in single coverage or Taylor on the screen.
RB: Fred Taylor - Had a solid game rushing and received several dump passes from Brunell.
Stacey Mack - Got his carries late with the game in hand.
WR: Jimmy Smith - Took advantage of the Bengals' banged up secondary. Drew a holding call when he was overthrown going down the sideline. The ball was deflected away on comeback pattern. He caught everything else thrown his way.
Bobby Shaw - Caught the only two passes thrown to him.
Kevin Lockett - Broke several tackles on a screen pass for a touchdown. He also dropped a wide-open deep sideline pass that Brunell had placed right in the breadbasket.
TE: Kyle Brady - Had a pass deflected away from him at the goal line.
Pete Mitchell - Dropped an outlet pass in the red zone.
Jaguars Pass Defense: The inside rush led by Marcus Stroud swatted away five passes. The shaky corner play opposite Jason Craft was exposed by Kitna.
Jaguars Rush Defense: John Henderson stuffed the middle, forcing Dillon to the outside where Wali Rainer and the rest of the linebackers took care of him.
Jaguars Special Teams: Danny Boyd was inconsistent on his kickoffs. On occasion he barely got it inside the 20.
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Cincinnati Bengals
QB: Jon Kitna - Played an efficient game. A lot of the incompletions came late as the Bengals tried to come back from a two-touchdown deficit. The Bengals were 6-9 on third-down conversions in the first half, but only 1-8 the rest of the way. Kitna had five passes knocked down by defensive linemen.
RB: Corey Dillon - Had another frustrating day. He worked hard against the tough defensive front of the Jaguars, with modest results. Was given the ball three consecutive times in a goal-to-go situation without a payoff. Dropped a two-point conversion pass attempt.
Brandon Bennett - Had a pass tipped away in the end zone and another broken up on fourth and two.
Lorenzo Neal - Made a couple catches and had a dump pass to him knocked down at the line.
WR: Chad Johnson - Got a lot of opportunities but only came out with four catches. He short-armed a catchable attempt and was out-positioned on another out route. Was underthrown on a medium hitch. He could not come down with a diving catch that Kitna led too much and on a quick out attempt. He lost his footing on a route at the goal line and dropped another one in the end zone. He also drew a pass interference penalty on a 14-yard crossing route.
Peter Warrick - Did not play due to a chest injury.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Did not get many looks. Made some nice moves to get to the one-foot line on a 15-yard gain. Had a 34-yard punt return.
Ron Dugans - Did not adjust to the ball on his first attempt while wide open 25 yards downfield. Kitna came back to him often for six completions. He was underthrown on the deep interception and was missed on a medium hitch. Dugans was called for a controversial offensive pass interference in the end zone and was then mugged in the end zone a couple of plays later, but no call.
TE: Matt Schobel - The rookie is starting to become part of the offense. Had a ball deflected away on a short hitch.
Bengals Pass Defense: Starting cornerback Artrell Hawkins was out with a thigh injury. Kevin Kaesviharn was inconsistent in his place. Justin Smith provide a solid pass rush along with the blitzes.
Bengals Rush Defense: Played well to contain Taylor. Takeo Spikes played his usual inspired game.
Bengals Special Teams: Neil Rackers was solid on his field goals, including a 51-yarder. However, he did not show a strong leg on kickoffs. Houshmandzadeh had one nice return of 34.