The Tennessee Titans were already a less than formidable Week 8 foe for the Cincinnati Bengals before they traded away star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons mere days before kickoff. Now as we get closer to game time, it's looking even worse for the 1-6 Titans.
Unless the decidedly Bengals-unfriendly officiating crew gifts Tennessee multiple dubious penalties or calls in their favor, the 11.5-point spread I last saw isn't high enough.
This isn't some, like, sports betting advice. It's just a barometer by which matchups are measured. And this Titans-Bengals duel has the chance to be one of the most lopsided contests of the entire NFL season due to how many injuries are piling up for Sunday's visitors to Paycor Stadium.
Carnell Tate among key Titans out vs. Bengals in the wake of Jeffery Simmons trade
Shout out Trags for dropping these nuggets here on a Friday, as Tennessee's injury rap sheet looks pretty bad.
Bengals injury report Friday: Bengals catch a break. Not only is Simmons now in Chicago, RB Tyjae Spears, WR Carnell Tate and punter Tommy Townsend all OUT. pic.twitter.com/ugLtNjx0S6
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) October 30, 2026
Meanwhile, the Bengals had the luxury of resting many of their featured players, with the safety spot the only notable concern given Kyle Dugger's nagging quad injury and Jordan Battle's hammy.
As for the Titans' side of things, which is the main focus here, first-round wideout and ex-Ohio State star Carnell Tate won't have a chance to show out in Cincy, where surely a lot of local fans used to root for him.
So now the main guy for ex-Michigan Wolverine and Bengals stud cornerback DJ Turner to worry about is...ahem...Elic Ayomanor? Or Calvin Ridley, who's questionable with a hip injury anyway? Really wish we got that OSU-Michigan clash between Tate and Turner. Maybe some other time.
Goodness gracious though, right? Cam Ward is already an embattled quarterback. Those weapons aren't doing him any favors. No Ja'Marr Chase or Tee Higgins walking through that door.
Speaking of offensive skill talent, with Tennessee running back Tony Pollard at the center of trade speculation — maybe to the Bengals! — Sunday's visitors won't have the luxury of spelling Pollard with his main backup. Tyjae Spears is also out of action.
And yet another red flag for the Titans: John Franklin-Myers is listed as questionable. JFM was a beloved free agent target of mine. Couldn't believe he was convinced to sign in Nashville. Happy we got Jonathan Allen, who wasn't even on my radar because he was only one year into a three-year contract in Minnesota.
Primary point being, you see how ominous this looks for the Titans. About as bad as it gets. The vibes couldn't be lower. I realize that Tennessee only lost to the AFC North-leading Browns by three points in Week 7 and won the game prior, yet this is a 1-6 team that got so much worse with Simmons getting shipped out of town.
Seriously, is there a path at all to the Titans winning? Pollard running absolutely wild? The light bulb exploding on for Ward where he transforms into an elite QB overnight? Not a lot to like!
Add us as a preferred source on Google