The Cincinnati Bengals got a huge break even before the ball kicked off for Week 8's game against the Titans when Tennessee traded Jeffery Simmons to the Bears. Cincinnati was already going to be heavily favored to win at home. Simmons' departure only further cements that notion.
But let's not pretend like this is going to be a total walk in the park. The Bengals have a massive trip to Madrid coming next week, and they're fresh off an emotionally charged divisional win in Baltimore.
Meanwhile, the Titans are gaining a little bit of steam after beating the Colts in Week 6 and coming just three points shy (27-24) of winning over the Browns in Nashville last Sunday.
The NFL is too strange for Cincinnati to totally overlook Tennessee. Let's dive in further to see how this contest could play out. Spoiler alert: I still fully believe the Bengals win this one going away...
How to watch Bengals vs. Titans Week 8 matchup
- Time: 1.p.m. ET
- TV Network: CBS
- Streaming: NFL+ (NFL app or via browser) / NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV
- International: DAZN Game Pass
Bengals vs. Titans injury updates in Week 8
The only notable injury-related absences for Cincinnati are well-known by now. Tight end Erick All Jr. suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 7. Safety Kyle Dugger has reaggravated his quad injury and is already ruled out for Sunday.
It's a lot more depressing for Tennessee on the injury front. In addition to the sudden loss of Simmons, another Titans stud d-tackle, John Franklin-Myers, is questionable with groin and back injuries. First-round wide receiver Carnell Tate is out as well due to an ailing shoulder.
Would've been fun to see ex-Michigan standout DJ Turner lock horns with Tate, who starred at Ohio State before hitting the pro ranks. In addition to Tate, though, Tennessee may also be without wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who's nursing a hip injury and is questionable.
Storylines to watch for Bengals in Week 8
- Can Cincinnati avoid a colossal letdown?
- Is the running game going to wake up, or is a trade necessary?
- Tony Pollard is an ideal future running back for the Bengals
- Titans' demise can be directly traced to Cincinnati
Starting with that first bit, I'd be remiss not to share this breakdown of Tennessee's misery since losing at home in the Divisional Round as The No. 1 seed to the Bengals:
Cincinnati proceeded on to Super Bowl LVI from there and came so close to the Lombardi Trophy. Only lost the AFC title game by three points the following year, and despite missing the playoffs the last three seasons, at least the Bengals have salvaged two winning records in that span.
It's human nature for Cincinnati to take it easy at home, think the Titans will be a pushover, and rest on the laurels of being a double-digit favorite and that aforementioned shared history. What a trap that is.
Zac Taylor didn't have the Bengals ready to play in the first half last week. The defense let Tyler Huntley throw for over 200 yards in the first 30 minutes. Is it really so crazy to think Cam Ward could gain some early confidence facing this Cincy secondary?
I think it is kind of crazy, yeah, except that Tony Pollard, who could be the prime trade target for the Bengals before the deadline, is perhaps the most underrated running back in the NFL.
Pollard has four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and is fixing to have a fifth. Cincinnati must tap into the strength that stymied Derrick Henry in Week 7 to make sure Pollard doesn't break loose for some game-changing explosive runs.
I still say Kenny Gainwell, or more prominently, Jonathan Taylor are the best trade candidates if the Bengals want to upgrade at running back over the Chase Brown-Samaje Perine tandem. But let's see how Sunday goes. Maybe Brown and Perine will finally wake up and do something now that Simmons is in Chicago and Franklin-Myers might not play.
Final score prediction
- Bengals 38, Titans 10
Adjusting this a little bit from the 31-3 forecast I had a couple weeks or so ago. The Titans have looked more competitive the last two games, and while the Bengals' offense showed out in Baltimore, it's rare to have a linear sort of week-to-week success in the NFL.
That said, Tennessee is a far less dangerous foe than the Ravens. I'd expect a few more points from Joe Burrow and Co., because I just don't think the Titans have the dudes to guard Ja'Marr Chase or Tee Higgins. Most teams don't, but these guys especially.
And again, Burrow is in a different galaxy as a QB than Ward. If Tennessee is playing from behind, they have no chance. I could see maybe a gritty sort of 24-10 situation at the start of the fourth quarter before Ward coughs up a turnover and the Bengals tack on two late TDs.
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