Jaguars vs. Bengals Final Score Prediction for NFL Week 2 (Can the Bengals Cover?)
Two undefeated teams will face off at Paycor Stadium on Sunday and their Week 1 and their paths to 1-0 couldn’t have been more different.
The Jacksonville Jaguars dominated their season opener from start to finish and won by 16 points on the road at Bank of America Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals, on the other hand, struggled on offense despite being an offensive juggernaut last campaign and squeaked by with a one-point victory after the Cleveland Browns missed a potential game-winning field goal from 36 yards out. Now both sides will aim to improve to 2-0.
SI Betting will be sharing score predictions for every NFL game this season by using the latest odds to project likely outcomes. Here’s our betting breakdown for Sunday’s matchup between Jacksonville and Cincinnati.
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread
Moneyline
Total
The books appear to be turning on the Bengals as the weekend approaches. The Bengals were -225 on the moneyline as 5.5-point favorites on DraftKings when the lines opened.
Cincinnati has struggled lately but has covered the spread in 56.1% of its games under Zac Taylor.
This year’s Jaguars did dominate the Carolina Panthers 26-10 in Week 1, but that’s not too impressive when you consider that they were facing last year’s worst scoring defense. Carolina hasn’t made any significant upgrades since giving up 31.4 points per game in 2024. Jacksonville will face another team that fielded a terrible defense last season in Week 2.
The Bengals’ defense unexpectedly powered their Week 1 win by coming up with two big second-half interceptions while its elite offense flopped. Cincinnati’s offense isn’t likely to underperform again given the weapons at its disposal, though.
The Bengals averaged 28.9 points per game at home and I can’t see Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combining for less than 60 receiving yards in a second consecutive game. Cincinnati only won three home games last season, but their average margin of victory was 13.7 points in those contests.
I’m banking on the Bengals putting together a major bounce-back performance in a convincing win.
Final Score Prediction: Bengals 28, Jaguars 21
Former Saints QB Derek Carr just teased potential return to the NFL, and New Orleans has a reason to hope that he does
The New Orleans Saints felt a fair share on retirements this offseason. Terron Armstead hung up his cleats. Tyrann Mathieu said he had concluded his NFL career. For former quarterback Derek Carr, he also retired earlier this year - citing his injured shoulder as a major reason for his decision.
Now, when asked about how much he considers playing again, the long-time starter is keeping an open mind. In reality, New Orleans should be rooting for him to come back to the NFL.
Possible return from retirement for Derek Carr
In an interview on the Dan Patrick Show, the former Saints quarterback didn't completely close the door on a return to the field. He is allowing that door to remain open, for now at least.
Carr also mentioned that it wasn't easy to give up the money from his Saints contract when he chose to retire.
“I throw a football every now and then with my kids and to my buddy for fun because it’s part of my rehab for my shoulder…I’m still doing those things, I’ve always felt like, even though I’m done, if God wanted me to do it, I gotta be ready. I don’t want to go out there and not be ready. I’ll be ready, but I’m not coming back. Right now, today, I’m not coming back.” -- Derek Carr via Dan Patrick Show
The Saints should actually be open to this sort of change of heart from the veteran because of a potential trade. New Orleans could potentially look to deal him elsewhere, depending on interest and how soon he would return from retirement. That trade wouldn't land them much, expect maybe a late round draft pick. That's better than nothing, though.
"Carr ultimately retired having collected more than $205 million in career earnings through 11 NFL seasons for the Saints and the Raiders, according to Spotrac." -- Bleacher Report
Regardless, Carr doesn't have a future in New Orleans as the QB any longer. The team drafted Tyler Shough in round two of this year's NFL Draft, and they could also be in a position early in round one next year to draft another potential long-term answer at QB. It all depends on how this season shakes out for the Saints, the first with Kellen Moore at head coach.
