clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Jaguars vs. Bengals: Cincinnati receivers a concern

The Jacksonville Jaguars are concerned about how to cover the talented receivers on the Cincinnati Bengals offense.

Paul Frederiksen-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire

The Jacksonville Jaguars defense has struggled defending the pass through the first three weeks of the season. Part of that has come from dealing with injuries at the linebacker and cornerback position, and the other part has come from the Jaguars non-existent pass rush.

On Sunday, the Jaguars will be facing a Cincinnati Bengals team who averages 291 yards through the air per game, which ranks them fourth overall in the NFL. One reason for that is Andy Dalton's play, but the big reason is the Bengals are loaded at wide receiver.

"That’s the challenge," Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey told reporters Wednesday about covering the Bengals receivers. "I’ve been a part of an offense like that. It’s very difficult to find. You can’t double everybody. Somebody is going to be singled up somewhere, even in the zone coverages."

Second-year receiver A.J. Green is building off his fantastic rookie season and already has over 300 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Andrew Hawkins and Armon Binns (a former Jaguar...) are tied for the second most receptions on the team and both have over 150 receiving yards for the first three games.

"You’ve got to be able to get onto these guys. They’re all capable receivers and even man coverage and press," Mularkey said. "The one thing, especially Hawkins, that is very dangerous is yards after to catch. He’s got 130 yards after the catch, very elusive. So, we’ll have our work cut out for us with these guys."