NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Revenge is off the menu, at the very least not for the Titans, even with Cincinnati visiting Music Metropolis for the primary time because the The Bengals ended the Tennessee run because the AFC’s No.1 seed final January.
Oh, Tennessee followers would possibly rejoice on the alternative for a bit of payback for the Tremendous Bowl plaza they wished a lot. With so many roster adjustments, these Titans insist that this season’s hunt for the playoffs has their consideration on Sunday, not their loss within the division.
“Greater than half of our crew did not even play on this sport,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel mentioned of a roster that has confronted 25 completely different gamers on protection alone this season.
These groups have extra in frequent than that playoff sport, with each beginning this season 0-2 earlier than bouncing again.
Tennessee (7-3) has gained seven of eight, together with one 27-17 victory in Inexperienced Bay on November 17, giving the stoned Titans a well-deserved lengthy weekend.
Cincinnati (6-4) has gained 4 of 5, together with one 37-30 win in Pittsburgh final weekend for the Premier League from defending champions AFC North this season.
The Titans sit atop the AFC South with a wholesome lead, chasing their third straight division title. They rallied behind Derrick Henry main the NFL in speeding once more and a protection that has been among the many stingiest within the league since being blown out in Week 2 at Buffalo.
Tennessee is giving up simply 15.4 factors per sport since that loss, and the Titans are giving up a minimal of 60.4 yards per sport in that span. Cincinnati and Joe Burrow have been among the many NFL’s prime offensive scorers in the identical span, tied for third with 28.5 factors per sport.
Cincinnati entered Week 12 seventh within the AFC, and 6 of the Bengals’ seven remaining opponents would at present be within the playoffs.
Burrow says it is already playoff time.
“All of those video games matter,” Burrow mentioned. “They are going to matter within the standings on the highway, so we’ve got to exit and play our greatest ball on the proper time.”
PAINFUL LOSS
That divisional loss damage Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill so badly along with his third interception with 20 seconds remaining, organising Cincinnati’s game-winning area objective. Tannehill spoke in Might of want remedy to assist with the “deep scar” of this sport.
Tannehill is coming off his finest sport this season, throwing for 333 yards and two touchdowns. He is solely been intercepted 4 instances in eight video games this season.
“Yearly is a bit of completely different,” Tannehill mentioned. “There’s a barely completely different psychological aspect. Myself and everybody included has grown mentally all through the challenges of this yr.
HENRI IN GOOD HEALTH
On the final assembly of those groups, Cincinnati held Henry to 62 speeding yards and a landing. The 2-time NFL operating champion had simply been activated after lacking the ultimate 9 video games of the common season with a damaged proper foot.
Henry is now wholesome as the primary operating again to succeed in the 1,000 yard mark, and he has 1,010 speeding yards and 10 touchdowns. He had 132 yards from scrimmage final week, throwing the third TD go of his profession and taking a 42-yard display go.
“We all know final yr we had him popping out of harm, so it is going to be a bit of bit completely different from what we see from him this week,” the Cincinnati coach mentioned. Zac Taylor.
THE RETURN OF JA’MARR?
Bengals large receiver Ja’Marr Chase might be again as quickly as Sunday after returning to follow on Wednesday, though he was restricted. Chase suffered his first hip harm on October 16 and missed three consecutive video games thanks bye from Cincinnati.
The reigning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the 12 months has 47 catches for 605 yards and 6 touchdowns this season. The Bengals went 2-1 with out Chase. Taylor mentioned the receiver is daily.
“I do know as quickly as he is able to go, he’ll be again able to play and hold making performs,” Burrow mentioned.
MORE THAN BAGS
The Titans set a franchise document and tied the NFL playoff mark with 9 sacks in that divisional loss. However Vrabel instantly pointed to the larger downside after the loss: His Titans did not strip Burrow of the ball as soon as because the Bengals gained the turnover battle with three interceptions to Tennessee’s one.
“We hold speaking about final yr,” mentioned 2021 Professional Bowl defensive deal with Jeffery Simmons, who had three sacks in that divisional loss. “We did not have a single sack with 9 sacks, so we might get to the quarterback. Let’s additionally attempt to get the ball off the quarterback.
Tennessee shall be with out defensive lineman Denico Autry, the sack chief this season with seven. However exterior linebacker Bud Dupree might be again after lacking the earlier sport and three total with an injured hip. Security Amani Hooker may be again after lacking two video games with a left shoulder harm.
THE STRENGTH OF NUMBERS
With out Chase, Burrow made positive to have the remainder of the Cincinnati offense within the combine. Working again Joe Mixon rushed for 153 yards and scored 5 whole touchdowns in a 42-21 rout of Carolina. However he left final week’s sport with a concussion and must clear protocol play in Tennessee.
After Mixon left, Samaje Perine scored three touchdowns on 4 receptions, and large receiver Trenton Irwin caught the primary landing go of his profession. Burrow ended up finishing passes to seven completely different receivers whereas throwing for 355 yards and 4 touchdowns.
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