3 winners, 3 losers from Bengals’ thrilling win vs. Titans in Divisional Round
Bengals Losers vs. Titans
I’m starting with the losers first because we want to end on a positive note, don’t we?
When it comes to the Bengals losers, there were really only three (or seven, depending on how you look at it) who could be options here. You probably already know who’s about to make this section before you even get to the names.
Offensive Line
Nine times. That’s how many times Joe Burrow was sacked on Saturday evening in Nashville. It felt like every time Burrow dropped back to pass, the Titans pass rush was in his face and knocking him to the ground.
Now, it’s worth noting that some of those sacks were Burrow’s fault but when you take those out of the equation, he was still sacked, what, six times? Seven times? Too many times, if you ask me.
Hakeem Adeniji and Isaiah Prince struggled the most but the entire o-line had a rough day at the office. If this game isn’t proof to the front office that the team needs to spend nearly all of their money on the o-line, I’m not sure what will.
Samaje Perine
When a team has the likes of Joe Mixon, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd on their offense, why on earth is Samaje Perine out there on a crucial play?
The fact of the matter is that Perine was out there and he was the reason Amani Hooker picked off Joe Burrow in questionable fashion and the Titans went on to score not long after. That pick could have ended Cincinnati’s season, as Tennessee tied the game on that touchdown and it felt like momentum was squarely on their side.
The momentum has completely changed in favor of the Titans since the Perine drop that led to the interception
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) January 23, 2022
Chidobe Awuzie
Don’t get me wrong — Chidobe Awuzie was worth every penny Cincinnati spent on him in free agency but oh man this game was by far his worst in a Bengals uniform.
Awuzie was tasked with covering A.J. Brown and it did not go well, to say the least. Brown torched Awuzie on multiple plays, including one where he grabbed the tying touchdown at the end of the third quarter.
With either the Bills or Chiefs up next, it’s important that Awuzie bounce back from this poor performance.
Chido is having his worst game in a very long time.
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) January 22, 2022