Tennessee Titans (3-11) – Cincinnati Bengals (6-8): 27-37
The count is quickly done: with 10 losses of balls and 26 penalties, the two teams only punted once each during the game. The match therefore produced spectacular football, indeed, but during which the key word was indiscipline. The Titans and Bengals each lost more than 110 yards on penalties, and drives were constantly interrupted by interceptions and other fumbles that the squads produced.
The difference was simple: on the Cincinnati side, Joe Burrow still threw for three scores, while for Tennessee Will Levis ended up on the bench. In the other areas of the game, the metrics are similar and facing an opponent who had nothing left to gain, the Bengals were able to do well. The tigers can thank Joe Burrow for this victory which still keeps them in the lead. race to the postseason.
Titans in the first quarter, Bengals in the second
From the start of the game, the Titans take matters into their own hands. Defensively, they intercept Joe Burrow (QB, 26/37, 271 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT) on the first series. Offensively, they build their progress on the ground game, alternating runs and play actions until Tony Pollard (RB, 45 yards, 1 TD) crosses the line. However, the tigers were quick to react. Burrow finds Ja'Marr Chase (WR, 94 yards) for 29 yards, distributes the ball to his playmakers, and on an improvised play alerts Chase Brown (RB, 113 yards, 2 TD) in the paint. Not impressed, however, the men from Tennessee responded in turn. Tyler Boyd (WR, 39 yards) slides behind the coverage for 40 yards, a big penalty puts the squad a few yards from the end zone, and Tyjae Spears (RB, 92 yards, 1 TD) is at the conclusion.
And at the opening of the second quarter, the Azure defense is once again in the spotlight. Burrow escapes the leather in the red zone, and T'Vondre Sweat (DT) throws the ball back 32 yards. But as the two teams scored each other in this first half, it did not take long for the Cincinnati defense to imitate its counterpart. Trey Hendrickson (DE) emerges unblocked and snatches the ball from the hands of Will Levis (QB, 8/12, 89 yards, 3 INT). So we go back in the other direction. And as a sign, it is Sam Hubbard (DE), aligned in the tight end position, who brings the two teams back to an equal level. But the Bengals don't stop there: on the following series Cam Taylor-Britt (CB) emerges and cuts off a pass from Levis. A new turnover, which Cincinnati is not going to waste. Burrow under pressure finds Tee Higgins (WR, 88 yards, 1 TD) deep for 38 yards and the score (https://x.com/NFL/status/1868377473593061615), and for the first time the Tigers take the lead on the notice board. At this point, the Bengals defense is on fire: Mike Hilton dives on a batted pass and once again gives possession back to his offense with seconds left on the clock. A series which brings 3 points and allows Cincy to return to the locker room with a score of 24 to 14.
Titans who wake up too late
The second half opens on the same basis as the first. Attempting the long pass to Chase, Burrow threw his second interception of the game. And immediately afterwards, Levis also had the trajectory of his ball cut off for a pick six which hurts a lot. So much so that it is Mason Rudolph (QB, 20/25, 196 yards, 1TD, 1INT) who takes over for Tennessee, Levis leaves the field with four turnovers, and three interceptions on his last four passes. Yet that doesn't stop Tennessee's disappointments. Pollard fumbles the ball, recovered by Jordan Battle (CB) who seems to go for a touchdown. Or not, because the cornerback in turn escapes the leather just before crossing the line. The action ends with a touchback for the Titans, but the alert was hot.
However, it didn't serve as a lesson. In turn Rudolph gets lost in the coverage and throws an interception on a lonely Josh Newton (CB) in the backfield. Attack on Titan only regains color in the following series. Playing it safe, the squad progresses in small steps, taking what the defense leaves until Spears crosses the line and reduces the score. With a 10-point lead and 7 minutes to play, the Bengals must bury the match. They then decide to pound on the ground with Brown to run the clock and get closer to the opposing goal. However, arriving 1 yard from the paint, Cincinnati piles up penalties and complicates the task. Fortunately for the tigers, Brown effectively pounded the line and broke through the middle for the winning touchdown. Despite a final 43-yard slalom from Spears and a last-second touchdown from Josh Whyle (WR), the match is over. The Ohio Tigers are still mathematically in the race for the playoffs and keep their destiny in hand.
