The Bengals kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a win over the Cowboys last week. This week, the most manageable portion of their schedule continued, as they were matched up against a Titans team that has struggled all year long. Facing some old friends, including Brian Callahan, Tyler Boyd, and Chidobe Awuzie, could the Bengals make it two wins in a row?
It was a funky game in the turnover department, and the craziness started on just the second snap. Burrow’s pass, intended for Iosivas, was picked off, which led to a quick Tony Pollard TD. The Titans got off to an early 7-0 lead.
Burrow and the offence quickly got back on track. Gesicki caught a 17 yarder to move the sticks on 3rd & 7. A couple of plays later, Burrow found Chase for 29, as they neared the redzone. Now inside the 10, a scrambling Joe Burrow was able to find Chase Brown in the end zone for the TD. 7-7.
The Titans matched Cincy’s long drive with one of their own. A 40 yard catch and run by former Bengal Tyler Boyd was the headliner of the drive. Cam Taylor-Britt was then called for pass interference, which set them up at the 2 yard line. From there, Spears was able to punch it in. 14-7 Titans.
Turnovers would continue to have an impact. Joe Burrow, from inside the Titans 10 yard line, lost the ball, and it was recovered by the Titans. Sweat was the one who scooped it up, before delivering a nasty stiff arm as Alex Cappa tried to make the tackle. But as the Titans were driving inside Cincinnati territory, Will Levis fumbled, giving the ball back to the Bengals.
With the ball back, Burrow wasted no time going back to Ja’Marr Chase, finding him for 18 yards on the second play of the drive. The Bengals continued driving, with another catch by Chase setting them up at the 2 yard line. Facing 3rd down, they lined up in a heavy set. Sam Hubbard came in as a FB, and was the one who actually drew the target in the end zone. Hubbard did well to elevate and come down with the ball for his first career TD. 14-14.
Off a Taylor-Britt interception, Burrow found Tee Higgins deep for a 38 yard TD. This gave the Bengals their first lead of the game. Then, off a Mike Hilton interception, Cade York would add a 21 yard field goal to put the Bengals up 24-14 at the half.
Burrow threw another pick on the team’s opening possession of the 2nd half. However, Will Levis gave it right back on just the third play of the drive. Levis was picked off by Geno Stone, who took it all the way back for a TD to make it 31-14 Bengals.
Cincinnati had almost scored another defensive TD on the next possession too. Jordan Battle scooped up a fumble and returned it to the end zone. However, replay showed that he lost control of the ball before the goal line, as he was attempting to switch hands for some reason. The play resulted in a touchback.
With Mason Rudolph now in at QB for the Titans, the turnover fest continued, as he was picked off by Josh Newton, the rookie. The Bengals, however, ended up punting.
Rudolph led a long 87 yard drive to cut the lead down to 10. A 21 yard catch by Ridley and 17 yard TD run by Spears were the highlights of the drive, which included a lot of modest pickups. 31-21 Bengals.
On a drive that featured a lot of Chase Brown, the Bengals were able to ice the game away. Fittingly, Brown was the one who punched it in for the TD from 5 yards out. York missed the extra point, but the game was locked up by that point. On the final play of the game, Rudolph found Whyle for a 13 yard TD, making the final score 37-27 for the Bengals.
The Bengals return home next week to take on the Cleveland Browns in a divisional matchup. For those still banking on the slim playoff hopes, it is a must win.
Thumbnail Image Via: All-Pro Reels (CC)