Jacksonville Jaguars hold off Bengals, 22-17; Lawrence gets first win
The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Cincinnati Bengals 22-17 in Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2026, as Trevor Lawrence got his first win over the Bengals. Jacksonville built a lead with a mix of field goals and a second-quarter touchdown and held on in the fourth quarter. The game summary and scoring plays are from the AP.
Jacksonville opened the scoring when kicker Cam Little made a 55-yard field goal in the first quarter. Cincinnati answered with a 29-yard field goal by Evan McPherson early in the second quarter, and Little followed with a 28-yarder later in the period. Lawrence then connected with Brian Thomas Jr. for a 7-yard touchdown with 1:23 remaining in the half. Little’s extra point gave the Jaguars a 10-3 halftime lead.
Cincinnati cut into the lead early in the third quarter when Joe Burrow threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Mike Gesicki, and McPherson’s kick made it a one-possession game. Little then drilled a 54-yard field goal with three minutes remaining in the third to restore a multi-score margin for Jacksonville. Those kicks helped the Jaguars carry momentum into the fourth quarter.
Jacksonville extended its advantage in the fourth when Chris Rodriguez Jr. scored on a 25-yard run at 6:35, though the two-point pass attempt failed and the Jaguars led 22-10. Cincinnati responded with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Burrow at 3:28 of the fourth, and McPherson’s kick pulled the Bengals to 22-17. The Bengals did not score again, and Jacksonville held on for the one-score victory.
The win moved the Jacksonville Jaguars to 3-1 on the season while the Cincinnati Bengals fell to 2-2, according to the AP game summary. Little finished with three field goals, from 55, 28 and 54 yards, and McPherson had one field goal and two extra points for Cincinnati. Lawrence recorded his first win over the Bengals in the matchup on Oct. 4, 2026.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Jacksonville’s victory hinged on long-range kicking and a timely rushing score late in the game. Cam Little’s three field goals from 55, 28 and 54 yards were decisive in a tight contest. Chris Rodriguez Jr.’s 25-yard touchdown provided a needed cushion in the fourth quarter. The Jaguars avoided a late collapse in Cincinnati for the second consecutive season.