The 2021-2022 Tennessee Titans are probably one of the most underappreciated number one seeds in the history of the NFL. The team is underrated because it is in a small market, it does not have the big star players but what they do have is an identity that makes them a difficult team to play. Mike Vrabel has built his team to run the football with whoever is in the backfield. He emphasized the need to win the battle at the point of attack on the offensive and defensive line. On Saturday, the Titans begin their conquest towards their first Superbowl when they play a young budding team in the Cincinnati Bengals. In this article, we preview and predict the winner of the game.
The Bengals- the Titans’ preparation on defense will center around stopping the seemingly unstoppable connection between Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Chase is likely the unanimous rookie of the year put on a show in his playoff debut by catching nine passes for 116 yards. In his last five games, Burrow has played tremendously by throwing for 1,720 yards, 13 touchdowns, and no interceptions. It makes it a bad matchup for a Titans defense that ranks second to last in reception and yards allowed in the NFL. Look for the Bengals to attack in the air on the big passing plays because they lead the league in that category. The problem for Cincinnati is the offensive line protecting Joe to unleash those throws. The line has allowed 55 sacks which rank 30th in the league. Harold Landry and Denico Autry will look to terrorize the offensive line with a combined 21 sacks on the season. Joe Mixon will difficult task of running the ball against a Titans’ defense that does well in neutralizing the run game.
The Titans- by all indications, Derrick Henry has returned to practice and should make his long-awaited return this weekend. It remains to be seen if Henry will be fit but if he is at least 80%, this Titans offense will be difficult to stop. Regardless of Henry’s return, Mike Vrabel will look to run the ball through D’onta Foreman, Dontrell Hillard along with the scrambling ability of Ryan Tannehill. He also has top targets in A.J. Brown and Julio Jones on the outside. The Titans lead the league in rushing attempts while the Bengals struggled to stop Josh Jacobs who had 83 yards on 18 carries last week for the Raiders. The Bengals are also dealing with injures to three defensive linemen in last week’s game. Tannehill is playing his best football when his team needs it with seven touchdowns and an interception in the past three games. The key for the Bengals will be generating pressure on Tannehill with 47 sacks allowed this season which ranks 26th in the league.
3. Head to Head-the Titans and Bengals have met 76 times in the league with Tennessee’s franchise leading the series 40-35-1 dating back to the days when they were known as the Houston Oilers. The Titans are 9-5 in the past 14 games dating back to 1999 when the franchise changed its name. However, the Bengals have won three of the last four games, and it includes a home game last season by a scoreline of 31-20.
4. Stats-Derrick Henry played only eight games this season but was playing at an MVP level before the injury. He had 210 attempts, 937 yards, ten touchdowns, and 4.3 yards per rush. Despite playing half the amount of games, he still had more yards than Hillard and Foreman combined which shows that a healthy Henry is a tough ask for any defense.
5. Prediction- Joe Burrow has proven that he is trending towards becoming an elite quarterback with his recent play down the stretch of the regular season. However, after the euphoria of winning their first game in thirty years, he has to now go on the road to beat a rested and hungry Titans team. If Burrow is protected, he is capable of slicing the defense apart. However, I feel the Titans will put pressure on him in this matchup to exploit their weakness. On the other hand, the Titans will not put the game on Tannehill’s shoulder but run the ball effectively against a banged-up Cincinnati defense. I have the Titans winning but in a tight contest.
Titans 28-Bengals 24