Bengals QB Joe Burrow says game against Titans will be an 'AFC North kind of game'
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is very familiar with the Tennessee Titans thanks to the three meetings between the two franchises over the last three years. Burrow and the Bengals are 3-0 in those matchups, two of which were played in Nashville, though none of the games were blowouts. Far from it, actually. The Bengals […]
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is very familiar with the Tennessee Titans thanks to the three meetings between the two franchises over the last three years.
Burrow and the Bengals are 3-0 in those matchups, two of which were played in Nashville, though none of the games were blowouts.
Far from it, actually.
The Bengals beat the Titans 31-20 in Cincinnati during Burrow's rookie season. The next two meetings were much closer, with the Bengals winning 19-16 in the 2021 playoffs and then winning 20-16 in Week 12 last season.
Because of those previous matchups, Burrow knows that this weekend's game against the Titans will be a grind-it-out type of game — the kind that is seen nearly every weekend in the notoriously tough AFC North.
"They play very well together," said Burrow on Wednesday when asked what stands out about the Titans. "Their scheme is very sound. They know their scheme. Their D-line is very disruptive. They have big strong guys that are great against the run."
"It's going to be a challenge for us," added Burrow. "It's going to an AFC North kind of game. It always is against these guys."
The Titans haven't been able to break through against the Bengals the last few years and last week's performance against the Cleveland Browns certainly doesn't seem to suggest that the trend against Cincy will change this weekend.
But the Titans are catching the Bengals at a good time. Cincinnati hasn't found its groove offensively yet. And Burrow is still dealing with a calf injury that has dramatically impacted the way he plays the game (he hasn't been able to do much while on the run, which is a big part of his game).
Burrow is still a great quarterback. And if he has time in the pocket, he can carve up a defense. But the Titans have a defensive line that can make Burrow's life hell on Sunday. If Tennessee can consistently get home against Burrow, they won't need to score that many points to get the win.
Cincinnati hasn't scored more than 24 points in a game this season. The Titans have barely cleared that mark — they scored 27 in their overtime win against the Los Angeles Chargers — but they might not need to on Sunday to get a win against the Bengals.
Joe Burrow appeared to use one of his favorite ‘tricks’ on one of the Bengals’ most important plays against the Rams
Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow appeared to use one of his favorite ‘tricks’ on one of the Bengals’ most important plays against the Rams
