The Cincinnati Bengals and the Tennessee Titans meet Sunday in NFL action from Nissan Stadium. Cincinnati is coming off a Monday night matchup versus the Rams. In that one the Bengals powered out a three-point victory. As for Tennessee, they took a blowout loss to the Browns on Sunday to fall to 1-2 on the season so far. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.

Cincinnati Bengals 

The Bengals kicked off the year with a couple of rivalry matchups, and things didn’t go very well at all. Cincinnati started with a game versus the Browns in the opener, eventually falling 24-3. In Week 2 versus the Ravens, the Bengals gave up points in every quarter along the way to a competitive but ultimately fruitless loss 27-24. 

Matched up against the Rams on Monday, the Bengals posted 10 points in the third quarter and eventually took the win 19-16. QB Joe Burrow finished with just 109 yards on 15 completions and Joe Mixon led the rush with 23 yards from seven carries. Ja’Marr Chase was tops in receiving with 47 yards from five catches. 

Cincinnati Bengals Team Facts

The Bengals have lost eight of their last nine October road games against AFC opponents.
The Bengals have covered the spread in each of their last six road games against AFC South opponents.
The underdogs have won the first quarter in four the Bengals’ last five Week 4 games.
The Bengals have lost the first half in each of their last six road games against teams that held a losing record.
The Bengals have scored the first touchdown in four of their last five games as favorites.

Tennessee Titans 

Over on the Titans’ side, they’ve had an up-and-down year so far—with more down than up. Tennessee took on the Saints in their opener and fell 16-15 after nursing a 9-6 lead at the break. In their second outing of the season versus the Chargers, the Titans earned a hard-fought win with a field goal in overtime and a 27-24 result. 

Tennessee really hit the wall in the Browns game back on Sunday. The Titans were down 13-3 going into the second half and gave up points in every quarter during a limp loss 27-3. QB Ryan Tannehill finished with 104 yards, and Derrick Henry added 20 rush yards. DeAndre Hopkins led the receivers on 48 yards off three catches. 

Tennessee Titans Team Facts

The Titans have won each of their last eight games in October.
The Titans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine home games against AFC North opponents.
The Titans have lost the first half in each of their last five games at Nissan Stadium following a loss.
The Titans have scored the first touchdown in seven of their last eight games as home underdogs against AFC opponents.
The underdogs have won the first quarter in four the Titans’ last five Week 4 games.

Matchup/League Facts

The Titans ranked 1st in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (76.9) last season
The Titans ranked 32nd in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (274.8) last season
The Bengals ranked 1st in the AFC North for points scored per game last season (26.1)
The Bengals ranked 1st in the AFC North for average point differential last season (+6.0)

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stick with the Bengals here. Probably also staying away from it. Cincinnati was able to power out a gritty win in a defensive battle on Monday for their first victory of the year. The Bengals held LA to just 292 total yards (221 passing), 15 first downs and 1-of-11 on third-down conversions. That said, the Cincinnati offense wasn’t exactly sparkling with 309 total yards (242 passing), 4.2 yards per play and 5-of-17 on third downs. A win is a win, though. 

As for the Titans, this is what their offense looked like against the Browns: 94 total yards (68 passing), 2.1 yards per play, six first downs and a rough 2-of-12 rate on third-down conversions. Not much went right in the loss. I have to think that Tennessee will figure things out (relatively speaking) sometime soon, but I don’t think they’ll cover in this one.