The Tennessee Titans fought valiantly on Sunday. In a Week 8 game everyone expected them to be embarrassed in, they lost 43-36 to the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime. Cam Ward and the Titans offense went blow-for-blow with Joe Burrow and the Bengals' high-octane scoring unit.
The defense forced four turnovers. They also allowed Burrow to score six touchdowns as the Bengals offense accumulated 500+ yards. On offense, it was the Titans' best scoring output since 2021.
We've identified six winners and four losers from the Titans' nailbiting Week 8 overtime loss.
6 winners (and 4 losers) from Titans' Week 8 overtime defeat
Winner: RB Tony Pollard
Tony Pollard followed up his three-TD performance last weekend with another stellar showing. Pollard rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns while notably averaging a season-high 5.6 yards per carry. The Titans have figured something out with the rushing attack.
Winner: S Amani Hooker
Safety Amani Hooker is now the longest-tenured Titans player following the Jeffery Simmons trade. And he reminded fans of his importance on Sunday. Hooker registered three interceptions from three different defensive alignments. The former Iowa standout has now matched his previous career-high five interceptions in just eight outings. His value to Tennessee's defense has never been greater.
Winner: QB Cam Ward
Titans quarterback Cam Ward had some serious pressure on him this week following the Simmons trade and Mike Borgonzi press conference. He answered the call by turning in his first-ever 300 yard passing performance. It was arguably the best game of Ward's career, as he completed 26-of-40 passing attempts for 304 yards and two touchdowns. A lost fumble and ill-timed sack prevented it from being a perfect performance, but he looked like a franchise No. 1 overall quarterback.
Loser: WR Wan'Dale Robinson
It was an uneven performance for Wan'Dale Robinson, who dropped a first-half pass that stalled a drive. He later fumbled a WR screen that was controversially upheld upon replay. Robinson ended up scoring a crucial touchdown on a perfectly-placed Ward pass to the back shoulder, but he desperately needs to start cutting out the mistakes.
Winner: TE Gunnar Helm
Fans have been asking why sophomore tight end Gunnar Helm hasn't been more involved in the passing attack. It finally happened on Sunday and supporters are right to ask what took so long. Helm posted a game-high (and career-high) 76 receiving yards via five receptions, and a two-point conversion. The former Texas standout should remain consistently involved.
Loser: CB Joshua Williams
The Titans had been showing faith in Joshua Williams as a starting boundary cornerback. The challenge versus Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins was insurmountable for him. Williams was credited with allowing nine receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns on 10 targets, per Next Gen Stats. It was a rough showing.
Loser: Special teams coordinator John "Bones" Fassel
The Titans' special teams unit isn't nearly as productive as it was throughout 2025. Coordinator John "Bones" Fassel has routinely discussed the issues at his press conferences. On Sunday, three Chimere Dike kickoff returns were flagged for FOUR total holding penalties. The opposing unit also allowed a 25-yard Bengals punt return at an ill-advised time. Coach Fassel needs to sort through his mess, undisciplined unit.
Winner: DE Jacob Martin
Veteran defensive end Jacob Martin continues playing underrated football. Following the Simmons trade, fans wondered who would successfully rush the quarterback. The answer was Martin, who had a single-game career-high 3.0 sacks. He's now produced 6.5 sacks in eight games, and looks like the crowning jewel of Mike Borgonzi's uneven free agency class.
Winner: CB Alontae Taylor
Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor, benched in consecutive weeks, consistently got on the field following a Marcus Harris injury. Taylor gave up a few catches, but also made game-changing plays. He helped complete a forced fumble as Bengals RB Chase Brown was struggling to get a handle on a carry. Later, Taylor broke up a Bengals two-point conversion. He looked so much more comfortable at nickelback following his struggles at cornerback.
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