Game Preview — Bengals vs. Titans
After a despicable game last week that saw the Titans offense only generate 6 points total the Titans (3-10) will take on a Cincinnati Bengals (5-8) team who also is failing to live up to expectations. HC Brian Callahan will take on his former team today as the Bengals are scraping for a playoff spot whereas the Titans are scraping for a top pick in the draft. The Titans were eliminated officially from playoff contention last week. However, it’s been known by many Titans fans for weeks now that the Titans had no shot of the playoffs after the Commanders game.
The Titans officially are the worst team overall in the NFL with a 64.1 PFF grade. Although, the Giants and Raiders are downright awful and are scheduled for the top two picks in the draft the Titans realistically are right there with them. The downtrodden Titans defense ranks 27th in points given up and the Titans offense ranks 30th in points. To be fair the Bengals defense is ranked as one of the worst in the league whereas, their offense is top 5 in the league. Before the season started I don’t believe anyone would have seen the Bengals fall from grace coming, yet here it is.
Regardless, the Titans will be tasked with stopping one of the most potent offenses in the NFL led by phenoms Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Both Burrow and Chase are leading their respective positions in yards and TD's. Dennard Wilson’s main objective today will be to stop Burrow and Chase from linking up. However, given the personnel available to the Titans that looks unlikely. Chidobe Awuzie may be matched up with his former teammate Ja’Marr Chase throughout the game. In Awuzie’s first game back last week he logged an interception and had a solid grade (76) from PFF. However, that was against the Jaguars who once were competing for the #1 overall pick until they rolled into Tennessee. Chase Brown, the Bengals RB post-Joe Mixon has had a solid year both running and catching the football. Brown has accumulated 735 yards rushing and 302 yards receiving on the year with 9 total touchdowns. Brown could be a problem for the Titans in both facets — rushing and passing. However, where the Titans are weakest is in the passing game and that should bode well for him on short screens or nickel and dime routes. Last week Tee Higgins had one of his worst games of the season — totaling just 23 yards on 2 catches against the Cowboys. That shouldn’t be the case today as he’ll most likely be matched up with Brownlee Jr. Although Brownlee Jr. has showed tenacity for playing CB as a rookie this may be his toughest task yet. With Higgins having one of his worst games of the season last week the Titans should expect a strong bounce back week from him given their inability to stop opposing offenses. Overall the “#2 overall defense” is going to be tested today.
The Titans offense bewildered fans last week as they were only able to muster 6 points against one of the worst defenses in the league. Today the Titans aren’t instilling hope as they did a week before that the offense can overcome one of the worst defenses on paper. HC Brian Callahan will need a MUCH better offensive game plan and success. QB Will Levis laid a stinker last week against the worst pass defense in the league. The Bengals pass coverage is ranked 26th in the NFL according to PFF. These next four games for Will Levis are crucial. In the games prior to Jacksonville Levis was on an upward trajectory; solidifying his case as the starter for 2025. Now, much is uncertain about the status of Will Levis and even more so HC Brian Callahan. If Levis is to show the Titans franchise he’s the QB of the future he can’t put up a game like last week. For Levis there is too much riding against him and it seems unlikely that he’ll suddenly turn the page and show those “franchise QB” traits that many were expecting since the beginning of this year. With the Titans firmly out of the playoff race it will be interesting to see how both Brian Callahan and Will Levis perform now that they’re playing spoiler. Running Back Tony Pollard is active today and he should eclipse 1000 yards on the season — he’s 63 yards away currently. Once again, if the Titans can establish a solid run game they should be able to have a modicum of success offensively. Remarkably that wasn’t true last week as Pollard rushed for 102 yards and 4.9 ypc. The Titans need to establish a solid run game today or they’ll be in worse trouble against the Bengals than last week.
Prediction:
The Titans are going to struggle containing the leagues best passer and pass catcher today. In addition, Will Levis should continue to struggle as he is who he is an average at best QB. The Titans lose 34-10 at home in what should be a disastrous loss that could spark change for this moribund Titans team.
