CINCINNATI -- If you ask the Cincinnati Bengals about Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles, they will tell you all about how dangerous his powerful arm and shifty feet can be.

What they won't tell you is how confident they are about exploiting the turnover issues Bortles has had all year.

Through only six games as the Jaguars' quarterback, five of which he started, Bortles has 12 interceptions. Four of them have been returned for touchdown. Bortles' 0.5 touchdown-to-interception ratio ranks as the second-worst among NFL quarterbacks. Only Teddy Bridgewater's 0.4 ratio is worse.

"They're doing a good job," Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko said, cautioning Bengals fans from staring at Jacksonville's 1-7 record. "They just need to take care of the ball a little more. That's where they've been getting killed, with their turnovers. We've got to take advantage of that, and I think we will this week."

Good defensive pressure has led to a number of Bortles' interceptions. So has the fact that he's a first-year player. No rookie quarterback has been immune from poor play this season, particularly when blitzed the way Bortles and Bridgewater have been. Bortles, Bridgewater and Derek Carr have three of the eight-worst QBRs in the league when facing five or more pass-rushers, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

That same type of defensive pressure led to five of Bortles' interceptions, a league worst. He also has a league's lowest percent passer rating, 35.3 percent, when five or more players are rushing. On 69 dropbacks against that rush, he's been sacked nine times.

One can imagine what Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther was thinking when he watched film on Bortles earlier this week. He probably was eager to come up with ways he could attack the rookie to make him uncomfortable and add to his interception and sack totals. Peko could see that happening.

"Guys are getting in his face and putting their hands up and pressuring him," Peko said. "That's going to be one of the big keys to the game: stopping the run and getting after Bortles. We need to get in his face and show him different looks and try to rattle this rookie. We can take advantage of that."

Which look would work best? The nickel.

According to the NFL's Game Statistics and Information System, the Bengals have three interceptions this season out of a nickel formation that includes end Wallace Gilberry at defensive tackle and Vincent Rey as the interior linebacker. The three interceptions are the most the Bengals have in any particular lineup. Six other lineups have yielded their remaining six interceptions.

With Vontaze Burfict out following knee surgery Wednesday, Rey will be playing that same spot when the Bengals shift into nickel Sunday. Don't be surprised if that formation puts so much pressure on Bortles that he adds to his total and extends his streak of games with an interception to start his young career.