Penalties wiped out several potential touchdowns for the Jaguars in the first half of Sunday’s game in Cincinnati, but they finally got one before halftime.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence found wide receiver Brian Thomas in the end zone with 1:23 left in the half and the score extended the Jaguars’ lead to 13-3 over the Bengals. The score came after the defense forced the first turnover of the day.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow attempted a pass under pressure from Josh Hines-Allen and cornerback Jourdan Lewis picked it off to put the Jags in the red zone. After a punt return to Bhayshul Tuten, who had his second punt taken off the board due to a penalty, the Jags were able to pull away on Thomas’ pass.
The Bengals got the ball back, but had no timeouts and time expired on an illegal handing penalty by Dylan Fairchild. The two teams have combined for 16 penalties for 149 yards, but the biggest issue for the Bengals is the absence of wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
Chase has not returned since he went for a concussion evaluation in the second quarter. The team has only listed him as questionable, but it looks like they will have to find a way to bounce back without him.