A win’s a win, but man, was this an ugly game or what? In the Bengals 37 - 27 win over the Tennessee Titans, the two teams combined for ten turnovers and 26 penalties in what was almost certainly the sloppiest game of the NFL season. The league hasn’t seen that kind of incompetence since at least 2000. Titans quarterback Will Levis, who had three turnovers in seven plays at one point, seemed personally insistent on keeping the Bengals slim playoff chances alive – at least until he was unceremoniously replaced by Mason Rudolph in the third quarter. Thanks Will! Believe me when I say, the Bengals could not have won this game without you.
If the Bengals had been playing a half-decent opponent, this probably would have been a loss. Joe Burrow had three ugly turnovers, including a severely underthrown pass to Ja’Marr Chase, Jordan Battle fumbled a would-be defensive touchdown out of the back of the endzone for a bewildering touchback, their new kicker Cade York missed an extra point, and the Bengals committed a season-high fourteen penalties. Fortunately, the Titans were more than a match for the Bengals ineptitude today. They allowed Sam Hubbard to score a touchdown – what does that tell you?
The ten-point final margin is misleading. This game simultaneously could have been much closer and a much larger blowout. Neither team played anywhere close to their best game. If Rudolph had started instead of Levis, the Titans may have won. On the other hand, if Battle just holds on to the football instead of celebrating early, the Bengals are routing the Titans. Heck, cut out a few penalties on either side, and who knows what this score looks like?
Despite collecting six turnovers – the most by a Bengals defense since 2007 – and scoring a defensive touchdown courtesy of a Geno Stone interception, this was another atrocious performance by a unit that’s been racking up atrocious performances all year long. The Bengals allowed more than 370 total yards of offense for the eight time. Tennessee’s receivers, along with tight end Chig Okonkwo, were feasting on the Bengals corners. Worst of all, though, this Bengals D demonstrated without a doubt that it has no pride.
Nowhere was this better exemplified than on the Titans final offensive drive. With the game already out of hand, and with just 1:09 left to play, the Bengals allowed Rudolph and Co. to march 70 yards on seven plays, culminating with one of the easiest-looking touchdowns you’ll ever see. They were ready to go home – their (lack of) effort was appallingly apparent on every play. There’s no obvious or easy solution, but something drastic has to change if the Bengals have any plans on winning out the rest of the way.
Still, as sloppy, bizarre, and frustrating as this game was, the Bengals simply, absolutely had to win – and they did. The Titans are a bad football team, plain and simple. A loss today would have ended the Bengals season once and for all. Instead, the Bengals stay alive for another week. The Bengals odds of reaching the postseason are still incredibly slim, but this was an important step.
And it wasn’t all bad. Slot corner Mike Hilton had himself a throwback day. It hasn’t been an easy year for him, but today was a reminder of how impactful Hilton can still be. He came flying into the backfield for multiple run stops, and following a pass breakup from Josh Newton, Hilton secured his first interception of the season with a diving catch. With his career in Cincinnati probably coming to a close at the end of the year, it was great to see a guy who’s been a class-act have one more monster game.
Chase continued his march toward the receiving triple-crown with 9 catches for 94 yards, and Tee Higgins stepped up with five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown, including multiple tough catches through contact. Running back Chase Brown churned out 97 gritty yards on the ground against a stout Titans defensive line and scored two more touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving. He’s quickly becoming one of the most versatile backs in the entire league, and if the Bengals can ever figure out the offensive line, he could have even more opportunity to shine.
Most importantly, though the Bengals got a much-needed win. They proved yet again that they’ll always play up or down to their competition, and that doesn’t bode well for their chances moving forward, but why worry about that now? Meaningful football is still on the docket, and that can’t be taken for granted.
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