CINCINNATI, Ohio - The beginning of the Cincinnati Bengals’ gauntlet of a second-half season schedule begins this weekend.
After gutting out a rare win in Pittsburgh last week, the Bengals will face a slate of teams that made the playoffs last year that are also primed to return to the postseason this year. The Bengals will face the AFC South leading Tennessee Titans in a rematch of last season’s AFC divisional playoff game.
Much like last season’s playoff game, both teams have an even advantage through different sides of the ball. With that, here are our cleveland.com writers’ picks and predictions for this Sunday’s matchup in Music City:
Michael Niziolek: Bengals 24, Titans 20
The Titans’ best win right now is against a middling Washington Commanders team. The combined record of the teams they have beat this season is 15-40, that’s obviously not very good, and five of their seven wins came in one-possession games.
What’s the problem? The offense, or lack thereof. They have only scored more than 25 points once this season and have one of the least productive offenses in the league.
The Bengals are trending in the other direction and that should give them an advantage on Sunday, especially if Ja’Marr Chase is able to suit up.
Andrew Gillis: Bengals 27, Titans 20
I think the (likely) return of Ja’Marr Chase is a huge, huge deal for the Bengals in what they can do offensively, and how defenses play them. I’m also not very sold on the Titans as a concept. They’re always a good team that will play physical football, but I question if they have the firepower to keep up with the AFC’s top teams on a week-to-week basis.
I think Cincinnati gets to 7-4 with a massive win in Nashville.
Mohammad Ahmad: Bengals 21, Titans 16
This is a score that closely mirrors last year’s playoff game that the Bengals won in walk-off fashion, 19-16.
Both teams will be without some of their most valuable stars: Tennessee outside linebacker Denico Autry (knee) has been declared out. Bengals running back Joe Mixon (concussion) is also scratched for this Sunday. Still, the matchup will be even. Cincinnati’s offense has been nothing short of exciting. The Titans’ underrated defense is coming off one of its best performances of the season in a prime-time win in Green Bay.
However, Joe Burrow and the Bengals are looking as confident as ever. Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been anything but reliable and, while he might not throw three interceptions like he did in last year’s playoff game, he won’t make many highlight-worthy plays.
Having running back Derrick Henry might keep the Titans. But Cincinnati’s top-10 offense and defense will get the last laugh again, setting up a potential playoff rematch in January.
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