Jessie Bates showed once again he's one of the most underrated safeties in the NFL. Aside from allowing Brown to go off (5/142/1), the secondary was lock-down. Creative blitzes provided pressure on the QB and forced errant throws. Cincy came out flying from the get-go, forcing Tannehill into tough spots. Outside of one gorgeous TD pass to Brown, the QB didn't come through. With Derrick Henry not looking like himself coming off injury (20 carries for 62 yards and a TD), including getting stuffed on fourth-and-short when he stuttered -, the Titans needed Tannehill to step up. Brown deep early, missed a crosser later, and never seemed in sync. It was a lousy day for Tannehill, who missed too many passes. The final tipped pass set up Cincy for the game-winning drive late when the Titans had the ball near mid-field with a chance to set up their own game-ender. The second INT cost Tennessee points in the red zone. He'd throw two more on the day, all proving costly. 1 seed, with Tannehill tossing an interception on the first play from scrimmage.

The contest got off to an ominous start for the No. The Titans offense couldn't get off the ground in the first half, netting just eight first downs on six drives. What a waste of a sterling defensive performance in Tennessee. Ryan Tannehill, Titans offense stuck in mud.This season, the Bengals divebombed opponents into submission, but as Saturday became a grind-it-out game, Burrow and Co. As a result, Cincy generated a whopping 242 yards after catch. The Bengals feasted off of yards after catch as Burrow was forced to throw short all day - just three pass attempts of 15-plus air yards and none of 20-plus. Generating 348 passing yards seems unimaginable, given that he was pressured on 32.6 percent of his dropbacks. Burrow's rifle to Ja'Marr Chase to set up the game-winning field goal showed the QB's mettle. Despite the Titans dominating an overmatched Bengals offensive line, Burrow came through in the clutch. Jeffery Simmons was unblockable, gobbling up Burrow three times. Tennessee pounded Burrow all game, racking up nine sacks, tied for most in the postseason in NFL history. Joe Burrow overcomes Titans sack-fest.In a defensive battle, McPherson's conversions were the difference in Cincy knocking off the AFC's No. None of McPherson's boots were even in doubt off his foot, including his game-winner. McPherson became the first player in NFL history to make four-plus FGs in multiple games in a single postseason. The rookie made a bad third-down sack by Joe Burrow late in the first half moot by banging a 54-yarder. Zac Taylor's willingness to give up two yards on the play before McPherson's game-winner underscored the team's confidence in the young kicker. Money Mac was brilliant all day, going 4 of 4 on field goals in a tight-fought game, including two from 50-plus yards. As time expired, the rookie kicker booted the game-winning 52-yard field goal to send the Bengals to the AFC Championship Game. Evan McPherson's veins run with ice water.READ: Trotter: Chase, Burrow among winners from Saturday's games.READ: Tannehill laments 'brutal' day in loss to Bengals.READ: Bengals marvel at Evan McPherson's clutch kicking.His calf injury limited how many reps he was able to take during training camp, knocking his rhythm off schedule and hindering his mobility.ĭespite Burrow's decreased willingness to go deep, star receiver Ja'Marr Chase set a new career high in catches and had his fourth-best game by yards against the Rams. Burrow is just 6-for-22 with 86 yards and no touchdowns when targeting receivers 10 yards or more downfield. Only two teams have allowed more air yards on completions than the Titans, meaning the defense isn't allowing receivers to run for a long time after the catch so much as its allowing receivers to get open deep in the secondary.īengals quarterback Joe Burrow is usually renowned for his ability to attack defenses deep, but that hasn't been the case this year. But the secondary ranks bottom five in yards allowed, completion percentage against, yards allowed per attempt and passer rating against. Heading into Week 3, the Titans are allowing the fewest yards per carry in the NFL and the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game.

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