Bengals' blowout loss to Titans gets even worse
Just about everything went wrong for the Cincinnati Bengals in their 27-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans. They're now 1-3 on the season, have no answers how to sustain drives on offense, and things are not going to get any easier there. Star wide receiver Tee Higgins suffered an injury to his ribs and was […]
Just about everything went wrong for the Cincinnati Bengals in their 27-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans. They're now 1-3 on the season, have no answers how to sustain drives on offense, and things are not going to get any easier there.
Star wide receiver Tee Higgins suffered an injury to his ribs and was ruled out early in the third quarter. Higgins was taken to the locker room right before halftime and would not return.
With or without Higgins, the Bengals converted just two third downs all afternoon and averaged -0.18 Expected Points Added per play. Their offensive woes set their defense up for failure, and the Titans took advantage.
The Bengals' defense also took a big blow in giving up 27 points, and an injury of their own. Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt injured his right shoulder on the game's first touchdown and missed the following drive.
Taylor-Britt would return after a drive but then suffered a concussion during the opening drive of the third quarter. Taylor-Britt would not return for the remainder of the game.
Each team had nine drives on the day. The Bengals averaged 4.1 yards per snap, while the Titans averaged 6.5 yards. In the second quarter alone, the Titans put up three touchdowns while the Bengals' offense couldn't get out of their own way.
Higgins and Taylor-Britt are each crucial to their respective units, and they didn't play up to their standards even before their injuries. Higgins had two receptions for 19 yards on four targets while Taylor-Britt gave up a 38-yard pass play to Deandre Hopkins that eventually set up a Titans' touchdown.
Taylor-Britt will have to get through the concussion protocol this week. Higgins could be out for a few days or a few weeks. Whatever the case may be, things are not looking great in Cincinnati.
Bengals’ first-half ineptitude reaches a historic low
Cincinnati’s offense is now in bad company.
