Jaguars vs Bengals Prediction, Top Picks & TD Scorer: NFL Week 4

Tom Oldfield - Contributor at Covers.com
Tom Oldfield • Betting Analyst 22+ years betting experience
Updated: Oct 4, 2026 , 10:30 AM ET • 4 min read

With Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence leading explosive offenses, there will be a whole lot of points as the Bengals clash with the Jaguars.

nfl

Oct 04 • 9:00 AM ET
Joe Burrow Cincinnati Bengals NFL
Photo By - Reuters Connect. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow returns to the bench.

Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence resume their long-standing rivalry on Sunday afternoon in what stands out as the marquee matchup of Week 4, and I'm examining it in my Jaguars vs. Bengals predictions.

The Cincinnati Bengals enter as a 2.5-point home favorite, but with both passing attacks hitting their stride early in the season, my NFL picks are calling for a high-scoring shootout at Paycor Stadium ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

 TOP Pick
Jaguars vs Bengals prediction today: Over 51.5

Two of the NFL’s most dangerous offenses collide in this marquee Week 4 showdown, with the Cincinnati Bengals (26.7 PPG) and Jacksonville Jaguars (27.3 PPG) looking like a perfect combo to cash the Over on Sunday.

It starts with big-play potential that sparks quick scoring drives. Trevor Lawrence has 65 completions of 20+ yards since the start of the 2025 season (only two AFC QBs have more), and he should add to that tally here, with the Bengals allowing a 20+ yard reception to five different receivers in Pittsburgh in Week 3.

Joe Burrow is primed for similar success when he drops back. Jacksonville is allowing 8.4 yards per pass attempt, tied for third-most in the league, and Cincinnati has two walking mismatches in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

The Over is 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings between these squads, and I’d bet this up to 55%.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Neither team will be fazed on 3rd-and-long. Both rank in the Top 10 in 3rd down completion rate, with the Jaguars at 53% and the Bengals at 46%. Another reason to back the offenses to put up points.

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Jaguars vs Bengals combo

These teams served up a 31-27 thriller last season, and I'll sign up for a similar scoreline here. Burrow's weapons hold a slight edge for me in that type of matchup, and the Bengals QB boasts a 24-17 SU career record at home.

Cincinnati is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings between these squads, and this is a big step up for the Jacksonville defense after facing more pedestrian offenses so far.

I'll round out this combo with the Over on Higgins' receiving yards tally. He's racked up 90+ yards in back-to-back games, and his 6'4 frame makes him a key man for Burrow on third down.

Higgins has seen 23 targets through his first three outings, only narrowly trailing Chase in that category, and I expect the Bengals' offensive line to hold up well enough for the passing attack to thrive this weekend.

Jaguars vs Bengals combo

  • Over 51.5
  • Bengals moneyline
  • Tee Higgins Over 59.5 receiving yards


Jaguars vs Bengals player prop: Parker Washington Over 72.5 receiving yards

It's no secret now - Parker Washington is Jacksonville's No.1 receiver, and I'm buying into his 30.3% target share through the first three weeks.

Washington finished with 80+ receiving yards in each of the Jaguars' first two outings, and only a run-heavy game script denied him a similar tally last weekend. Dating back to last season, he's gone past this O/U number in six of his past seven contests.

On the heels of Cincinnati's defense coughing up chunk plays in Pittsburgh, a deep threat like Washington won't need many catches to cash this Over, especially with the visitors surely leaning into the passing game at Paycor Stadium. 

Want more NFL player props? Check out our NFL player prop projections!

Jaguars vs Bengals touchdown scorer: Mike Gesicki

With defenses so focused on stopping Cincinnati's other red zone threats, Mike Gesicki offers nice value at this price. He's already caught two touchdown passes this season, and he's a lock for single coverage around the goal line.

While the Jaguars have kept tight ends quiet in the opening weeks of the season, they gave up nine TDs to that position group last season.

In what feels like a high-scoring battle, look for Gesicki to have one of the more favorable matchups when the Bengals are knocking on the door, and Jacksonville's stingy run defense could force the hosts to steer away from the ground game in those moments.

Tom Oldfield's 2026 Transparency Record
  • Top picks: 1-1, -0.15 units
  • Combos: 0-2, -2.0 units
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Jaguars vs Bengals odds today

For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.

  • Spread: Jaguars +2.5 | Bengals -2.5
  • Over/Under: Over 51.5 (51%) | Under 51.5 (50%)
  • Moneyline: Jaguars 43% | Bengals 57%

For the full slate of NFL matchups, check out our NFL odds board!


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Jaguars vs Bengals weather

Look for mild, cloudy conditions in Cincinnati on Sunday and temperatures in the high 60s at kick-off, setting the stage for an up-tempo contest and elite quarterback play.

Check out our NFL weather page for up-to-date info on every matchup.

Jaguars vs Bengals trend to know

The Over is 6-3 in the Jaguars' last nine road games. Find more NFL betting trends for Jaguars vs. Bengals.

How to watch Jaguars vs Bengals

Location Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Date Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026
Kickoff 1 p.m. ET
TV FOX

Jaguars vs Bengals latest injuries

Check out our NFL injuries page for updates on every team. 

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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Tom Oldfield - Covers
Betting Analyst

Tom Oldfield’s sports writing journey over the past 20 years has taken him from the Premier League and Champions League to the NFL, NBA, WNBA and MLB, with a wide range of articles and betting previews. Tom has worked closely with London’s Sportsbeat sports news agency as well as (thrillingly!) covering the Toronto Raptors’ 2019 NBA championship run, and he has appeared on BBC World Service and The Back Page podcast.

A graduate of the University of Nottingham in the UK, he is the author of biographies on Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Nadal, Gary Neville and Cesc Fabregas, and he co-authors a long-running series of children’s soccer books with his brother, Matt.

As a regular bettor across the top sports leagues, particularly with FanDuel and bet365, he is well versed on all the major markets and the next big game is rarely far from his thoughts. The best betting advice he has received is to monitor multiple sportsbooks to grab the best possible value.

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