NFL Playoff Preview 2021-22 Divisional Round: #1 Titans Vs. #4 Bengals

NFL Playoff Preview 2021-22 Divisional Round: #1 Titans Vs. #4 Bengals

After the Cincinnati Bengals survived the Las Vegas Raiders in the Wild Card round for their first playoff win since 1990, they now play the #1 seed Tennessee Titans. The Titans have certainly earned their 1st round bye after arguably their best player, Derrick Henry, was injured for the last 9 games of the season. The Titans were 6-2 in those first 8 games with Derrick Henry. The Titans managed to still go 6-3 without him. The Bengals have surprised many teams after some dismissed them in the tough AFC North. The Bengals ended up winning the AFC North with budding superstars Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. This could end up being a great playoff game after a couple of duds of playoff games in the Wild Card round. Let’s see what each team’s keys to winning this divisional game in this NFL Playoff Preview.

How The Titans Can Win

#1 RUN. THE. BALL.

The Titans haven’t announced if Derrick Henry is playing or not. I think he has a real solid shot of playing this week, but it’s not confirmed. However, that doesn’t really matter. The Titans need to run the ball often and effectively. Even if it is D’Onta Foreman. Foreman has averaged 4.3 yards per rushing attempt and 63 yards per game. While he’s only really averaging about 15 attempts per game, the Titans need to up that total this week. The Bengals rush defense is not very good. The Raiders ran only 13 times last week with Josh Jacobs for 83 yards. The Raiders failed to use the Bengals bad run defense to their advantage. The Titans should not make that mistake, they need to run the ball with whoever they have at RB.

#2 Pressure Joe Burrow

The Raiders did an okay job at doing this last week. However, it showed when they didn’t. Joe Burrow made them pay with Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, and Tee Higgins. Luckily, the Titans have a better pass rush than the Raiders and are a top 10 team in the NFL with sacks at 37. The Bengals have given up the most sacks in the NFL with 51. Don’t let Joe Burrow get comfortable, don’t give him time, don’t let him throw. The Titans have to sack him early and often.

#3 Don’t Overthink This

The Titans are the better team, they have the should-be coach of the year in Mike Vrabel. The Titans have a better defense, RB (if Derrick Henry plays), and a better OLine. The Titans can win this game with defense and running the ball. The Bengals are going to try to throw, the better the Titans limit those opportunities, their chances of winning go up drastically. The Titans don’t have to be fancy about it. Even if they have AJ Brown and Julio Jones in their WR room, Ryan Tannehill shouldn’t have to throw more than he needs to. Joe Burrow is better than him and this doesn’t need to be a pissing contest between the QBs. The Titans are a better team that can win with defense and running the ball.

How The Bengals Can Win

#1 Force Ryan Tannehill To Throw

For one, you’re praying that Derrick Henry is not playing this week. If he’s not, the Bengals have much better odds to win this game. For two, Joe Burrow is better than Ryan Tannehill. Ryan Tannehill has 14 interceptions, 6th in the NFL. But, he’s 12th in attempts and 16th in TDs. Meaning, he will give up the ball if you let him. If Derrick Henry isn’t playing, stopping Foreman and forcing Tannehill to throw became that much easier.

#2 Protect Joe Burrow

The Bengals did a decent job of doing this against the Raiders. They got Joe Mixon involved and kept Joe Burrow standing to squeak out a win. They need to do the same thing. The Bengals WR room can be lethal. But, like all teams, QBs need time to throw to their guys. Ja’Marr Chase is filthy, and if Joe Burrow has time, the Bengals can throw all day on any team. Getting Joe Mixon involved can help with that, but as long as the Bengals can give Joe Burrow time, they can be in any game. The problem is the Titans have a better pass rush than the Raiders did, the Bengals have a tougher challenge in protecting Joe Burrow.

#3 Focus On Julio Jones and AJ Brown

I’m more worried about the Bengals’ defense than I am about their offense. I think the Bengals will find ways to put points on the board, but they need to find ways to keep points OFF the board on defense. As mentioned, if Derrick Henry isn’t playing, the point of emphasis changes. The Bengals then need to focus on AJ Brown and Julio Jones. Even if that means doubling them up with a corner and a safety for the deep routes. The Bengals did a decent job of this containing Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow. They have to do the same with Julio Jones and AJ Brown. If Henry is playing, well, they’ll have to choose a problem they want to deal with. They can either try to stop Henry or AJ Brown and Julio, but I don’t think there’s a way this Bengals team can do both.

The Bengals have already exceeded expectations this year. They won the AFC North, won a playoff game, and should be competitive in this game. That’s way more than a lot of people gave them credit for, including me. The Bengals have no pressure to lose this game. They’re ahead of schedule to build on a dynasty. If they can pull off an upset against the Titans, uh oh. If they don’t pull it off, oh well. Bengals just need to go out and play their best game. If the Titans are better and win, that’s not their fault. I think the Titans are a more complete team, especially if Derrick Henry plays. I think the Titans win this game in this NFL Playoff Preview.

Prediction: 30-24 Tennessee Titans.

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