Cincinnati (5-8) will face off against Tennessee (3-10) this Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, with the broadcast available on Fox. According to BetMGM’s NFL odds, the Bengals are favored to win by five points, holding a 7-6 record against the spread, while the Titans have only managed a 2-11 record. Historically, Tennessee has the edge in their matchups, leading the series 41-37-1, although the last game saw the Titans decisively beat the Bengals 27-3 on October 1, 2023. Last week, the Bengals secured a win against the Cowboys, finishing 27-20, while the Titans fell short against the Jaguars, losing 10-6.
Looking at the teams’ statistics, Cincinnati stands out for its strong passing offense, ranking first overall in passing yards with 3,706, while also scoring the sixth most points in the league. However, their defensive performance has not been as impressive, sitting at 26th overall. Conversely, the Titans struggle offensively, with their ranking sitting at 29th in terms of scoring and passing yards, but they do show a robust defensive performance, ranking second overall and first against the pass.
A significant player to watch for the Bengals is quarterback Joe Burrow, who leads the NFL with 33 touchdown passes and has thrown for at least 300 yards in six of his games this season. He is on the verge of a significant achievement, as one more game with at least three touchdown passes would place him alongside Hall of Famer Steve Young for a unique record. In the past matchup against the Titans, Burrow thrown three touchdown passes without interception, showcasing his sharp performance against this rival.
For the Titans, all eyes will be on second-year quarterback Will Levis, who is attempting to thrive under the guidance of first-year coach Brian Callahan. Levis is experiencing some physical setbacks, having aggravated a shoulder injury last week but has impressively not thrown any interceptions over his last two games. He has surpassed 1,800 passing yards this season, accompanied by 12 touchdowns, indicating a promising development in his game.
A crucial storyline heading into the game is the matchup between the Bengals’ exceptional passing attack, spearheaded by Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, and the Titans’ formidable defense. Tennessee has managed to limit opponents to an average of just 175.5 passing yards per game, while Cincinnati averages a league-best 271.6 yards in passing. The Bengals are on an impressive run, having scored on 41 consecutive trips inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, something that reveals their efficiency during critical scoring opportunities.
As for injuries, Burrow’s left knee is a minor concern since he was seen wearing a compression sleeve after Monday’s game, but he has no injury designations this week. The Titans have several injuries to monitor, notably running back Tony Pollard’s questionable status due to an ankle ailment. Key players like rookie left tackle JC Latham and linebacker Kenneth Murray are also expected to be evaluated closely.
Notably, this matchup continues the history between these former AFC Central rivals. The rivalry runs deep, given that the Titans are the Bengals’ third-most frequently played opponent over the franchise’s history, with only Pittsburgh and Cleveland appearing more often. Historically, the home team has had a slight edge in recent matchups, winning four of the last five games.
Statistically, the Bengals are approaching their 400th franchise win and can build on their current momentum after ending a three-game losing streak. Joe Burrow’s performance has been commendable, and his connection with Ja’Marr Chase, who has an impressive 93 receptions and 1,319 receiving yards, has kept the Bengals’ offense thriving.
For fantasy players, Ja’Marr Chase is a must-start, especially after a standout game where he accumulated 177 yards and two touchdowns. His consistent performance places him among the elite receivers in the league, and he is on pace to achieve remarkable milestones this season.
This showdown between Cincinnati and Tennessee promises to be engaging, highlighting the offensive prowess of the Bengals against the Titans’ steadfast defensive establishment as each team aims to secure crucial wins in their respective seasons.