The Cincinnati Bengals will be back at their home stadium for the first time since the Week 4 loss to Jacksonville.
Somehow, the Bengals have only played two home games so far this entire season. They will be welcoming the 1-6 Tennessee Titans to Paycor Stadium.
Now, let’s take a look at the Bengals’ biggest keys to victory against a sneaky Titans squad.
Don’t underestimate your opponent
How many times over the years have we seen the Bengals lose a game that they had no business losing? We all remember the Mike White game against the Bengals during
the 2021 season. Just last year we had another loss to the New York Jets that was absolutely brutal. Come to think of it, we should be thankful this game isn’t against the Jets this week.
It is a similar feeling coming into the game, though. The Titans look overmatched on paper. They are 31st in passing yards per game offensively, while being 26th in rushing yards per game offensively. The Bengals defense, led by Dexter Lawrence, was lights out in the second half against Baltimore, after doing enough in the first half to at least keep the score within striking distance with the offense struggling.
Meanwhile, the Bengals’ offense was able to put up 35 second-half points on the road against the Baltimore Ravens. Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense should be able to easily move the ball on Tennessee. However, this is the NFL. It is a week-to-week league. The Titans played the Browns close just last week, and probably should have been able to win that game after taking an early 14-0 lead. If you come out flat any given week, you can lose to anyone in this league.
Contain Tony Pollard
Tony Pollard had 129 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns against Cleveland. He was the majority of the Tennessee offense during that game, adding another 26 yards receiving on three receptions.
The Bengals have been inconsistent against the run this year. They were able to keep Derrick Henry in check last week. Henry averaged just 2.6 yards per carry against Cincinnati. If they can do something similar against Tony Pollard this week, they should be able to come out with the victory.
Throw the ball from shotgun early
I think the Bengals should just come out firing. When they basically dropped under-center for the majority of the second half against the Ravens, they looked like the offense we have grown accustomed to watching during the Joe Burrow era. I say keep that same attitude to start this one. You can always add in more under-center and run the ball more once you have built up a two-score lead. Be aggressive and don’t keep the Ferraris in the garage. Throw the ball to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins so that those guys can do what they do.
If we come out aggressive offensively and build a quick lead, I think you can roll this week. You never want to start off slow and allow a struggling team to gain confidence. If that happens, the Bengals could get upset at home against Tennessee. Once again, you just cannot take any opponent lightly in the NFL. We don’t want to be looking back at this game all season for one that we had no business losing, so come out firing from the jump.
What’s your biggest key to getting this W?
