The inactives are out for today’s game at Paul Brown Stadium between the Tennessee Titans and the Cincinnati Bengals, and here they are.
CINCINNATI BENGALS: LB Vontaze Burfict, RB Rex Burkhead, WR Marvin Jones, CB Chris Lewis-Harris, LB Sean Porter, DT Brandon Thompson, G Kevin Zeitler
TENNESSEE TITANS: OLB Akeem Ayers, WR Kris Durham, WR T.J. Graham, DL DaQuan Jones, DL Mike Martin, QB Zach Mettenberger, OT Byron Stingily
The only real question for the Titans was whether Jason McCourty, listed as questionable, would suit up. Groin injuries are always tricky with defensive backs, of course, but I always thought it was likelier than not he’d play. Ken Whisenhunt said moderately positive things about Mike Martin’s play last week, which tells you more about Whisenhunt than it does about healthy scratch Martin. Of course, it may also be a commentary on what sort of game the Titans are expecting. As I’ve noted before, the Bengals generally prefer bigger players on the line and the Titans may just view Martin as a bad matchup this week.
No big surprises for the Bengals, as Burfict, Thompson, and Zeitler were listed on the injury report as doubtful. A.J. Green was only listed as probable with his toe injury, so of course he’s up. Burfict and Zeitler are losses you’d realize. Mike Pollak came into the lineup for him last week, and I’ve seen him play before. Right guard could be a problem area for the Bengals. I thought Burfict was their best linebacker, too, and this could be another big Delanie Walker in the middle of the field game.
On the Bengals more generally, this is the first time the Titans have played them since 2011, but that Enemy Intelligence still works better than you’d expect it to for a team three years removed. There have been plenty of changes-Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill are the running backs, a bit of a contrast from Cedric Benson. Bernard you’ve seen the highlights for-marginal power, but a special burst and a fairly natural receiver. Rookie Hill stylistically reminds me some of LeGarrette Blount-not much initial quickness, not much speed, but some power once he gets going-though he has better vision and much better hands than Blount. Without getting into the whole debate, Dalton, while he’s progressed, still looks to me like a product of the offense more than anything else. And, yes, Green is still The Truth.
Defensively, they’ve played well in their first couple games after the departure of Mike Zimmer. The defensive line is big and talented; Geno Atkins is Jurrell Casey, only better. Carlos Dunlap is a long edge rusher who’ll play some on other side and has given Titans tackles, including Michael Roos, fits before. The corners are veterans and will contest everything. I’d look for the Titans to try to take at least one deep shot to Justin Hunter to see if he can get something over the top, not that I expect it to work. Without Burfict, I’d consider the linebackers the weak link and expect for the Titans to attack them, especially in space.
On the whole, though, I expect the Bengals to grind the Titans down, forcing them to work hard for yards and steadily chunking out gains on offense. One key will be whether the Bengals can score touchdowns; they’ve been a very good red zone team the past couple years, while the Titans have been awful defensively in the red zone the last 18 games. The Bengals missed three field goals last week. Turn some of those into touchdowns, and it’s a lot uglier than 24-3 after three quarters like it was against Atlanta last week. Outside of their postseason kryptonite, the Bengals have been dynamite at home lately. I’m not expecting this game to be as ugly as the 35-7 contest I travel to watch in 2007, but I’d probably give you the 6.5 points and take Cincinnati.
I’ll be yapping about the game on Twitter, so follow and talk to me there if you so desire. Recap up after the game, snap report Monday, then some actual content coming this week. Really.
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