Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Week 7 live game day blog

The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4) are traveling north to play the Cincinnati Bengals (0-6), an old AFC Central rival that has yet to win a game this season. Jacksonville needs a win today — they can’t lose three straight and expect to compete for the division and, frankly, there are so many Cincinnati starters out that a loss would inexcusable.

Stay with us all through the day as we live blog the game as it happens, and feel free to join the conversation in the comments as the game progresses. We’ll have post-game coverage as well following the conclusion of the game.

How to watch

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Live blog

3:58 PM: Annnnd on the first play for the Bengals, after the kick off is nearly returned for a touchdown, Ronnie Harrison gets in on the party by jumping a Dalton pass and intercepting the ball with a return into Bengals territory. That should do it.

3:55 PM: TOUCHDOWN! The Bengals received the ball back following a Cooke punt, and on the ensuing drive Dalton lobs a ball up on an attempted screen and it’s plucked out of the air by Yannick Ngakoue and returned untouched for a Jaguars score. 24-10, Jags with 4:10 left in the game.

3:45 PM: Myles Jack picks off Dalton in the red zone as the Bengals were driving, and gets a huge stop for the Jags defense. Jags takes over at their 25 with 7 minutes left in the game.

3:32 PM: TOUCHDOWN! Minshew connects with Conley on a 51 yard catch and run that brings the Jags into goal to go territory, then hits pay dirt with a 3rd & goal throw to Keelan Cole for the touchdown. Jags go for two, and Minshew again finds Conley for the successful conversion. Jags jump back ahead 17-10, with just over 12 minutes left in the game.

3:23 PM: Following a quick three and out by the Jags, the Bengals move the ball on a defense that reverted to playing soft zone coverage and manuever the ball into field goal range that allows Cincy to take back the lead, 10-9 as we near the fourth quarter.

3:09 PM: The defense has played extremely well today, sans the ending drive of the first half. They force Cincy into another three and out, as rookie Josh Allen records a sack on Dalton on 3rd & 9. That’s Allen’s fifth sack on the season and third straight game with a sack.

3:03 PM: The Jags use the legs of Fournette to get down to the Bengals 27 yard line, before being forced to settle for a Lambo field goal, which is true from 37 yards out. Jags retake the lead, 9-7.

2:53 PM: After getting to midfield on the second half opening drive after a big reception from Dalton to Boyd, and a Tre Herndon pass interference call, DJ Hayden forces a fumble that’s recovered by Ronnie Harrison, and the Jags take over with good field position.

2:31 PM: Minshew orchestrates a nice drive that included chunk passes to All-Pro receiver Chris Conley and Westbrook, but are unable to punch it into the end zone. Lambo connects, and the Jags trail 7-6 as we enter half time.

2:24 PM: The Bengals drive down the field thanks to two long gains from someone named Alex Erickson and end the drive with a two yard throw from Andy Dalton to Joe Mixon in the end zone for a Bengals touchdown. Cincy leads 7-3, with 1:25 left in the half. Oy.

2:14 PM: Folks, there’s not a whole lot going on to report right now, other than the fact the Jags are dominating and yet not able to put any type of points to show for it other than the Lambo field goal. The Bengals currently are driving at the two-minute warning.

1:59 PM: And we have our first points of the game, as the Jags take good field position at their own 40 and drive down to the Bengals 8 yard line, mostly due to a 33 yard reception from Chark who tip-toed about 20 yards. Jags can’t punch it in, however, and settle for an automatic Josh Lambo field goal. 3-0, Jaguars in a game that should be 14-0 and looking towards the Jets next week, to be honest.

1:46 PM: It’s a punt fest right now in Cincy, folks. We’re at 12 minutes left in the first half and neither team has scored. Despite some good running by Fournette, a combination of poor protection and Minshew looking very hesitant in the pocket for a second straight week, has led to the Jags stumbling through this game thus far. The defense, however, has been phenomenal.

1:34 PM: Another strong defensive effort, including a 10 yard tackle for loss by Ngakoue on an end around attempt. However, the Jags take over for a second straight drive at their own 1 yard line.

1:20 PM: Both teams exchange punt following the first drive. The Jags defense forces a quick three and out, but a hands to the face penalty pushed the Jags back from their 40 to their own 25, and the offense stalls out in only a few plays. Bengals take over at their 45.

1:10 PM: Minshew and the offense seamlessly work their way down field, including a 29 yard dart from Gardner to Dede Westbrook. Following a 3rd & goal reception to DJ Chark to the Bengals one yard line, Leonard Fournette is stopped at the goal line on 4th down. Jags turn it over on downs and blow a huge opportunity for a quick start.

1:02 PM: We’ve reached kick off, and the Jaguars will receive the opening kick. Time for a fast start for this offense if possilbe.

11:30 AM: The Jaguars inactives have been announced, and as expected the team will be without Marqise Lee and Geoff Swaim today. Wide receiver Dede Westbrook, who was Questionable, will play.

6:58 AM: This is the only way to get ready — reading up on Fil’s individual matchups that will determine today’s game!