Penalties wiped out a couple of would-be touchdowns for the Jaguars in the first half of Sunday’s game in Cincinnati, but they finally got one to stick before halftime.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence found wide receiver Brian Thomas in the end zone with 1:23 left to play in the half and the score extended the Jaguars’ lead to 13-3 over the Bengals. The score came after the defense forced its first turnover of the day.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow tried a pass under pressure from Josh Hines-Allen and cornerback Jourdan Lewis picked it off to set the Jags up in the red zone. After running back Bhayshul Tuten had his second touchdown taken off the board due to a holding penalty, the Jags were able to rebound on the pass to Thomas.
The Bengals got the ball back, but had no timeouts left and time ran out after an illegal hands to the face penalty by Dylan Fairchild. The two teams have combined for 16 penalties for 149 yards, but the bigger issue for the Bengals is the absence of wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
Chase has not returned since going for a concussion evaluation in the second quarter. The team has only called him questionable, but it feels like they’re going to have to figure out a way to come back without him.