Jags Can't Catch Up, Fall to Bengals, 33-23: 3 Things We Learned

In most cases, an NFL team is what it record indicates. With only one win on the season and eight losses on the other side of the ledger, it’s hard to argue the team is nothing more than a young bunch of football players learning to play together as a team and win a few football games.

The Cincinnati Bengals are a team of seasoned veterans that allowed a rookie running back take the reins and run through the Jaguars defense on its way to a 33-23 win. While the score may not indicate the play by both teams, Jacksonville had fought its way back into the ballgame during the second half until a late interception by Blake Bortles did the Jaguars in.

Another rookie mistake.

Jeremy Hill pulled the Bengals through a game that was sloppy all-around and still in doubt until his big play. The rookie ran for a career-high 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns on Sunday, including a 60-yarder in the fourth quarter that helped the Cincinnati Bengals hold on for the win.

The Jaguars special teams unit did not help the team much on Sunday. A partially blocked punt led to a safety and a kick out of bounds following a touchdown by Jacksonville to cut the lead to 26-23 gave the Bengals the momentum they needed to seal the victory. Cincinnati started from their own 40 yard line on the final scoring drive. Andy Dalton handed the ball to the rookie, who ran up the middle for 60 yards to out the game away.

Dalton was not great in the game, as he threw for 233 yards and two interceptions but he managed the game when it counted, connecting with both Mohammed Sanu and AJ Green for touchdowns during the game.

Here are three things we learned from another Jaguars loss.

CLOSE, BUT NOT A WIN

Regardless of the late interception thrown by Blake Bortles, this is a game that was determined in the second quarter. According Jaguars.com, The Bengals turned a 3-0 deficit into a 12-3 lead. They did so because of the touchdown pass to Mohammed Sanu, but mostly because of the struggles of the Jaguars’ special teams. The tipped punt set up a 49-yard field goal drive and the blocked punt by Taylor Mays was good for a safety. When the Bengals scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half, they had 19 consecutive points and a 16-point lead they never fully relinquished.

ROBINSON HAD A GOOD GAME

The Jaguars used both Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart o keep the Cincinnati running game off balance for the majority of the game.

Robinson just missed his third straight 100-yard game, gaining 94 yards and a score in the contest. The Jaguars used Gerhart effectively when they handed him the ball. He was also effective in the passing game, catching three passes for 49 yards. Allen Hurns was the highlight reel for the afternoon, hauling in seven passes for 112 yards and two scores on the afternoon.

GAME NOTES…

Bengals right tackle Andre Smith sprained his left ankle in the first half, returned before halftime but sat out the second half. Cornerback Leon Hall was being evaluated for a concussion in the second half. Hill missed a series in the first half after twisting his left knee. ... Jaguars guard Brandon Linder (shoulder), Josh Evans (shoulder) and linebacker Jeremiah George (sprained ankle) left the game and didn't return. ... Hill's 154 yards were the most by a Bengals running back since Cedric Benson ran for 198 yards in a 45-10 win over Chicago on Oct. 25, 2009.