The Jacksonville Jaguars won in Cincinnati on Sunday, and their defense did most of the work. Against the Bengals, the unit allowed just 23 yards on 15 carries and picked off two passes, one of which came inside the red zone. That performance pushed the Jaguars to 3-1 and kept their defensive identity clear.
Anthony Campanile’s group has made stopping the run and forcing takeaways its mission. The results keep arriving. The Jaguars are now second in the NFL, allowing 74.3 rushing yards per game. They have not given up a 75+ yard rusher since 2024, and an average of 3.3 yards per carry shows how tight the front seven has become.
Campanile’s Track Record
Campanile’s squad has forced 39 takeaways since the start of 2025, tied with the Chicago Bears for most in the NFL. Sunday’s two interceptions of Burrow marked the 13th time the Jaguars have forced multiple takeaways with Campanile as defensive coordinator. It is simply in their DNA.
The defense locked in on key downs and in key situations, continuing a pattern that has won the team games throughout this season. Coen wasn’t ready to let history repeat itself after last year’s loss to the Bengals. This time, the result went the other way.
Travis Hunter’s Big Day
Travis Hunter was sensational in the win, playing every one of the 76 defensive snaps. He forced two potential interceptions that were broken up, and one of his picks was nullified due to a roughing the passer call. In total, he was targeted seven times, allowing four receptions for 26 yards. It was maybe the best defensive game of his NFL career.
Hunter’s presence across the board gave the defense stability, and his ability to force turnovers in the red zone was particularly telling. His full workload also shows how much the team trusts him in the middle of the action.
Brenton Strange’s Career Day
Brenton Strange had a career-high 95 yards on seven receptions, including three balls for 52 yards on third down. He had been quiet through the first three weeks, but showed out in Cincy.
His big night against the Bengals comes at a moment when the AFC South is taking shape. The Jaguars move to 3-1, the Colts sit at 2-2, while the Texans and Titans lag behind at 0-4.
The Road Ahead
Next week, Jacksonville takes flight to England for the next two weeks before a Week 7 bye week. A banged up Eagles’ team and the spiraling Texans await.
The schedule does not ease up, but the Jaguars have shown they can win ugly when needed. Their defense has become one of the league’s best stories.
“Winning ugly is still winning, especially on the road in the NFL.”
What This Means
The Jaguars have built a defense that is hard to run against and hard to beat through the air. Campanile’s unit is forcing takeaways at a rate few teams can match, and Hunter’s play shows the depth of the secondary.
The AFC South is wide open. Jacksonville has the pieces to compete with anyone in the division.
The trip to England will test the team’s depth and conditioning, but the Jaguars have shown they can handle adversity. Hunter’s play, Strange’s breakout, and a defense that ranks second in the NFL give them a complete package.
The season is young, but the pattern is set. Winning ugly is still winning, and the Jaguars are doing both with style.
Key Facts Box
- Defense: 23 yards on 15 carries, two interceptions, 74.3 rushing yards per game allowed
- Takeaways: 39 since 2025, tied with Chicago Bears
- Hunter: 76 defensive snaps, two forced PBUs, one nullified pick
- Strange: 95 yards, seven receptions, three third-down catches
- Record: 3-1, second in the NFL in rushing defense
- Next game: vs. Eagles (in England)
The Jaguars have answered the question about whether they can win when things go wrong. They can, and they did it in Cincinnati.
Source material: “Jaguars’ Week 4: Stats and Takeaways,” Yahoo Sports.
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