The Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive line must embrace their inner Thanos if their side of the ball is going to tackle the Jacksonville Jaguars running backs competently.
When the Bengals take on the Jaguars on Sunday, they will face a familiar problem that could cost them more than usual against Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez.
However, they also have a unique advantage that could minimize their biggest weakness. But to capitalize on that advantage, Cincinnati's defensive line may have to go about things on its own.
The Bengals must lean on their rebuilt defensive line to get to the Jaguars’ running backs before Jacksonville’s rushers make it to Cincinnati’s linebackers and safeties.
Jaguars’ RBs offer another tackling headache
Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten ranks seventh in yards after contact. Jaylen Warren, who ranks fourth, rushed 17 times for 127 yards and an average of 7.5 yards per carry against the Bengals on Sunday.
Tuten ranks fourth in yards after contact per rush, with 2.9, behind Kyle Monangai, Kenneth Walker, and Jaylen Warren. Tuten leads more popular names such as Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and Bijan Robinson.
That portends, perhaps, an unpleasant afternoon for Cincinnati’s defense if the Jaguars decide to challenge Al Golden’s run defense.
Even when Tuten takes a break, the Bengals must contend with a running back adept at being tough to tackle, as Jacksonville’s RB2, Chris Rodriguez, ranks 14th in the NFL with 2.1 yards after contact.
Bengals know broken tackles, again
The Bengals facing one of the best backs in yards after contact comes at a bad time, as a major issue in 2025 remains in 2026. But unlike Thanos, there isn’t a Black Order to back up Cincinnati’s defensive line.
Cincinnati has the fifth-most missed tackles through three games. Their 29.9% missed-tackle rate is the eighth-worst in the league.
Furthermore, the Bengals rank last, by a substantial margin, in yards after contact allowed. It should come as no surprise that they also lead the NFL in yards after catch allowed.
After leading the NFL by a wide margin in 2025, the Bengals made moves to address their poor tackling. The most significant of which was releasing safety Geno Stone and signing Bryan Cook in free agency.
However, the other players who contributed mightily to Cincinnati’s missed tackle numbers, linebacker Barrett Carter and safety Jordan Battle, are up to their old tricks again.
Carter leads the NFL in missed tackles and yards allowed after the catch.
If Tuten and Rodriguez reach the Carter and Battle levels, whether on the ground or in the air, it could be a long afternoon for the Bengals defense.
However, there is hope Tuten and Rodriguez don’t get that far.
Bengals thrive where Jags struggle
Al Golden’s run defense ranks first, by a large margin, in average yards before contact, while ranking last in yards after contact allowed.
the bengals run defense is now first in average yards before contact and last in average yards after contact pic.twitter.com/gjzgmeTJtV
— frank (@realfrankbrank) September 30, 2026
Conversely, the Jaguars rank 31st in rushing yards before contact, giving the Bengals a significant advantage in those advanced stats.
While Tuten and Rodriguez rank near the top of yards after contact per attempt, they rank 35th and 39th out of 46 in rushing yards before contact, respectively.
If the Jaguars try to get Tuten and Rodriguez the ball by handing the ball off, they will play right into the Bengals' stomachs, paws, or hands.
But if Jacksonville can get them the ball in space with screens, sweeps, reverse motions, or passes out of the backfield, the Bengals have again shown a propensity to struggle to tackle well.
That, plus the Jaguars’ ability to gain yards after contact, makes for an unfortunate combination for Cincinnati.
Cincinnati’s defensive line must take Thanos’ infamous line and make it a hot song on Sunday afternoon. Fine, we’ll do it ourselves should be the motto for the Law Firm of Lawrence, Howell, and Associates heading into the game against the Jaguars’ running backs.
Speaking of song remixes, some on the defensive side of the ball need to heed Mr. Mister’s lyrics and ‘take these broken wings and learn to tackle again. Learn to play so free.’
With Kyle Dugger out and Cook listed as questionable on the injury report, it is even more important that the defensive line take matters into their own hands and get to the Jaguars’ running backs before they have a chance to get to the linebackers and secondary.
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