The Cincinnati Bengals needed overtime to beat the seemingly hapless Tennessee Titans, just a week after blowing out the Baltimore Ravens.
This is how experts react.
Bengals in NFL Power Rankings Week 9
“It’s not going to fly against better teams, and the Bengals know it.” — Nick Shook
“Tennessee’s offense is one of the worst in the NFL and it gained 440 yards and scored 36 points on the Bengals. Given Cincinnati’s defensive issues in recent seasons, this is troubling even with a win. — Frank Schwab
“The 5-2 start was their best since 2021, one that led them to Super Bowl 56. But Sunday’s 43-36 overtime loss to the Titans certainly brought back unsettling memories of the post-2021 Bengals..” — Nate Davis
“Joe Burrow is emerging as a serious MVP candidate.” — Mike Florio
“We need to start appreciating the games where Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase go for about 300 combined yards, three touchdowns and 30 targets. This troika (including Joe Burrow) may never be at full strength again, but once every few months we get the absolute juggernaut game we deserve..” — Conor Orr
“Joe Burrow was on pace for 49 TD passes and 5,136 yards and raised his league-best completion percentage to 73.0. It’s been a roller-coaster ride with his turnovers at times but as long as he’s healthy, the Bengals are a real threat to win Super Bowl 61.” — Vinnie Iyer
(Ben Baby’s blurb is about in-season trades and not the Bengals’ recent performance.)
“Joe Burrow and passing game bail out defense in overtime victory over Titans.” — Pete Prisco
“How do you offset throwing three interceptions to the same defender (Amani Hooker)?” — Ryan Dunleavy
While the last two games have been an absolute rollercoaster, there’s no denying that the Bengals look poised to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2022 season. So fans shouldn’t complain, Betsy McNally said.
We recap the Titans game and preview the upcoming matchup in Madrid against the Atlanta Falcons.