NFL Picks And Predictions Week 5: Bengals Vs. Jaguars

Crowds are few and far between for either or these teams. The spectators that do turn up for the game in Jacksonville will watch a pair of rookie quarterbacks face each other. Bengals QB Andy Dalton proved that his team can indeed surprise some people, erasing a 14-point hole to upset the Buffalo Bills last week. 

Blaine Gabbert makes his third start. He struggled in both his games so far, looking lost in the headlights of Jim Williams' aggressive New Orleans defense. The real question for Jacksonville is why Gabbert is throwing the ball more than 30 times a game with Maurice Jones-Drew in the lineup. Jack Del Rio plans to change that this week, but MJD faces a tough Cincinnati defense. 

Peter King sees that defense being the difference for the Bengals.

You know what I love about the Bengals being ranked first in the league on defense after a quarter of the season? Maybe some owner who knows what he's doing will say, "I need to interview Mike Zimmer if I change coaches after the season." Quick: Name one impact defender for the Bengals -- Jonathan Fanene and Leon Hall don't count; too obvious. A whole bunch of people have to be playing well for the Bengals to be allowing 3.1 yards per rush and 57-percent completions by opposing QBs.

ESPN features a few takers for the Jaguars this week. CBS picks solidly for Cincinnati. 

For more on the Jaguars, check out Big Cat Country. To get the scoop on the Bengals, head over to the Cincy Jungle.