Bengals 37-27 Titans (December 15, 2024) Game Recap

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Joe Burrow threw for 271 yards with three touchdowns, tying the franchise record with 36 this season, and the Cincinnati Bengals boosted their faint playoff hopes by beating the Tennessee Titans in a sloppy game on Sunday defeated 37:27.

The Bengals (6-8) earned the 400th regular season win in franchise history. They still need to win to extend their winning streak to four straight seasons, no matter where they finish in the AFC playoffs.

They came into the game without starting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and lost Sam Hubbard to a knee injury after he caught a 2-yard touchdown pass.

That didn’t matter, as the Bengals turned six turnovers into 24 straight points, capped by Geno Smith’s 39-yard pick-6 in the third period. The Bengals missed more points with a 61-yard fumble return for a TD, except Jordan Battle recovered a fumble in the third quarter just before crossing the goal line for a touchback.

The Titans (3-11) benched Will Levis after his NFL-high fourth pick-6 of the season and fourth turnover of the game. Mason Rudolph seemed poised to lead a rally until he was picked off by Josh Newton.

Tennessee suffered its third straight loss in coach Brian Callahan’s debut season and first game against his old boss, Bengals coach Zac Taylor, falling to 1-6 at home.

Cincinnati played without left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and Cody Ford was sidelined late with an illness. The Bengals started Devin Cochran, a rookie with one offensive snap in five appearances before Sunday. Despite giving him help, he gave up the pressure, which led to the first of Burrows’ two interceptions.

The Bengals also had four turnovers. The teams combined for the NFL’s first 10-turnover game since Week 2 in 2007, when the Lions and Vikings each scored five in Detroit’s overtime win.

Tennessee led 14-7 at the end of the first after opening with consecutive TD drives for the first time since Week 4 of the 2022 season. Tony Pollard ran for a 3-yard TD. On the next drive, Tyjae Spears went wide after his first potential touchdown was ruled failed.

Burrow opened the game with a 6-yard TD pass to Chase Brown and this TD pass to Hubbard. The Bengals took the lead for good after Cam Taylor beat Britt Levis and Burrow hit Tee Higgins with a 38-yard TD pass for a 21-14 lead.

That gave Burrow 36 touchdowns this season, a new single-season record for Cincinnati.

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Chase, who led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards this season, finished the game with nine catches for 94 yards.

He became the fifth player in NFL history with at least 100 receptions, 1,400 receiving yards and 15 TD catches in a season. He joined Pro Football Hall of Famers Marvin Harrison (2001), Randy Moss (2003) and Jerry Rice (1995), as well as Cooper Kupp (2021).

Injuries

Hubbard was sidelined late in the first half with a right knee injury after that TD catch.

Pollard, who entered this game questionable with an ankle injury, had an ankle injury. He returned in the second quarter. LB Kenneth Murray Jr. had a hamstring aggravation and was questionable. T’Vondre Sweat injured his shoulder but returned. Luke Gifford left in the second quarter with a concussion.

Next

The Bengals return home to host Cleveland while the Titans begin a two-game road swing in Indianapolis.

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