Jaguars vs. Bengals: 5 Players to Watch

Oh, what could have been.

When the schedule was initially released, this was one of the games I was most looking forward to. A showdown between two of the AFC’s best teams and quarterbacks and on a Monday night no less. Unfortunately, we can only imagine what a game like that would have been like as Joe Burrow is out for the season with a wrist injury. No matter, this game is just as important and the Jaguars need to take care of business on primetime television.

Here are my five Jaguars to watch on Monday night against the Bengals.

D’Ernest Johnson

I fully expect Travis Etienne to play and get the majority of looks at tailback, however, I was pleasantly surprised by how D’Ernest Johnson played last week when filling in for Etienne. The Jaguars’ run-blocking has been medicore at best for the majority of this year, and it wasn’t much better for Johnson, who gained 19 yards on seven carries.

Notably, Johnson did convert some crucial third downs on the ground. Interestingly enough, it was his 42-yard screen pass that most surprised me. That came one week after his equally impressive 33-yard pickup on 4th down against the Titans. It’s huge for Jacksonville if he can fill in for Etienne and be an asset in the passing game as well.

Zay Jones

Zay Jones impact might not be seen in the box score, however, his return has opened the floodgates for the return of an explosive and dynamic Jaguars’ offense. With Jones on the field, Calvin Ridley has returned to dominance, catching 15 balls for 192 yards and three touchdowns the last two weeks.

This is the week that I think Zay Jones gets back involved. Jones was Lawrence’s top red-zone target early in the season before suffering his knee injury. I think we see that connection show up on Monday night and Jones gets his first touchdown since facing the Buffalo Bills.

Walker Little

Trent Baalkes’ acquisition of Ezra Cleveland looks genius now after the unfortunate knee injury to Cam Robinson. In steps Cleveland at left guard and Walker Little slides back over to his more natural position at tackle. Little had been struggling at guard in recent weeks so it will be seen if the switch back to tackle helps him settle back in.

The biggest change might be felt in the run game as Ezra Cleveland is ESPN Analytics’ 8th best run-blocking interior offensive lineman. The fans sure know the offensive line could use some help running the ball. Hopefully, Little plays like the young, talented tackle we know him to be and Lawrence can play back-to-back games without a sack.

Roy Robertson-Harris

I’ve been a bit disappointed in the Jaguars’ interior defensive lineman this year. DaVon Hamilton had the unfortunate back issue that has halted his season, crushing the impact of Jacksonville’s interior pass rush. Foley Fatukasi is a great run-defender but generating pressure isn’t his game.

It has left Roy Robertson-Harris to more or less fend for himself on the Jaguars' interior. Until this past Sunday, Robertson-Harris had managed just 0.5 sacks and no tackles for loss. That all changed against Houston as he, along with Josh Allen and Travon Walker, terrorized the Houston offensive line. Robertson-Harris finished with a sack and a season-high five pressures. The Jaguars will look for a repeat performance from Robertson-Harris against a weak Bengals line.

Darious Williams

It remains uncertain to what extent we will see Tyson Campbell on Monday night, however, we do know we will see Darious Williams, who will be asked to cover some of the league’s best receivers in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. With a suspect offensive line and a backup quarterback, it's a recipe for wayward throws and ill-advised decisions.

Who better to bring those in than the NFL’s pass-breakup leader Darious Wiliams? Williams has 13 pass breakups on the season and is tied for a team-high three interceptions. I don’t expect Browning to test the Jaguars’ deep very often, which likely means more looks in the short game and to the sidelines. Williams is just the guy to get his fourth interception Monday against the inexperienced Browning.