Overview
A rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional Round takes place when the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans meet.
The Bengals and Titans will be meeting for the first time Sunday since their matchup in the AFC Divisional Round in 2021.
Tennessee was the No. 1 seed in the playoffs a season ago, earning a first-round bye and meeting the fourth-seeded Bengals in the second round, where Cincinnati won 19-16.
Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill struggled in the loss, throwing three interceptions. Running back Derrick Henry was also stalled, rushing 20 times for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow also had an interception in the game while throwing for 348 yards. Running back Joe Mixon had the only touchdown off 14 rushes for 54 yards.
The Titans are 7-3 on top of the AFC South with the Bengals 6-4 and second in the AFC North. Both teams will be looking to remain in the postseason hunt.
Cincinnati Expects Key Player Back
When Cincinnati kicks off against Tennessee, the Bengals expect wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to be back in the lineup.
Chase has been sidelined with a hip injury for three games, however he wasn’t placed on injured reserve in hopes he would be available against the Titans. Cincinnati is 2-1 without him.
Through seven games, Chase has recorded 47 receptions for 605 yards and six touchdowns. Despite him being out, his receiving touchdowns still leads the team.
Chase’s injury came against New Orleans, however he finished out the game and played the following week against Atlanta as well, delivering two of his strongest games of the season.
Against the Saints, Chase had seven catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns, and he recorded eight receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns against the Falcons.
If Chase is able to return against the Titans, the Bengals will be getting a key weapon back to help extend their win streak.
One other concern for Cincinnati is Mixon, who is in concussion protocol.
Tennessee Takes New Approach
The Titans won for the fourth time in five games, but Henry wasn’t the reason for their last win.
Henry leads the NFL with 1,010 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, however he was slowed in Tennessee’s 27-17 win over Green Bay.
The Packers held Henry to 28 rushes for 87 yards and a touchdown, but the Titans found a different approach to win.
Tannehill went 22-for-27 for 333 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, with wide receiver Treylon Burks on the receiving end of many of those throws.
Burks finished with seven receptions for 111 yards while tight end Austin Hooper scored the two touchdowns.
With Cincinnati likely focusing its attention on stopping Henry, Burks will be important once again in Tennessee being able to move the ball.
Cincinnati vs. Tennessee Prediction
Both teams are on two-game winning streaks and playing strong. Tennessee will look to run the ball against a Cincinnati run defense that allows 117.1 rush yards a game.
The Bengals, meanwhile, will hope to get back an offensive weapon to use against a Titans pass defense that ranks in the bottom three in the league, allowing 266.8 pass yards a game.
With the Bengals also averaging 26.5 points a game, third in the league, expect them to get the win on the road.
