Finding Hope and Concern for Titans in Week 8 vs Bengals

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NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 25: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass while under pressure from Harold Landry III #58 of the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Steelers defeated the Titans 27-24. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Hope

Third Down Woes vs Third Down Woes

The Titans defense has been bad, historically bad, on third down this year, ‘61% conversion on all third-down attempts’ level disastrous. Your buddy’s flag football team could line up against the Titans on third and four and have about a 50/50 shot at converting. But here’s the good news! The Bengals offense sucks on third down too.

Now, Cincinnati’s third-down offense hasn’t been anywhere near as bad as Tennessee’s third-down defense– but they have been bad, currently ranking 24th in the NFL on successful third-down attempts at 38%, worse than all but two teams that the Titans have faced in 2020.

The Bengals third-down struggles have been due in some part to their offensive line, and the issue they’ve had throughout the year in keeping Joe Burrow upright. Tennessee themselves haven’t been spectacular at getting to the quarterback, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a talented front seven capable of taking advantage of a weaker Cincinnati line– now plagued by injuries heading into Sunday.

This could be the game that Jadaveon Clowney and Harold Landry could need. Against one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, the Titans top-two pass rushers could break out and single-handily help the Titans defense keep the Bengals offense contained on third down.

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