The Bengals headed to Tennessee in week 4, looking to get back to even on the year. They were playing a Titans team that was dealing with injuries, and coming off a blowout loss in the previous week. However, the Bengals also had their fair share of issues, most of them stemmed from Joe Burrow’s injury. While he did not suffer any setbacks, his mobility was still severely limited, which had a big impact on the game.
The start was actually pretty good for Cincinnati. Burrow got Chance and Higgins involved early, and Mixon had some nice runs. Unfortunately, the drive stalled out at the Titans 3 yard line. Evan McPherson’s 21 yard field goal gave the Bengals a brief 3-0 lead.
On the Titans opening drive of the half., they only totaled 40 yards, but managed to eat up almost 8 minutes off the clock. They were threatening inside Bengals territory when a Hendrickson sack forced them to kick a 53 yard field goal, which tied the game.
The next two Bengal punts were sandwiched between one for the Titans. But afterwards, Tennessee would go on three straight TD drives. The first one consisted of a few chunk plays and was capped off by a Westbrook-Ikhine TD. The next one was again very short, with a few chunk plays getting them down the field. This one was capped off by a Henry 29 yard TD run. Fitting the theme, the third TD of their 2nd quarter run was also short. Only 1:10, in fact, but they went 80 yards down the field. It started with a 44 yard completion, and ended with a Henry TD pass to Whyle out of the wildcat formation. A fitting end to an embarrassing quarter of football for the Bengals. 24-3 Titans at the half.
Tennessee started the 2nd half in similar fashion as they did the 1st. A field goal drive that chewed off a lot of clock. It would be the final score of the game. The Bengals offence couldn’t get going, and the Titans were able to milk more clock with their possessions. 27-3 final.
The Bengals drop to 1-3 on the season. They head to Arizona next week to take on the Cardinals.
Homescreen Image Via: All-Pro Reels (CC)