Can Mike Mularkey lead the Tennessee Titans (5-3) to four wins in a row? To do so he’ll have to beat the Cincinnati Bengals (3-5) at Nissan Stadium Sunday.
This game will be presented to you and those you care most about by the FOX television network and its affiliates at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans (-4.5)
O/U: 40.5
The History
The Titans and Bengals have faced off 74 times since 1968 with Tennessee/Houston Oilers holding a 39-34-1 advantage in the all time series.
From 1970 to 2001, the Titans/Oilers were both in the now defunct AFC Central division along with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and from 1995-2001, the Baltimore Ravens.
The Bengals and Titans haven’t played since September 21, 2014 with Cincy winning 33-7.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-5)
The Bengals did absolutely nothing on offense against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week in a 23-7 loss. They managed one touchdown and it came in the first half. The converted just one third down and had only eight first downs in the entire game. Cincy possessed the ball 19:46 out of 60 minutes. It was a pathetic outing all around.
But there’s more bad. The Bengals gained a total of 148 yards and over 30 percent of that came on one play, a 59 yard catch from tight end Tyler Kroft. That means every other play that Cincinnati ran gained 89 yards. In the game. Good God.
Of course, we all saw wide receiver A.J. Green get kicked out after a scuffle with Jacksonville cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Luckily, he didn’t get suspended. Joe Mixon will no longer have to share carries in the backfield with Jeremy Hill. The Bengals placed Hill on injured reserve, wrapping up his time with the team. He’ll be a free agent next year.
Linebacker Kevin Minter is out for the game as is defensive tackle Pat Sims. Safety Shawn Williams is listed as doubtful. He didn’t practice Friday.
TENNESSEE TITANS (5-3)
Mike Mularkey just accomplished something with the Titans he hadn’t in his entire coaching career; he won three games in a row. I still can’t believe it happened and, frankly, the Baltimore Ravens should be ashamed. Tennessee beat them 23-20.
Now the unthinkable is on the table. Could a Mularkey coached team win four games in a row? We’re off book here. This is the undiscovered country. Uncharted territory. We’re sailing off the edge of the world.
So let’s ignore Mularkey for a minute, if we can, and look at what Tennessee was able to do against the Ravens last week. Quarterback Marcus Mariota still isn’t 100 percent, but he passed the ball OK. He finished 19 of 28 for 218 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. The Titans didn’t run it well at all, which makes the fact that they won even more shocking. They got a total of 71 yards on the ground, with Derrick Henry carrying eight times for 26 yards and a touchdown. DeMarco Murray carried it nine times for 19 yards.
Rookie Adoree Jackson had the longest gain of the day at 20 yards and he’s a cornerback for God’s sake.
Was it the defense, then? They let the Ravens get 24 first downs and finish 6-of-16 on third downs and 3-of-4 on fourth downs. Baltimore actually led in time of possession, 32:22 to 27:38. They did force two turnovers, both Joe Flacco picks, and those were the difference in the game. They sacked Flacco twice and got six stops in the backfield. The Ravens were just generous. That’s all there is to it.
Quinton Spain is listed as out for the Titans. Everybody else practiced this week.
The Pick
The sportsbooks can list this one however they want. I just can’t see Mularkey winning four in a row. If not for a couple of picks, he wouldn’t have won three in a row. He’s one of the worst coaches in the history of the NFL and that will matter Sunday, even though he’s facing off against Marvin Lewis. Bengals 20, Titans 19
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 9-4
Against the spread: 11-2
Season
Straight up: 78-54
Against the spread: 69-62
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
