There have been a lot of ugly Bengals games this year. Mostly it’s been Cincinnati fans that have been pulling their hair out in frustration. Today, though, any Tennessee fans who made it to the stadium today likely don’t have any left to pull. While it wasn’t much prettier but we managed to come away with a 37-27 win.
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First Half
The Bengals first drive was doomed from the start. A false start pushed the team back before the first play could even materialize. Then Joe Burrow threw one of his few uncharacteristically bad interceptions on a pass over the middle. Cochran’s man beat him to apply pressure on Burrow which certainly didn’t help.
The Titans, their own offense having struggled all year, made the Bengals pay. Tony Pollard smashed it in on the ground and gave the Titans a 7-0 lead. It was a display of bully ball with a short field that continued to demonstrate the defensive fragility the Bengals have faced all year.
The Bengals responded with a deep drive into Titan territory. It included a precise dime to Ja’Marr Chase on a slant for a huge gain. Chase Brown had some strong runs of his own to keep the drive going.
But the play of the game came when Joe Burrow worked his magic in the pocket to evade nearly the entire Titans defense. He scrambled for almost ten seconds to buy enough time to hit Brown in the end zone for an equalizer and tie the game at 7.
And of course Tyler Boyd hit a big reception on the following drive after the Bengals brought pressure on third and long. Then, a questionable pass interference pushed the ball inside the 10. Tyjae Spears scored on a short touchdown run to reclaim the lead a few plays later. The Bengals’ defense once again failed to capitalize on Titans penalties and made costly mistakes to give away free yardage and put Tennessee in very advantageous positions to score.
On offense next the Bengals overcame an illegal formation penalty that cost them a first down. Burrow kept his composure and hit Mike Gesicki for a big play on third down. Yet more Joe Burrow pocket magic led to a toss up throw to Chase Brown that put the Bengals inside the 10. The mojo ran out on the following play unfortunately as Burrow was sacked and fumbled the ball. Tennessee scooped up the ball and returned it, with T’Vondre Sweat throwing in a massive stiff arm to Alex Cappa in the process.
This time, faced with a change of possession the Bengals fared infinitely better. The line put Will Levis under significant pressure. It ultimately lead to a bruising sack by Trey Hendrickson and a fumble that was recovered by Maema Njongmeta. It was one of the handful of times this year that Cincinnati‘s defense answered the call. And it came in a big situation as it denied Tennessee the potential to go up multiple scores.
Then it was time for Chase Brown and the offensive line to take charge. The Bengals moved the football on the ground behind more tough running, including by Ja’Marr Chase. They took the ball deep into Titan territory and another clutch reception by Uno got the ball inside of the five and on the doorstep. Then in one of the most inexplicable plays of the entire season, Burrow uncorked a beautiful pass to Sam Hubbard of all people to tie it at 14. After so many linemen catching touchdown passes against Cincinnati this year it was nice to finally pull off one of our own.
After Tennessee got the ball back, Will Levis threw a dart directly to Cam Taylor-Britt. The much maligned defensive back took the ball back inside Titan territory and was understandably as fired up as any player in the league after what he’s been through.
The momentum had clearly shifted as the Bengals took over. After few plays, Joe Burrow took a massive hit in the pocket. But he was able to launch a beautiful pass to Tee Higgins for a 38 yard touchdown. Higgins absorbed a shot of his own to hold on to the ball and give Cincinnati a seven point lead.
After the touchdown, Levis took the field and promptly threw yet another interception. This time to Mike Hilton. The Bengals marched down the field and were inside of the ten yard line, but simply ran out of time. They settled for a nice Cade York field goal to head into halftime.
Second Half
Coming out of the second half the Bengals defense contained the Titans and forced a punt. But Burrow’s second interception of the day on a throw into double coverage gave the ball right back.
Tennessee’s possession didn’t last very long though as Will Levis’ nightmare day continued. He threw yet another disastrous interception. This one Geno Stone took back to the house for a pick six and extended the lead.
After Levis’ third pick, Titans head coach Brian Callahan had seen enough. Mason Rudolph entered the game just in time for Christmas to take over at quarterback. The backup marched Tennessee down the field admirably before Tony Pollard fumbled. In what has come to encapsulate an awful season in defense, after returning the fumble more than half the field, and on the doorstep of the goal line, Jordan Battle forgot to hold onto the football and fumbled it out of the back of the end zone. Even when they make amazing plays, Cincinnati’s defensive players find shocking new ways to fail.
The Bengals secondary struggled after this mental error. They once again had several penalties that gave Tennessee both free yards and first downs. Despite the gifts, Rudolph felt like giving one of his own. He air mailed a pass that Josh Newton picked off for Tennessee’s fourth interception of the game.
Cincinnati put a decent drive together but ultimately punted. On the subsequent drive it was clear that the Bengals were giving up anything short and the Titans took advantage. Tyjae Spears caught one if those short passes and juked his way to a 17 yard touchdown to draw within ten.
Now with some pressure back on them the offense took the field and delivered. Tee Higgins made yet another tough catch on third down. Chase Brown sliced and diced for some nice runs. The drive then became more about eating clock and draining the Titans of their timeouts. It ended in a Chase Brown backbreaker of a rushing touchdown that sealed the game.
Final Numbers and Thoughts
The Bengals received some pretty bleak news before the game began. With Orlando Brown Jr. out already, the team revealed that backup tackle Cody Ford was also inactive due to illness. That left Cincinnati to rely on third string lineman Devin Cochran, who played only one career snap prior to Sunday’s game. Cochran struggled mightily in the first quarter, giving up two early pressures on Burrow. Overall the line played well enough to win and Cochran’s name wasn’t called in a negative way too often after the first quarter.
Joe Burrow threw for 271 yards and 3 touchdowns. He now holds the Bengals franchise record for touchdowns in a season. Chase had 9 catches for 94 yards. Higgins added 5 catches for 88 yards. Chase Brown continued to impress, rushing 25 times for 97 yards.
With their playoff hopes still with the dimmest sign of life the Bengals will take on the Cleveland Browns next week. Cleveland lost 21-7 to the Chiefs this week.
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