Bengals overcome turnovers to beat Titans

The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Tennessee Titans 43-36 in overtime on Sunday, extending their season record to 5-2. The win came after the Bengals trailed early and allowed 36 points, marking a chaotic performance that head coach Zac Taylor acknowledged required late-game resilience from his players.

Quarterback Joe Burrow completed 38 of 52 passes for 462 yards and five touchdowns, plus a nine-yard rushing score in overtime. Despite the statistical output, Burrow threw three interceptions that put the team in precarious positions during the fourth quarter. The offense relied heavily on wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who combined for multiple touchdowns to offset defensive lapses.

The Titans opened the game with a 10-0 lead, exploiting weaknesses in the Bengals' pass defense against tight ends and over the middle of the field. Tight end Gunnar Helm led the offensive attack, while running back Tony Pollard gained 117 yards on the ground, including a 40-yard touchdown run that exposed issues with tackle coverage for the Bengals' linebackers and safeties.

Defensive end Dexter Lawrence provided a critical momentum shift in the fourth quarter with a sack on third down from the Bengals' 45-yard line with 32 seconds remaining. That stop preserved a chance for the offense and led to Burrow tying the game at 36 with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Higgins. Lawrence also recorded a strip sack and assisted on a safety later in the third quarter.

Cornerback DJ Turner exited the game with an ankle injury, leaving the defensive backfield uncertain as the contest entered its final minutes. Josh Newton and DJ Ivey were targeted for touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, highlighting ongoing struggles in the secondary. Taylor did not provide an update on Turner's status after the final whistle.

In overtime, the Bengals executed a methodical drive that ended in Burrow’s rushing touchdown. The defense sealed the victory on a fourth-down blitz that forced an incomplete pass from Titans quarterback Cam Ward. The result leaves the Bengals with a 5-2 record, though players like Barrett Carter noted the team must improve consistency to avoid similar close finishes against less dominant opponents.