Defense vs. Defense

It’s a shame the Bengals have been playing as poorly as they have this season, because had they played better earlier on, Joe Burrow would probably be unanimous MVP this year. Last game, he threw for 33/44, 369 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs. He’s doing this weekly too. It’s just unfortunate his defense is straight up selling the game every week. They did get a last-minute win over the Cowboys who struggle playing at home. But a win’s a win, and they are not out of the race yet. The Titans just lost a tough game to the Jaguars, are eliminated from playoff contention, and have also been struggling all year, as they are 3-10. For the Titans, this’ll be relatively shorter. They have one thing going for them, and that is they are the second overall defense in the league. On average, they allow 291 yards per game, about 175 yards in the air and 116 yards on the ground. This will be vital, especially against Burrow and the Bengals, who throw for about 272 yards a game. Better lock in on defense.

Close one to the Cowboys, but this game is a must win for Cincinnati. No ifs, ands, or buts. I’d feel good about the team’s performance if I was Zac Taylor, but I would be displeased with how close the game was last week. Especially considering the Cowboys are bottom half in the league in total offense. Clear mindset for the Bengals, play defense. Like what the Titans will try and do, but the difference is they have opposite strengths. For the Bengals, because their defense is typically at fault for losses, accel on offense like normal, and play the best defense of your life against the 29th total offensive team. Let Tee Higgins and Ja’marr Chase get the ball, get Chase Brown started early, and play some defense. That’s it for them. Do that, and their dream of making the playoffs lives. Tighten the latches if you’re Tennessee, because the Bengals are coming to blow the doors off.

POSTGAME:

This was a weird game. Two not great teams in kind of a back-and-forth game for a little bit, with lots of defense. Or bad QB play. At least it was from Will Levis, who finished 8/12 for 89 yards and 3 INTs. He was benched in the third quarter after throwing his fourth pick-six, which leads all QBs this season. Mason Rudolph didn’t play terrible at all, going 21/26 for 209 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT at a costly time. That INT from Rudolph was the third consecutive turnover for the Titans. The game would end 37-27 after back-to-back TD drives from Tennessee, but it was a little too late. The Bengals split those back-to-back touchdowns with a touchdown of their own, putting them up 16. Joe Burrow finished the game with 271 passing yards and 3 TDs, as the Bengals pick up a much-needed win.