Cincinnati gave up the first 13 points last Sunday in Baltimore, then scored 35 straight. For the Tennessee Titans, who lost 27-24 to Cleveland on a last-second field goal, that first half is the blueprint. The Bengals out-rank the Titans in all 12 EPA and success-rate categories we track, but they do have soft spots heading into Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
Bengals weaknesses the Titans can exploit
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Demetrius Knight Jr. and the linebackers in coverage
Cincinnati’s front is loaded, and the weak spot sits behind it. Demetrius Knight Jr. has allowed 24 catches on 28 targets for 278 yards, 207 of them after the catch, and Barrett Carter has given up 254 yards, according to PFF. Knight posted a 32.0 coverage grade in Baltimore.
That’s where Tennessee’s backs and tight ends come in. Robert Saleh said Monday that “Michael has three-down value with regards to protections and being able to understand how to play the game on third down,” per the team’s website. With Tyjae Spears out, Michael Carter, Tony Pollard and tight end Gunnar Helm should see plenty of targets underneath.
Dax Hill in the slot
Dax Hill was the soft spot in the Bengals’ secondary in Week 7. He allowed three catches for 82 yards and a touchdown, a 143.8 passer rating, and finished with a 51.8 coverage grade, according to PFF. Hill’s rough day landed him on the wrong side of the Bengals’ Week 7 ledger.
Wan’Dale Robinson is Tennessee’s slot receiver and Cam Ward’s most reliable target, with 29 catches for 205 yards and two touchdowns. With Carnell Tate ruled out, Robinson should be the first read on third down, and Hill is the matchup to chase.
Joe Burrow’s offense starts slow
Joe Burrow has 15 touchdown passes, but the Bengals have been a second-half team. Baltimore marked the third time in six games Cincinnati failed to score in the first quarter, and the Bengals ran 19 first-half plays for 59 yards. Cincinnati had 3 points at halftime of a 22-17 home loss to Jacksonville, and the slow starts keep showing up.
Tennessee has to bank points early. The Titans are 1-4 in one-score games, and a lead lets them lean on Pollard, who ran for 129 yards and three touchdowns against Cleveland, and shorten the game.
Titans weaknesses they need to hide
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Marcus Harris in the slot
Marcus Harris was targeted three times against Cleveland and allowed three catches for 91 yards, 83 of them after the catch, according to PFF. His 45.5 coverage grade put him on the stock-down list after a loss where the Browns piled up 491 yards.
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have combined for 922 receiving yards, and Tennessee ranks 26th in dropback success rate allowed, per rbsdm.com. Gus Bradley’s defense has to keep a safety over the slot and rally to the ball. A missed tackle on Harris’ side turns a 6-yard catch into a touchdown.
Cam Ward’s passing game against Jonathan Allen
Cam Ward averages 5.7 yards per attempt with four touchdown passes and five interceptions. PFF credits him with four big-time throws, 29th among 35 quarterbacks, and an average depth of target of 7.3 yards, per PFF. His deep ball was still missing against Cleveland.
Cincinnati pressures quarterbacks on 39.1% of dropbacks, and Jonathan Allen had five pressures and an 83.2 pass-rush grade in Baltimore, according to PFF. Tennessee hides this with quick throws to Robinson, a steady run game and play-action off Pollard. Long third downs are where Ward’s drives have died.
Tennessee doesn’t need to out-talent Cincinnati for four quarters. It needs a fast start, a few catches against those linebackers and enough protection for Ward to avoid the mistakes that have defined this 1-6 season.
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- 6 Make-or-Break Players Who Decide if the Titans Can Spring a Week 8 Upset in Cincinnati
- Cincinnati Bengals’ Passing Game Gained Its Best Chance to Break Loose With Jeffery Simmons trade
