The Cincinnati Bengals are eighth in the AFC standings entering Sunday's action against the Baltimore Ravens, but by day's end, could very well be atop the AFC North division if some breaks go their way.
While winning at Baltimore is no easy task whether Lamar Jackson plays or not, the Bengals did so last Thanksgiving 32-14 with a much less talented roster on defense. Joe Burrow was just back in the lineup and knocking off rust too.
As we gear up for the Trey Hendrickson revenge game, though, that grudge match isn't the only narrative that could totally boost the Bengals' outlook.
Titans upsetting the Browns would be the ultimate springboard into Madrid for Cincinnati
As important as it is for the Bengals to get the "W" in Baltimore especially if Lamar can't go, the Tennessee Titans have all the makings of playing spoiler to the Cleveland Browns in Nashville.
The Browns are coming off a pretty ugly 13-10 win over the Ravens. Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson has taken a whopping 24 sacks already and will face a Titans interior pass rush anchored by Jeffery Simmons and John Franklin-Myers. That alone is a recipe for disaster.
And honestly at what point do the Titans put it together on offense? Maybe this week. They're overdue for a good showing. Tony Pollard provides a solid backfield presence, and Cam Ward at least has some talented wideouts at his disposal, headlined by rookie first-round pick Carnell Tate.
If Cleveland overlooks the Titans just a little bit, this is a classic trap game scenario. And what a blessing it'd be for the Bengals not only in the division, but also for their chances in Week 8.
Speaking of trap games, between Sunday's a road trip to Baltimore and an excursion to Madrid to face the Falcons, the Titans roll into Paycor Stadium next week. Talk about the epitome of a trap game, right?
Should Tennessee pull off the improbable upset over the Browns, they'd be feeling themselves off back-to-back wins. Let's just say it's been a while since that happened!
The Titans last won consecutive games November 13 & 17, 2022.
— Hutton & Withrow (@Hutton_Withrow) October 23, 2026
Since then, it's been a 64-game drought without back-to-back wins.
The LONGEST drought ever? The Cleveland Browns went 65 games without winning consecutive games from 2014-18.
The Titans can BREAK the streak with… pic.twitter.com/Km3IANPZYi
I mean shoot, the Titans just beat the Lou Anarumo defensive coordinated Indianapolis Colts for their first win last week. And this is despite the Colts possessing the ball for over 38 minutes.
Regardless of how this game against the Ravens plays out, the Bengals would have zero reason to overlook the Titans under such circumstances. And to me, that would all but guarantee an easy home-cooking win before a rather brutal travel across the pond and two prime-time games stateside thereafter.
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