How to watch, what to watch for Titans vs. Bengals in Week 8

The Tennessee Titans are 5-1 after losing to the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6 and will now take on a Cincinnati Bengals team that’s fresh off another heartbreaking loss to the Cleveland Browns. Tennessee remains one of the top teams in the NFL and has the edge against the one-win Cincinnati.

The Titans trailed by 17 points at the break against the Steelers before mounting an impressive comeback and losing by three. Ryan Tannehill wasn’t as efficient as usual but threw for 220 yard and two scores with no picks while Derrick Henry was limited to 75 rushing yards on 20 carries. The Bengals are below average against the run and pass, so Tennessee’s big three of Tannehill, Henry, and A.J. Brown could have very strong performances.

Joe Burrow had is coming off a career game in which he threw for 406 yards and three scores while also rushing for a score. The ground game was rendered useless thanks to the absence of Joe Mixon and the rookie appears to be capable of linking up with Tyler Boyd, A.J. Green, and Tee Higgins now. Burrow is up against another bottom 10 pass defense and could put up some inflated numbers in a game he’ll likely lose.

TV Info

Date: Sunday, Nov. 1
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Broadcast map

Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)

Titans: #12 Overall — #3 offense, #17 defense, #31 special teams
Bengals: #30 Overall — #28 offense, #26 defense, #11 special teams

DraftKings Sportsbook odds

Titans: -6, -250
Bengals: +6, +215
Total: 54

Fantasy football start/sit advice

Titans

Ryan Tannehill, QB, $6,800

Tannehill is just outside the top five in passing touchdowns with 15 and has only thrown two interceptions. He’s posted those numbers despite having the league’s leading rusher in his backfield. Tannehill’s receiving corps is at full strength so I expect him to light up the team that forked up five touchdown passes to Baker Mayfield in Week 6 with no OBJ.

A.J. Brown, WR, $6,900

Brown has caught 18 passes for 293 yards and four scores since returning from injury in Week 5 and has looked like one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL. His target count isn’t that high but he torched the Steelers’ respectable secondary for 153 yards. Cincinnati is a major step down from Pittsburgh when it comes to defensive back play.

Bengals

Joe Burrow, QB, $6,200

Burrow’s priced has increased significantly since his last outing for good reason but not enough to make him unplayable. Tennessee is worse against the pass than Cincinnati this season and Burrow has eclipsed 300 passing yards five times in seven starts.

A.J. Green, WR $4,500

DraftKings hasn’t adjusted for Green’s resurgence and has only increased his price by $200 after he caught seven passes for 82 yard against the Browns. He’s tallied 24 targets in his last two games and few pass catchers can match that level of exposure at this price point.