Cincinnati is next on the schedule for the Titans and it is the first time that these two franchises have met since 2014. The Bengals prevailed that day 33-7 at Paul Brown Stadium, but the setting for this Sunday’s action is Nissan Stadium. This is Marcus Mariota’s first opportunity to square off with the Titans old AFC Central rival, and Mariota will certainly be looking to build on a productive outing against Baltimore.
The Bengals sit at (3-5), so they are desperate for a win this weekend in Music City. The Titans are two games better then Cincy and currently hold the lead in the AFC South. Success in the division is essential for making the playoffs, but having success within the AFC is also important for the Titans as they look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
The Bengals trip to Music City means that former Titans first-round pick Adam “Pacman” Jones will be back in Nashville. This is only the second time that Jones, the 6th overall pick in 2005 has returned to Nashville to play against the Titans in his career. The other time that Jones played against the Titans in Tennessee was a 24-17 Bengals win at LP Field in 2011. Pacman’s exploits on the field and particularly off the field in Nashville and beyond are certainly legendary. Jones was suspended by the league for all of the 2007 and part of the 2008 season, but he has settled in as a starting corner for Marvin Lewis and Cincinnati since he arrived in 2010.
Another Bengal that the Titans will have to be aware of is Wide Receiver A.J. Green. The former Georgia Bulldog has been one of the best in the league since he was drafted in 2011. Green has made the Pro Bowl six times, but he was lucky to avoid a suspension after an in-game fight with Jaguars Corner Jalen Ramsey last week. Green tackled Ramsey and punches were exchanged resulting in both players being ejected. A.J. Green was able to avoid suspension, but he did receive a steep $42,000 fine from the league for his actions. Andy Dalton will need Green to be at his best to help him have success against a Titans secondary that is peaking at the right time.
Speaking of peak performance, Titans Safety Kevin Byard is playing at an extremely high level. Byard has five interceptions in his last two games and he has forced seven turnovers on the season. Byard along with Adoree Jackson and Logan Ryan have played well in the back end for the Titans and the addition of a healthy Jonathan Cyprien can only make that group better.
The Titans were much better in the red zone last weekend against Baltimore which allowed them to notch a 23-20 win to get their third straight victory. Success in the red zone and limiting turnovers will be the keys for Tennessee to win their fourth straight game and get to (6-3) before the Thursday night game in Baltimore. Tune to Titans Radio and 104.5 the Zone all week for coverage of the Titans. On Sunday, the Lee Company Countdown to Kickoff gets the coverage started, before the award-winning Titans Countdown presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans begins at 11 a.m. After Titans Countdown, Voice of the Titans Mike Keith and Coach Dave McGinnis will have all the action between the Bengals and the Titans from Nissan Stadium.
