Jaguars vs Bengals Odds, Lines, and Picks for Week 4 TNF
- The 2-1 Cincinnati Bengals are 7.5-point home favorites over the 0-3 Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4 of the NFL’s Thursday Night Football showcase
- TNF Betting Record: 0-0 ML; 1-1 ATS; 0-1 O/U; -1 unit
- Cinci has won four of six overall and three of four at home against Jacksonville
The Cincinnati Bengals were once where the Jacksonville Jaguars are right now. However, don’t go expecting Cincinnati to feel sorry for Jacksonville as they play host to the hapless Jags in the NFL’s Week 4 TFN clash.
Off to a 2-1 start, the Bengals are very much positioned to launch the year 3-1 for the first time since 2018, facing a Jaguars squad that’s been worth every bit of their 0-3 record.
Cincinnati is a 7.5-point home favorite over winless Jacksonville. The Jaguars are also 0-3 against the spread this season.
Jaguars vs Bengals Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +290 | +7.5 (-112) | O 46 (-110) |
| Cincinnati Bengals | -360 | -7.5 (-108) | U 46 (-110) |
Odds as of September 29th at FanDuel.
Kickoff at Paul Brown Stadium is set for 8:20pm ET. In the weather forecast are clear skies, 6 mph wind, and a temperature of 77 degrees.
Line Dancing
Cincinnati was a 7-point pick in the opening line and that almost immediately surged to the current line of Bengals -7.5. Some 80% of those betting against the spread are backing the Bengals.
Well at least next Thursday will be better.
Checks schedule:
Jaguars vs Bengals pic.twitter.com/QlgRglgHEA
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) September 24, 2021
The Bengals’ moneyline has moved from -335 to -360. The splits on wagers here show 72% of the moneyline bets are on the Bengals.
There’s been no movement in the total of 46. That’s reflected in the wagering, which is almost split down the middle. Of all public bets, 54% are on the Over.
One-v-One
It’s a battle of the last two first-overall picks in the NFL Draft, as Bengals QB Joe Burrow (2020) and Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (2021) go head-to-head for the first time in the NFL. The last time they faced each other in the 2020 CFP championship game, Burrow and LSU dissected Lawrence and Clemson, 42-25.
Sophomore Burrow seems to be figuring out the NFL game. He’s 12th in the league in passer rating (105.4), just behind some guy named Tom Brady. Burrow’s seven touchdown passes leave him in a group tied for fifth that includes the likes of Russell Wilson, Josh Allen and Kyler Murray.
🚨Burrow vs. Lawrence: Round 2🚨
Jaguars at Bengals (-7) on TNF 🤙pic.twitter.com/gsLVZwChHv
— PFF NFL Podcast (@PFFNFLPod) September 28, 2021
The Bengals are also learning how to protect their prize possession. Burrow was untouched in Sunday’s 24-10 win at Pittsburgh. He was sacked five times in each of Cinci’s first two games. Against a Jacksonville pass rush ranked 31st in the NFL in sacks (four), Burrow should again find himself with free reign to operate.
Lawrence, on the other hand, better pack his running shoes. The Bengals sacked Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger four times and pressured him 17 times. The rookie has been picked off an NFL-high seven times.
Urban Legend
Based on his aggressive approach on offense, Urban Meyer must think he’s still coaching Ohio State against Northern Illinois. The early returns are suggesting that Meyer may fall in alongside Lou Holtz, Butch Davis and Bud Wilkinson as college football coaching legends who couldn’t adapt to the NFL.
Kliff Kingsbury, reacting to Urban Meyer’s comment that coaching in the NFL is like playing Alabama every week.
“I coached at Texas Tech. Every week felt like (playing) the Dallas Cowboys.”
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) September 24, 2021
He needs to simplify the passing game while rookie Lawrence learns to read complex NFL defenses. And his refusal to run the ball more is flat-out puzzling. Jags RB James Robinson is fourth in the league in yards per carry (5.2). But he’s 27th in attempts (31).
Injury Report
The Bengals have concerns on the right side of their offensive line and in their secondary. Guard Xavier Su’a-Filo (knee) and tackle Riley Reiff (ankle) are both listed as questionable. Right cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (groin) and free safety Jessie Bates III (neck) are also questionable.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins (shoulder) did not practice today. CB Chidobe Awuzie (groin), S Jessie Bates (neck), OL Xavier Su'a-Filo (knee) also didn't practice.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) September 29, 2021
Bengals receiver Tee Higgins (shoulder), Lawrence’s Clemson teammate, is listed as questionable as well.
For the Jaguars, left guard Andrew Norwell (ankle) and right defensive end Roy Robertson Harris (ankle) are questionable.
Trendspotting
Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are picking up where they left off at LSU. Chase leads all NFL rookies with four TD receptions.
In his previous game facing the Jaguars, Bengals RB Joe Mixon went off for 151 yards on the ground and scored three TDs.
The NFL’s top rushing leaders through Week 3 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/bdzORuXbUi
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 28, 2021
Despite going 1-15 last season, Jacksonville was a solid 7-9 ATS last season. Cinci could be due for a letdown following last week’s emotional win at Pittsburgh. Take the points.
Best bet: Jacksonville Jaguars +7.5 (-112)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
