Bengals Q&A: Titansized.com Editor Dave Bevan

Aug 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Terence Newman (23) tackles Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nate Washington (85) in the first quarter of a preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Tennessee Titans in Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday at 1pm. We got a generous offer from Titansized.com’s editor to do a questions and answer piece, just to get an idea of how the other side of the field views Sunday’s matchup.

Stripe Hype: The 2-0 Bengals take on the 1-1 Tennessee Titans on Sunday, what are the things to watch for with the Titans team?

Dave Bevan: Well, it starts with Titans quarterback Jake Locker. All eyes are on him to see if he can bounce back from last week’s loss to the Cowboys. If Locker can avoid interceptions, then it will be a struggle for Cincinnati to stop Tennessee’s offense. Also, some of the Titans top players should be returning from injuries – running back Dexter McCluster and cornerback Jason MCourty.

Stripe Hype: Who should be on the Bengals watch list for possible impact players for the Titans?

DB: If running back Dexter McCluster is good to go from recovering from his injuries, he will really balance out the run game for the Titans. Cornerback Jason McCourty should be ready to play after suffering a groin injury in the game against the cowboys. He leads the tough Titans secondary and will cause frustration for the Bengals receivers.

Stripe Hype: What Bengals players are on Titans radar to keep in check?

DB: You have to start with Andy Dalton. The Bengals quarterback is having a very successful start to the season. The focus on defense will be for the secondary to make it difficult when Dalton throws downfield. That seems to be when he poses the hugest threat. You also have to watch for the Bengals running game that has had success so far on the ground. Giovani Bernardi and Jeremy Hill are looking to be a tough duo to stop on the Bengals’ run game.

Stripe Hype: What are your keys to the game on Sunday?

DB: Like I said before, it starts with Jake Locker and him preventing interceptions for the Titans offense to succeed. The secondary will need to make it a struggle for the Bengals receivers to cause mismatches and find an opening on downfield passes. We want to see the defense shut down the Bengals run game as well.

Stripe Hype: What is your prediction for the game?

DB: Andy Dalton is on fire right now. The Bengals strength is their high-power offense. If there is any advantage for the Titans in this game is that they have one of the best pass defenses in the league. I see the game staying close through three quarters, but the Bengals may pull away late in the game. Bengals win 27-20.