The Cincinnati Bengals return home to take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 8. The Bengals, at 4-2, have won back-to-back games, while the Titans sit at 1-6 following a home loss to Cleveland.
Here are the five biggest things you need to know heading into Sunday’s matchup.
Joe Burrow Gets a Favorable Matchup Against Tennessee’s Secondary
Burrow is playing some of the cleanest football of his career. He has connected on 71.7% of his throws for 1,653 yards, posting a 15-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 110.4 passer rating across six starts. He split Baltimore open with four touchdown passes last Sunday, and Cincinnati now ranks fourth in scoring at 27.2 points per game.
Tennessee’s defense allows 364.1 total yards per game and just shipped out its primary defensive anchor, Jeffery Simmons. That sets up a matchup where Burrow can punish the Titans if he gets time in the pocket.
Tight End Room Undergoes an Overhaul
Cincinnati’s tight end room has taken another hit after Erick All Jr. suffered a torn ACL against Baltimore. He joins Tanner Hudson, who is already on Injured Reserve. Mike Gesicki is primarily used as a receiving threat from the slot, which means the team will need other players to handle more of the blocking responsibilities.
Rookie Jack Endries could see a bigger role alongside Drew Sample and the latest acquisition, Cam Grandy. Endries took extensive scout-team work over the past month, but Sunday might be his first true test as both a run-blocker and an underneath release option for Burrow.
Cincinnati’s Running Game Has a Chance to Get Back on Track
Cincinnati’s ground attack has struggled to generate traction between the tackles, sitting 29th in the NFL at 81.2 rushing yards per game. Chase Brown has handled the bulk of the carries, but explosive runs have been tough to come by. Tennessee seems to be an ideal rebound opportunity.
The Titans allow 131.1 rushing yards per game, and trading away Simmons leaves an immediate gap in their interior run fits. Zac Taylor needs to give the running game a chance to get going early. The Bengals can wear down Tennessee’s defensive front and open up play-action passing.
Tony Pollard Could Make Things Difficult for Cincinnati
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If Robert Saleh’s offense manages to hang around, it will be because Pollard carried them. The veteran tailback ran through Cleveland for 129 yards and three touchdowns, churning out 120 yards after contact and forcing eight missed tackles. Pollard ranks 10th in the league with 478 rushing yards and has logged 11 runs of 10-plus yards.
With Tyjae Spears sidelined by a knee injury, Pollard could see an even larger workload against Cincinnati. The Bengals’ defense held Derrick Henry to 45 yards in Baltimore, but it will face a different challenge against the Titans RB. Cincinnati’s front seven cannot afford arm tackles or poor gap discipline against his cutback ability.
Pass Rush Smelling Blood Against Cam Ward
The Bengals have some concerns in the secondary with Kyle Dugger and Jordan Battle dealing with injuries, but their defensive front has been dominant. The Bengals share the league lead with 21 sacks through six games. Boye Mafe has 4.5 sacks, while Dexter Lawrence has 4.0.
They face second-year quarterback Cam Ward, who has seen rushers in his lap on 35.5% of his dropbacks. He is averaging just 5.7 yards per attempt, and consistent pressure could make it even harder for him to find his receivers.
More on the Bengals
- 6 Make-or-Break Players Who Can Turn Bengals-Titans Into a Blowout or a Trap Game in Week 8
- Announcers, Referees, and Jersey Combination for Bengals Week 8 Game vs. Titans
- Will Bengals Trade for Saquon Barkley by Nov. 10? Answering 5 Questions Bengals Fans Are Asking
- Predicting Bengals Starting Lineup and Depth Chart vs. Titans for NFL Week 8
