The Cincinnati Bengals (3.5-point underdogs) face the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional playoffs on Saturday. Both teams have exceeded expectations this season, setting up an intriguing matchup between the surging Bengals and well-rested Titans.

The Bengals enter with momentum after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 26-19 in the Wild Card round. Their defense proved crucial, holding off a late Raiders comeback with a goal-line interception. While Cincinnati's offense managed just 308 total yards, their defensive performance carried them through.

The top-seeded Titans are coming off a first-round bye and could receive a massive boost with running back Derrick Henry potentially returning from injury. Henry has been cleared for contact in practice, and his presence would dramatically change Tennessee's offensive approach by:

• Taking pressure off quarterback Ryan Tannehill
• Helping control time of possession
• Limiting opportunities for Cincinnati's explosive offense

Keys to Victory:

• Bengals: Must handle the hostile road environment and playoff pressure, as their most impressive road wins this season came against weaker opponents
• Titans: Need impactful plays from Ryan Tannehill in the passing game to complement their run-heavy approach, especially after his struggles in last year's playoffs

The game's outcome likely hinges on Cincinnati's ability to perform in a tough road environment and Tennessee's success in balancing their running and passing attacks.

[Images and subsequent content appear to be unrelated to the main article and have been omitted for relevance]

Related Articles

Previous Articles