Jaguars’ Week 13: Monday Night Battle

For the second time in 2023, the Jaguars have a primetime game. The Jaguars’ week 13 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals takes place in Jacksonville, making for the first primetime game in Jacksonville in 2023. Before the season, this was a matchup that was going to be a tough one for the Jaguars. Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Joe Mixon make up an incredibly dynamic offense. Not to mention an incredibly well-coached defense from Lou Anarumo.

Now, after the Bengals have dealt with a ton of injuries, including their franchise quarterback, the Jaguars have a much easier path to a win over the Bengals. The loss of Joe Burrow has completely changed the complexion of the Jaguars’ week 13 matchup. Instead of a heavyweight bout between young franchise quarterbacks, it’ll instead be a matchup that heavily leans in favor of Jacksonville.

But the game is still yet to be played, and there are plenty of intriguing storylines to follow. Whether it’s the injuries plaguing both teams in different ways, or the key matchups between the Jaguars and Bengals; there’s a lot to look forward to in the Jaguars’ week 13 matchup.

Jaguars’ Week 13: 2 Key Matchups to Watch

Evan Engram vs. Bengals Linebackers and Safeties

For the first time during the 2023 season, it might be Evan Engram week. He’s had his chances in the past for big days but has been overshadowed or come up short throughout the season. However, there might not be a better time to rebound than in the Jaguars’ week 13 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Especially now that Engram’s been named the Jaguars’ sixth captain.

The main reason why this is such a pivotal matchup to watch is due to how the Bengals have been covering tight ends. Or rather, how they’ve been beaten by them in the 2023 season. During the 2023 season, tight ends are averaging 70.8 receiving yards against the Bengals, which is good for second most in the league. The Bengals are allowing 779 receiving yards to tight ends in the 2023 NFL season.

Evan Engram should be a major factor in the Jaguars’ week 13 matchup, as there might not be a better time for the Jaguars’ tight end to have his best game of the season. While allowing the second most yards, the Bengals aren’t in the top five teams for most targets to the tight end position. This means that Engram has a chance to put up some high volume, and high efficiency numbers against a struggling Bengals defense.

Another factor to consider with the matchup between Evan Engram and the Bengals’ defense is that Engram has yet to have a touchdown in the 2023 season. He’s had multiple opportunities but has fallen short or had great defense stop him from hitting pay-dirt. With the Jaguars’ week 13 matchup heavily favoring Evan Engram, he’s the focal point of the best offensive matchup in the Jaguars’ week 13 matchup against the Bengals.

Jaguars Cornerbacks vs. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd

In what’s become a common theme for the Jaguars in the 2023 season, the Jaguars cornerbacks will be tasked with containing one of the best wide receiver rooms in the NFL. Of course, it can’t be ignored that Joe Burrow won’t be throwing to such a star-studded receiving corps, especially with Tee Higgins returning to the Bengals for the first time since week nine. But  Jake Browning is a serviceable backup, and shouldn’t be taken lightly with an elite receiving corps.

It’s tempting to write the Bengals off with Jake Browning, but Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins can elevate Browning to a more than competent quarterback level. Tee Higgins isn’t the only player from this matchup that’s expected to return either. Tyson Campbell is on track to play in the Jaguars’ week 13 matchup against the Bengals.

A return to action for Tyson Campbell would mean the Jaguars have their main cornerback room back. Tyson Campbell, Darious Williams, and Tre Herndon would all be good to go in one of the toughest matchups these three will face all season. It’s a huge boon for both teams to have one of their stars back, and in a matchup against one another, it’ll be a very intriguing matchup to watch all game long.

Week 13 Injury Reports

Jaguars’ Week 13 Injury Report

• CB Tyson Campbell (Hamstring) – Questionable
• RB Travis Etienne Jr. (Ribs) – Questionable
• TE Luke Farrell (Toe) – Questionable
• TE Brenton Strange (Foot) – Questionable

It’s been alluded to by Doug Pederson that Travis Etienne Jr. will suit up against the Bengals, which would be a huge benefit for the Jaguars to not be down one of their premier playmakers on offense.

Tyson Campbell also is on track to play, which is much needed in a matchup against some of the best wide receivers in the NFL.

Luke Farrell and Brenton Strange being questionable could mean that the Jaguars are down to just Evan Engram at tight end. While that’s far from ideal, it seems like Farrell has more of a chance to play than Strange. Unfortunately, the Brenton Strange injury came up during practice according to head coach Doug Pederson.

Of the players listed on the injury report, Brenton Strange is the most likely to miss the Jaguars’ week 13 matchup against the Bengals.

Bengals’ Week 13 Injury Report

• CB Chidobe Awuzie (Illness) – No Designation
• WR Tee Higgins (Hamstring/Ankle) – No Designation
• DE Trey Hendrickson (Rest) – No Designation
• LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (Rest) – No Designation
• DT B.J. Hill (Rest) – No Designation
• DE Sam Hubbard (Rest) – No Designation
• OT D’Ante Smith (Knee) – Questionable
• CB Cam Taylor-Britt (Quad/Ankle) – OUT
• QB Jake Browning (Right Wrist) – No Designation
• TE Tanner Hudson (Finger) – No Designation
• TE Drew Sample (Foot) – No Designation
• LB Logan Wilson (Ankle/Foot) – No Designation
• DT Jay Tufele (Illness) – Questionable

It’s a lengthy injury report for the Bengals, but the majority of the report is reserved for players who are on track to play. There are a couple of noteworthy injuries to monitor for the Bengals though. The two questionable players are OT D’Ante Smith and DT Jay Tufele. Smith is a reserve offensive lineman for the Bengals and won’t have a huge impact on the Jaguars’ week 13 matchup. Jay Tufele is in a similar position, where he’s solid depth but would not be a major missing piece for the Bengals on gameday.

The real big injury for the Jaguars’ week 13 matchup is cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt. He was on track to play for the Bengals, but similarly to Brenton Strange, he suffered an injury in practice. The injury to Cam Taylor-Britt is a sprained ankle and will force the Bengals starting cornerback to miss the primetime affair against the Jaguars on Monday night.

Final Predictions

Coming off a massive win against the Houston Texans, the Jaguars have a chance to further increase their AFC South title odds. With an advantage over a banged-up Bengals team, the Jaguars’ week 13 matchup should go the Jaguars’ way. In the preseason predictions article, I had the Jaguars dropping this matchup to the Bengals. The injury to Joe Burrow, combined with the impressive play from the Jaguars coming off a rough loss to the 49ers has many, including myself, convinced that Jacksonville can be repeat division winners in the AFC South, let alone win the Jaguars’ week 13 matchup.

With the injuries the Bengals are suffering from, and the momentum the Jaguars have begun to ride, I have the Jaguars beating the Bengals on Monday night football. A win over Cincinnati would put the Jaguars tied atop the AFC with nine wins and four losses. While not in the division, winning against the Bengals would be a huge boost to the odds the Jaguars can make a deep playoff run.