Bengals erase 13-point deficit in OT win

Cincinnati fans witnessed a rare statistical feat on Sunday as the Bengals overcame a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Tennessee Titans 43-36. Quarterback Joe Burrow threw five touchdown passes in regulation and added a rushing touchdown in overtime to secure the win. The performance marked the second time this season Burrow has passed for over 400 yards, finishing with 462 yards on 33 of 48 attempts.

The victory improved the Bengals to a 5-2 record, their best start since 2021. This result follows a similar comeback the previous week when they overcame a halftime deficit against Baltimore. According to Sportradar, it is the first time since 2020 that a team has rallied from 13-point first-half deficits in consecutive games. For the Bengals, it was the third time in franchise history that they have accomplished this feat.

Tennessee held a 13-0 lead after the first quarter. The Titans scored on their first three drives, aided by a 40-yard touchdown run by Tony Pollard. Pollard broke four tackles on the play, which extended the lead to 10-0 midway through the opening frame. The Titans entered the game as 13.5-point underdogs and played without injured wide receiver Carnell Tate and pass rusher Jeffery Simmons, who was traded to the Chicago Bears on Thursday.

Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence influenced the game with seven tackles and two pivotal stops. He recorded a sack late in regulation that kept Tennessee out of field-goal range. Lawrence also recovered a fumble in the third quarter and teamed with Demetrius Knight Jr. to force a safety in the end zone. The safety gave Cincinnati a 23-21 lead with 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Lawrence told Burrow before the final drive that he was legendary and to go be legendary.

The game featured four turnovers by Cincinnati. Titans safety Amari Hooker intercepted Burrow three times, tying a franchise record. Hooker became the first NFL player with three interceptions in a single game since Jordan Whitehead in 2023. The last Titans player to achieve this was Kevin Byard III in 2017. Hooker noted that the defense had to generate takeaways to keep the game close against a high-powered offense.

Tennessee regained the lead in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Cam Ward, in his first 300-yard passing game, connected with Wan’Dale Robinson for a 15-yard touchdown with 3:42 remaining. Gunnar Helm caught the subsequent 2-point conversion pass, giving the Titans a 36-29 advantage. Burrow tied the game at 36 with an 18-yard pass to Tee Higgins with 1:17 left in regulation. He then scored on a 9-yard run in overtime.

Tee Higgins finished with 10 receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Ja’Marr Chase added 11 catches for 141 yards and a score. Both receivers combined for 100-yard games for the fourth time since 2021. Ward completed 26 of 40 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns for Tennessee. The Titans failed to convert on a fourth-and-3 at their own 35-yard line after taking possession following Burrow’s overtime score.

The Titans are 1-7 and have lost consecutive games after holding first-quarter leads of at least 13 points. This is the fourth time in NFL history a team has lost back-to-back games in that scenario. They are up 14-0 last Sunday against Cleveland before losing on a last-second field goal. Coach Robert Saleh said the team had to fight hard to keep up with Cincinnati’s offensive output.

The Bengals travel to Madrid next Sunday to play the Atlanta Falcons. The Titans have a bye week before hosting Jacksonville on Nov. 15. Several players from both teams left the game with injuries. For Cincinnati, linebackers Cedric Johnson and Cashius Howell, along with cornerback DJ Turner, suffered injuries in the second half. For Tennessee, cornerback Marcus Harris, linebacker James Williams Sr., and cornerback Kevin Winston Jr. exited in the second and third quarters.