The Cincinnati Bengals survived a wild 43-36 shootout with the Tennessee Titans behind six total touchdowns from Joe Burrow, including a nine-yard scramble for the winning score in overtime. The results provided plenty of drama across the division, but perhaps the biggest takeaway was the Bengals’ defense, which looked disturbingly similar to the unit that plagued Cincinnati throughout last season.
Bengals survive overtime shootout vs. Titans
The Cincinnati Bengals escaped with a 43-36 overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, but
the final score did little to disguise another troubling defensive performance. Joe Burrow threw five touchdown passes and had three interceptions in a game that featured dramatic momentum swings, costly mistakes, and enough defensive breakdowns to remind Bengals fans of last season’s struggles. Cincinnati ultimately prevailed with an offensive touchdown in overtime for just the second time in franchise history.
Tennessee wasted little time exposing Cincinnati’s defensive problems, jumping to a 13-0 first-quarter lead. Tony Pollard broke loose for a 40-yard touchdown run, and the Titans repeatedly found opportunities against a Bengals defense that struggled to contain the run and prevent sustained drives. Cincinnati eventually responded behind Burrow, who connected with Ja’Marr Chase for a 30-yard touchdown on third-and-18 and found rookie tight end Jack Endries for another score before halftime. The Bengals took a 14-13 lead into the locker room despite an uneven opening half.
Burrow’s afternoon was a study in extremes. His five touchdown passes demonstrated the explosive potential of Cincinnati’s offense, but three interceptions by Tennessee safety Amani Hooker repeatedly threatened to undo that production. Cincinnati benefited from a defensive takeaway of its own when Boye Mafe forced a Cam Ward fumble that Dexter Lawrence recovered, setting up Burrow’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins.
Yet the biggest concern was the Bengals’ defense. Despite offseason efforts to improve the unit, Cincinnati surrendered 36 points in regulation to a Tennessee team that entered the game with just one victory. Pollard’s running and Ward’s ability to move the offense repeatedly put the Bengals on their heels. The performance was an uncomfortable reminder of last season, when defensive shortcomings regularly forced Burrow and the offense to compensate for mistakes on the other side of the ball.
Steelers crush Browns to take AFC North lead
The Pittsburgh Steelers left little doubt about who belongs atop the AFC North on Sunday, overwhelming the Cleveland Browns 27-6. Pittsburgh (6-2) won its fourth consecutive game, avenging an earlier loss to Cleveland and claiming sole possession of first place in the division. The Browns fell to 5-3 after failing to score a touchdown against a relentless Steelers defense.
Pittsburgh controlled the game on the ground, with Jaylen Warren rushing for 143 yards on 17 carries and Rico Dowdle adding 56 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers piled up 160 rushing yards in the first half alone, building a 20-6 halftime advantage. Tight end Pat Freiermuth scored on a one-yard sneak with one second remaining in the second quarter, capping a late drive that effectively put Cleveland on its heels.
The Steelers’ defense was equally impressive, recording eight sacks, forcing two turnovers and limiting Cleveland to just 34 rushing yards. T.J. Watt collected two sacks, while Patrick Queen contributed 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Cleveland managed minus one yard of offense in the opening quarter, and quarterback Deshaun Watson spent much of the afternoon on his back.
Aaron Rodgers completed 13 of 25 passes for 172 yards, including a 58-yard connection to Darnell Washington that set up Warren’s third-quarter touchdown and pushed Pittsburgh’s lead to 27-6. Washington finished with a career-best 94 receiving yards as the Steelers cruised to their 23rd consecutive regular-season home victory over the Browns.
Bills crush Ravens, Lamar Jackson lost to injury
The Baltimore Ravens suffered a disastrous afternoon in Buffalo on Sunday, falling 36-10 to the Bills in a game that quickly became a nightmare for their quarterback room. Lamar Jackson, who had missed the previous three games with an ankle injury, hurt his thumb on Baltimore’s first offensive play and never returned. Backup Tyler Huntley also suffered an injury, forcing the Ravens to turn to third-string quarterback Joe Fagnano. The loss dropped Baltimore to 4-4 and extended its losing streak to three games.
Buffalo jumped ahead 10-0 on Josh Allen’s one-yard touchdown run and a 56-yard field goal by Tyler Bass. Derrick Henry briefly brought Baltimore back into contention with a two-yard touchdown run, but the Ravens struggled to generate offense with their depleted quarterback group. Buffalo led 16-7 at halftime, and Baltimore managed only a third-quarter field goal before the Bills took complete control. James Cook scored on a five-yard run, while Allen connected with DJ Moore for an 11-yard touchdown and Dalton Kincaid for a 23-yard score.
Allen’s touchdown pass to Moore was particularly significant, moving him past Jim Kelly for the most career touchdown passes in Bills franchise history. Buffalo improved to 6-1, while Baltimore faces mounting questions about its offense and the health of its quarterbacks.
AFC North Standings
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 6-2
- Cincinnati Bengals: 5-2
- Cleveland Browns: 5-3
- Baltimore Ravens: 4-4
