NFL Prediction: Solid Cincinnati Bengals Squad meet Tennessee Titans
Sunday, November 06, 2011
by Aengus Moorehead
Analysis:
Anyone who looked at the four-win Cincinnati Bengals of last season, imagined them without former All-Pros Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco and assumed what remained would match the team's 2010 win total in October alone -- go ahead and revel.
Infused with the rookie pairing of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green to replace the since-departed quarterback/wide receiver combination, the new-look Bengals have led when able, rallied when needed and otherwise held the line in workmanlike fashion while winning five of seven games in the opening two months of this 2011 season.
The surprising run has head coach Marvin Lewis' team right in the thick of things in the well-stocked AFC North, where the Bengals stand dead even with Baltimore and a half-game behind first-place Pittsburgh on the eve of their season's midpoint.
Cincinnati gets to game No. 8 this week in Nashville, where it faces the Tennessee Titans Sunday at LP Field.
The Bengals seek a fifth consecutive win, which would be their longest streak since a six-game run in 1998. The last three times Cincinnati started 5-2, in 1990, 2005 and 2009, it made the playoffs on each occasion.
Unlike recent squads dominated by headline-makers Palmer and Ochocinco, the 2011 version has remained under the radar and won with defense, as Cincinnati ranks fourth in the league in both points and total yards allowed per game.
Only one foe (Denver back in Week 2) has exceeded 20 points on the Bengals, while two others (San Francisco and Seattle) have been held to 13 or less.
On offense, burly running back Cedric Benson returns this week from a one-game suspension and is averaging a respectable 76.3 rushing yards per game this season.
For the Titans, a shred of what Benson's produced so far would be welcome.
Tennessee has ground to a 32nd-place halt in rushing offense, averaging a league-worst 68.9 yards per game, since the offseason conflict and ultimate payday for All-Pro back Chris Johnson, who managed just 34 yards on 14 attempts last week in a 27-10 win over Indianapolis.
Third-year man Javon Ringer has pushed Johnson recently, going for career-highs in both rushing yards (60) and receiving yards (42) against the Colts.
The Bengals are 3-1 on road this season, while Tennessee has won four of its past five games at LP Field dating back to December of last year.
Time & Venue:
- 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, November 6, 2011. LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee
Last Week's results:
- Cincinnati Bengals (-3) beats host Seattle Seahawks 34-12.
- Tennessee Titans (-9) beats visiting Indianapolis Colts 27-10.
Last week's ATS:
- Favourite Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) wins and covers
- Favourite Tennessee Titans (4-3) wins and covers.
NFL Football Odds: Titans -3, O/U 41.5.
Next up:
- Cincinnati home to Pittsburgh, Sunday, November 13
- Tennessee at Carolina, Sunday, November 13
Cincinnati made team history in last Sunday's 34-12 win over Seattle with two punt returns of over 50 yards. One was a 54-yard return for a touchdown by Brandon Tate, the Bengals' first since Peter Warrick in 2003. Tate was named the AFC's special teams player of the week. The last team to have two punt returns of more than 50 yards in a game was New Orleans in 2008, when Reggie Bush recorded punt-return TDs of 71 and 64 yards against Minnesota. To make room on the roster for Benson, Cincinnati waived cornerback Morgan Trent. The third-year player was inactive against Seattle with a knee injury.
Johnson has gained only 302 yards this season. The 26-year-old averaged at least 81.9 yards per contest in each of his first three years in the league. He will be hard-pressed to improve his numbers against the Bengals, who are allowing an average of 85.4 yards on the ground. Safety Anthony Smith was fined $7,500 for a late hit on Indianapolis quarterback Curtis Painter in last Sunday's 27-10 victory over the Colts. Smith received an unnecessary roughness penalty for hitting a sliding Painter late in the contest.
The Bengals have amassed 358 yards on punt returns thus far this season, which is 100 yards more than their entire 2010 total.
Cincinnati's Andy Dalton is the first rookie quarterback in club history to win four consecutive starts.
Tennessee's Johnson is 100 rushing yards away from 5,000 for his career.
Tennessee is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Tennessee is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games
Tennessee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Cincinnati is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games on the road
Cincinnati is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing Tennessee
Cincinnati is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The Bengals have a few advantages on paper, not the least of which is a four- game win streak and a strong road record. But truth be told, neither team has done much against a big-time opponent. In that case, Tennessee's win over Baltimore in Week 2 and its home-field standing this week could break the tie.
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NFL Football Pick: Take Titans.
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Tags
a.j. green - andy dalton - anthony smith - brandon tate - carson palmer - cedric benson - chad ochocinco - chris johnson - cincinnati bengals - curtis painter
