The Cincinnati Bengals went into Tennessee in Week 12 and won, 20-16.
Buy Bengals TicketsThat’s a simple way of explaining a game that was rather complicated for the Bengals. This was a defensive-minded affair defined by a few big plays as quarterback Joe Burrow and the offense didn’t come alive until late.
Here’s a look at the in-game notes and key points to know right after the game went final.
Quick Hits
— First offensive drive for the Bengals was fantastic and looked like it would lead to points until a penalty on Chris Evans derailed things. It takes near-perfect football to beat a team like the Titans, so it was one that could really end up hurting in hindsight.
— Two very quick penalties on the special teams unit too, which was sure to have coordinator Darrin Simmons pulling at his hair. Bengals have won many close games over the last two years in part because of their lack of those types of mistakes.
— DJ Reader was a force in the first quarter, collapsing pockets and blowing up the run — as expected.
— Defense let up a huge scoring play on a screen to Derrick Henry but it came with a big but. But, Cam Taylor-Britt, a rookie, chased it down and chopped the ball out, causing a fumble. The Titans fell on it and scored, but it’s clear the second-rounder is as-advertised.
— Samaje Perine was making the explosive plays in the first half for the offense, be it as a receiver or running for a touchdown. The offense misses Joe Mixon, but he’s been a highlight.
— Samaje Perine and Cam Taylor-Britt had the top highlights of the first half.
— If/when the Bengals lose, it’s over mico issues like penalties. In the third quarter, the Bengals offense got flagged, then Tyler Boyd slipped on his route to cause an incompletion.
— Two plays changed this one late. One, the ridiculous sideline grab on third down by Trenton Irwin. Two, and shortly after that one, was Higgins’ big touchdown catch. They needed big plays to win this and got both on the same drive.
— Titans chunked their way downfield late in the fourth, but defensive MVPs DJ Reader and Mike Hilton were all over pretty much any play the offense tried to run through Derrick Henry.
Key Stat
9 for 80: Number of penalties and yardage lost for the Bengals, respectively. This was an uncharacteristically sloppy game for the team and the game otherwise wouldn’t have been close. It’s not a major ordeal as it didn’t cost them, but they’ll be working on it all week.
Game Balls
RB Samaje Perine: Look at Perine go. After a strong week last week and with Joe Mixon out, Perine was a big-play machine on his way to 58 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, plus four catches for 35 yards.
DT DJ Reader: It won’t show a ton on the stat sheet, but Reader was a force in the middle again. This time, against Derrick Henry with a few nice collapses of passing pockets, too.
Top Takeaway
Deja vu: Regardless of result, this felt a lot like last year, almost to the date. Strong defensive performance that carries the offense while Joe Burrow has a quiet day for most of the game. The Bengals need the offense to come alive though, starting next week against the Chiefs. Getting key members back healthy should help.
