Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals: Studs, Duds & Reaction

Reaction

Aug 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Tennessee Titans offensive guard Chance Warmack (70) watches from the sidelines during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

An inept defense and an offense that leaves dozens of points on the field? Maybe that’s good enough to overcome a bad football team. It won’t result in many competitive football games against legitimate playoff contenders such as the Bengals.

I can’t remember if it was News 2 announcer Eddie George or Keith Bulluck who commented about the defense lacking an identity (I think Bulluck). Whoever it was…was 100 percent correct. No identity and very little passion. One can only hope they’re hiding some things—more like everything—for the regular season.

Akeem Ayers and Kendall Wright both left this game with injuries. This offense could probably survive without Wright. Judging from the lack of depth on the second- and third-team defense, they can’t afford a long-term Ayers injury. For Wright, earliest indications are a knee sprain. Ayers probably has a bruise.

At least the offense had an encouraging performance. Locker needs help from his receivers. Start catching the football and don’t stop on routes. This defense isn’t good enough to where the offense can leave points on the field.

The Titans will play their third preseason game when they host the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 24. The Falcons have one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses with a star-studded skill-position lineup that includes Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. How will the defense respond?

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