The Game at Jacksonville is for all the Marbles

[Fan_in_Kettering]

Here it is, Bengaldom: Make or break for Cincinnati in 2017. The game in Jacksonville will mean playoffs or pouting, winning or waiting, and more. Win this game and get to 4-4 at the halfway point in the season and anything is possible. The AFC is weak this year so a 9-7 record just might sneak the Bengals into the playoffs as a wild card team.

Jacksonville is good this year, especially on defense. Their pass rush might be the best in the league right now which is bad news because Cincinnati’s offensive line is made up of five ineptly coached turnstiles. It’s going to be up to Joe Mixon to win this game for Cincinnati. He’ll need to run to the edges and catch some slants. Forget the deep ball to AJ Green tomorrow because Andy Dalton won’t have time to throw anything beyond a quick slant or bubble screen.

Paul Guenther has his work cut out for him too. Blake Bortles isn’t impressive but he’s serviceable but the problem is Leonard Fournette. Keeping the ball out if his hands on third and short will be crucial.

I don’t see a blowout for either team and I predict a close game. The Bengals will need to score at least 27 points to beat the Jaguars.