Cincinnati Bengals vs Tennessee Titans Divisional Round Pick
Our Cincinnati vs Tennessee prediction is for this first AFC Division game of the 2022 playoffs. It will kick off at 4:30 pm ET on Saturday, January 22, 2022. In this NFL contest, the Titans are favored by -3.5 (-112). The underdog Bengals are listed at +3.5 (-102). The total is 47.5 with both the over and under at -110.
The Cincinnati Bengals (10-7 Overall, 5-3 Away) finished first in the AFC North. In their final five games, the Bengals were 3-2. In the Wildcard Round, Cincy beat Las Vegas 26-19. The Tennessee Titans (12-5 Overall, 7-2 Home) won their final three games, finishing at the top of the AFC South. They also posted the best record in the AFC, which earned them a bye.
This AFC Divisional contest will be played at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. The weather will be mostly sunny with winds from WSW at 5 mph and gusts at 12 mph. Temperatures will be in the low 30s. The game will be on CBS.
Cincinnati vs Tennessee Prediction – Keys
In the regular season, the Bengals averaged 27.1 PPG while the Titans were good for 24.6. Cincy is recording 19 more total offensive yards per game (361.5-342.5). The Bengals dominate in passing yards (259.0-201.1). However, the Titans top Cincinnati in rushing yards (141.4-102.5). Although the Bengals are a bit better in pass completion percentages (69.2-67.1), the Cincy QBs have been sacked 55 times. The Titans have given up 47. Picks stand at 14 each. Cincy has 36 passing TDs, while Tennessee comes to the game with 22. However, the Titans have recorded 23 rushing TDs. On the other hand, the Bengals have posted 16. Thus, it’s Cincy’s passing game versus Tennessee’s ground attack.
Defense
The Titans are allowing opponents 20.8 PPG, while the Bengals are giving up 22.1. The Tennessee D is holding teams to 84.6 rushing and 245.2 passing YPG. The Bengal defense is giving up 102.5 ground and 248.5 air YPG. The Titans are a tad better in sacks (43-42) and picks (16-13) and are giving up fewer passing TDs (24-26) and rushing scores (14-15).
Bengals - Players
QB Joe Burrow has had a premium season. He’s a major force and could the difference maker in this game. Four players have 29 TD receptions. Wideout Ja’Marr Chase leads the team with 13 touchdown catches, 1,455 yards, and 81 receptions. Watch out for tight end C.J. Uzomah. He comes to this contest with 49 catches and five scores. Running back Joe Mixon is a versatile threat who can score on the run, on the screen, and in the slot. He’s rushed for over 1,200 yards and caught passes for over 300 yards with 13 ground and three air TDs.
The Bengal frontline is fearsome and includes Trey Hendrickson (14 SCKs, 12 TFL), Sam Hubbard (7.5 SCKs, 12 TFL), and B.J. Hill (5.5 SCKs, 6 TFL). LB Logan Wilson (100 TKLs, 1 SCK, 5 TFL 4 PD, 4 INTs) is the cornerstone of this defense. Corner Chidobe Awuzie comes to the game with 14 PD and two interceptions.
Titans - Players
Veteran QB Ryan Tannehill has had a solid season, and in the last three games has tossed seven TD passes and no picks. Wideouts A.J. Brown and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are the Titans’ top two pass catchers with 63 and 38 catches and five and four TDs respectively. However. also look for Tannehill to target WR Julio Jones, a premium talent, and tight ends Anthony Firkser and Geoff Swaim, important safety valves.
Running backs Derrick Henry, D'Onta Foreman, and Dontrell Hilliard have combined for over 1,800 yards and a total of 15 scores. All three are dual threats, while despite playing in just eight games, Henry comes to this game with 937 yards and 10 TDs. This is Henry’s first game back since being injured halfway through the season. Tannehill has seven rushing scores. On defense, safety Kevin Byard (88 TKLs, 13 PD, 5 INTs, 2 FF, 1 FR) is a major player. He’s scored two TDs. Other premium defenders include LB Harold Landry III (12 SCKs, 14 TFL), tackle Jeffery Simmons (8.5 SCKs, 12 TFL, 6 PD), and end Denico Autry (9 SCKs, 10 TFL, 6 PD).
Cincinnati vs Tennessee Prediction - Spread & Totals
In our AFC Cincinnati vs Tennessee prediction, we see the Titans as having the advantage for a few reasons. They come to this game rested and having found a way to win 12 regular-season games when depleted. Plus, in just a few short seasons, coach Mike Vrabel has proven to be one of the best strategists in the NFL. There’s no doubt that Burrow is a top-notch talent and Mixon a constant threat. However, the Titan D is capable of limiting their output. At the same time, Tannehill and company will face a very tough pass rush and ground unit. If the Titans can control the pace of this game, they will win and cover. We’re counting on that. Take Tennessee at -3.5 (-112) and with a projected score of 30-24, the over at 47.5 (-110).
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Summary – Cincinnati Bengals vs Tennessee Titans Divisional Pick:
Point Spread Pick – Tennessee Titans at -3.5 (-112)
Totals Pick - Over 47.5 (-110)
