NASHVILLE – The Titans will face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch in the contest:
More From Will Levis
I've written a lot about Will Levis picking up some momentum since returning from his right shoulder injury – he's thrown for 7 TDs vs 2 INTs in the last five games compared to 5 TDs and 7 INTs in his first five. I thought the Titans quarterback lost some of that momentum this past Sunday against the Jaguars, however, when the team didn't score a touchdown. Levis didn't turn the ball over in that contest, and he hasn't turned the ball over in back-to-back games. But Levis also failed to make plays when it really mattered, in the red zone, and at the end of the game. The Titans are going to need more points to beat the Bengals, and they're going to need more from Levis.
Will Tony Pollard Top 1,000?
The Titans are getting a lot from running back Tony Pollard, who needs just 63 more rushing yards to be the fifth player with 1,000 yards in his first season with the franchise (Earl Campbell, Eddie George, DeMarco Murray, Chris Johnson). Pollard would also become the first player from the University of Memphis with three 1,000-yard rushing seasons in the NFL. In 2024, Pollard has seven games with 80-plus rushing yards (only Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley have more). How's this for a fun fact: The Titans have averaged 5.7 yards per carry when running outside left in 2024 (4th in the NFL) and they've averaged fewer than 4.0 yards when running other directions.
Can the Titans Slow Down Joe Burrow?
Titans coach Brian Callahan called Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow the MVP of the league this season. And while I don't think he'll win it, looking at the stats, Burrow has made a case for himself, even while on a 5-8 team. Burrow leads the NFL with 335 completions, 3,706 passing yards, and 33 passing touchdowns. Tom Brady (2021), Peyton Manning (2013 & 2000), Drew Brees (2011 & 2008) and Kurt Warner (2001) are the only players to lead all three categories in the last 30 years. Burrow has really been rolling of late, with 250-plus passing yards and three passing touchdowns in each of his last five games. The Titans, who still have the NFL's No.1 ranked passing defense, need to pressure Burrow and limit his escapability.
What About Ja'Marr Chase?
Part of the way to slow down Burrow is to contain Chase, which is much easier said than done. Chase has been ridiculously good – he leads the NFL with 93 receptions, 1,319 yards and 15 touchdowns. He'd be the fifth 'triple crown winner' since the 1970 merger (Cooper Kupp 2021, Steve Smith Sr. 2005, Sterling Sharpe 1992 and Jerry Rice 1990). I know how good he's been, because he's on my fantasy team. (Since I have a playoff bye this weekend, there will be no conflict for me). The Titans will have their hands full here, from cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie to Jarvis Brownlee Jr to Darrell Baker to the entire secondary, because Chase isn't the only threat. Another Chase, RB Chase Brown, can do it all out of the backfield as well.
Latham vs Hendrickson
I think left tackle JC Latham is going to end up being a really good player for the Titans for years to come. Latham has been mostly solid in his rookie season, but he's also had some lapses, including one this past Sunday when he got Levis crushed. On Sunday, Latham will face a huge challenge in Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who leads the NFL with 12.5 sacks in 2024. Hendrickson has faced a rookie twice this season, and he's recorded five pressures and three sacks in those contests. Latham and the entire Titans o-line need to protect Levis, who has been sacked 24 times in the last five games (2nd most in the NFL since Week 10, behind Caleb Williams (27) of the Bears). A not-so-fun fact: Levis is 3-2 in his career when sacked 1 or fewer times in a game, and 2-12 when sacked multiple times in a game.
Importance of Week 15
Well, thanks to last week's loss, the Titans are now officially eliminated from playoff contention. With the team's 3-10 record, let's face it, the shine of this season has worn off for a lot of fans. So, what's there to play for? The Titans, who are 5 ½-point underdogs against the Bengals, are playing for pride at this point. They're also in a position to be a spoiler for a Bengals team trying to make the playoffs, and Titans fans would love to kick the Bengals, who will forever be remembered as the franchise that dashed their Super Bowl hopes in 2021. Callahan would also love to beat his former team, of course. For draft fans, I've started to include this: The Titans are currently projected to hold the 7th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and this will likely change depending on results from the weekend.
