Bengals vs. Jaguars: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread, Radio, Game Time & More

The Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars will meet in an AFC showdown in Week 4 of the 2012 NFL season.

The Bengals need to win games against teams like Jacksonville in order to keep pace in their difficult division that includes the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. But the Jaguars will be intent on proving that no road game in the NFL is easy. 

With the craziness that characterized last week in the NFL, no result is guaranteed, even though the Bengals will be favored in this matchup.

Here is everything you need to know about the game.

Where: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.

When: Sunday, September 30, 4:05 p.m. ET

Watch: CBS

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL Audio Pass

Listen: ESPN 1530 AM, Sirius 94 (Cincinnati), Sirius 128 (Jacksonville)

Spread: Bengals -2.5 (according to Sports Book)

Bengals Injuries (via ESPN, as of Sep. 26)

TE Donald Lee, Questionable, Quad

CB Leon Hall, Questionable, Calf

  

Jaguars Injuries (via ESPN, as of Sep. 26)

DE Austen Lane, Questionable, Knee

CB Kevin Rutland, Questionable, Concussion

RB Montell Owens, Questionable, Concussion

WR Laurent Robinson, Questionable, Concussion

LB Daryl Smith, Out, Groin

DE George Selvie, Questionable, Knee

CB Rashad Jennings, Questionable, Knee

What’s At Stake

The Bengals are in the unfortunate position of having to play one quarter of their games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens every year. If they cannot go on the road and beat teams like Jacksonville, they have no hope of making the postseason again.

For the Jaguars, it is likely that only pride is at stake. This does not appear to be a team with a shot at the playoffs, but winning at home is always a morale boost.

Fantasy Impact 

Maurice Jones-Drew is rebuilding his reputation as a fantasy football stud. With 28 carries, 177 yards and a touchdown last week against the Colts, he has taken a huge step. Expect him to continue producing at a high level against Cincinnati.

For the Bengals, A.J. Green is currently second in the league in receiving yards. He is an elite receiver and will continue to justify that label on Sunday.

Bengals Player to Watch: A.J. Green, Wide Receiver

In this game, both of the fantasy stars are hugely important to their team’s chances of winning games. Green’s size and athleticism make him nearly impossible to guard.

He is unquestionably quarterback Andy Dalton’s favorite target and he will be the Bengal’s most-used offensive weapon. If Green has a big game, Cincinnati will earn another victory.

Jaguars Player to Watch: Maurice Jones-Drew, Running Back

While Blaine Gabbert is improving, Jones-Drew is still far and away the most important player on the Jacksonville offense. He currently is second in the league with 314 rushing yards.

Despite his holdout, Jones-Drew is well on his way to defending his rushing title. He will once again gain far more than 1,000 yards on the ground this season.

What They’re Saying

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that the Bengals offense is for real, and that it may be the best unit the franchise has ever seen.

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Sunday’s 38-31 victory over Washington marked the first time in seven seasons that the Bengals have had two straight games where they have scored over 30 points.

To show how far the offense has progressed, the Elias Sports Bureau says this is the first time the Bengals have had four receivers with 50-plus yards in consecutive games within one season.

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Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union believes that the Jaguars need to trust in their first-round draft pick from a season ago, and let him show off his arm.

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Sunday's dramatic 22-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts was a huge emotional lift, but it doesn't wipe away the fact that this team must be more aggressive in attacking defenses through the air. Too many times No. 11, Gabbert, finds himself becoming Captain Checkdown, which explains why his 5.92 yards per attempt is third-lowest in the NFL.

 

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Key Matchup: Sophomore Quarterbacks Duel 

In the 2011 NFL draft, Blaine Gabbert was taken 10th overall by the Jaguars, and Andy Dalton was picked with the Bengals’ second-round choice. Both players were thrown into the fire as rookies and are now looking to improve in their sophomore campaigns.

Even though Gabbert was rated higher heading into the draft, Dalton has unquestionably been the better player thus far. Both passers will be looking to continue proving that they are franchise quarterbacks and will be under center for years to come.

Prediction: Cincinnati 31, Jacksonville 14

The Cincinnati offense will keep rolling while Jacksonville finds it difficult to move the ball against a tough Bengals defense.