Bengals 37 Titans 27
It may have hurt your eyes to watch, and it may have set football back a few decades, but it was a win.
The teams combined for 10 turnovers….most in the NFL since 2007 (per Fox). They combined for 26 penalties (‘24 NFL high) for 223 yards.
The Bengals trailed 14-7 in the first quarter before scoring 24 unanswered on their way to a 31-14 lead into the 4th quarter.
The Titans scored on the final play of the game on a Josh Whyle (former UC Bearcat) TD.
The Bengals defense had six takeaways, leading to 24 points.
The Bengals have won-back-to-back games in moving to 6-8. It was their 5th road win.
Offense:
Joe Burrow: 26-37-271 yards, 3 TD (Brown/Hubbard/Higgins), 3 turnovers, QB rating 95.7. 2 INT, fumble, sack. INT opening drive. His first first half interception since 2022 AFC championship/464 attempts (per Fox). NFL best/franchise record 36th TD pass. Had 9.01 seconds to throw his first TD. Red zone fumble. His four fumbles lost ties for NFL lead. Oh, did he hang in and take a hit delivering the Higgins ball. Six straight games with at least 3 TD (21). First multi-pick game this season.
Sam Hubbard 2-yard TD catch! He injured his knee on the play and was done for the day. First receiving TD by a Bengals defensive player in franchise history (ESPN).
Ja’Marr Chase: 9-94, 102 catches on season. 29 yard short catch/run.
Brown: 25-97 yards, 3 catches/16 yards = 113 scrimmage yards…100+ total yards fourth straight game and 5 of last 6. 11 TD, 7 rushing, 4 receiving
Rumbling: 362 pound defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat stole the ball from Burrow, stiff-armed Alex Cappa, and rolled 32-yards on a fumble recovery. No points out of it.
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Defense: 6 takeaways = 24 points (4 INT/2 fumble)
Takeaways on three straight drives (7 play span)
- Mike Hilton interception. Led to FG.
- Zac won a challenge on Trey Hendrickson forced fumble/Maema Njongmeta recovery. His second fumble recovery this week (MNF). Led to TD drive.
- CTB interception (3)….2nd in 3 weeks. Led to TD.
- Geno Stone first career Pick 6. Back-to-back games with INT.
- Jordan Battle scooped a McKinley Jackson fumble and raced 61 yards for a TD, only to drop/lose the ball prior to crossing the goal line. Fumble. Touchback.
- Josh Newton INT
BJ Hill sack in 3rd straight game.
Mike Hilton was a factor all day. Three tackles for loss.
Hendrickson forced multiple penalties on poor CJ Latham.
Allowed back-to-back TD to start the game.
2nd TD: Tyler Boyd beat Josh Newton for 40 yards, next play CTB PI.
The Titans ran 25 consecutive offensive snaps (including penalties) in a 3rd/4th quarter sequence: Levis threw a Pick 6 on the third snap of a drive. Then, it was a 22 snap drive that included a Jordan Battle fumble recovery, but his fumble at the goal line for a touchback gave possession back to the Titans regaining. The drive eventually ended with a Newton interception….The Titans ran plays for 11:44 of game clock, from 8:49 of the 3rd to 13:05 of the 4th. They got no points.
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Miscellaneous
Storyline: Devin Cochran started at left tackle in place of backup Cody Ford (illness) and starter Orlando Brown (fibula). Cochran entered with one NFL regular season snap. “ I don’t want to jinx him, but he’s done a pretty damn good job,” - Lap during 3rd quarter
After 11 penalties for 101 yards vs Steelers, and 10 penalties for 77 yards vs Cowboys, the Bengals added 14 for 113 yards.
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Special Teams:
Cody York: FG, missed PAT
Isaiah Williams: 15 yard PR
Ryan Rehkow's first and only punt came with 10:29 left.