Sunday, October 31, 2004
Bengals-Titans: The Edge
By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer
The Bengals might find a Halloween treat today at Tennessee in the form of a beat-up Titans team.
Injuries to key starters and questionable personnel decisions by management have combined to make for the worst Tennessee team since the move fromHouston.
The trick for the Bengals is playing on the road. While Tennessee is an uncharacteristic 0-3 at The Coliseum this season, the Bengals are 0-3 on the road and have lost their last five in a row away from home.
The wild card is Titans quarterback Steve McNair, listed as questionable late in the week with a bruised sternum. Tennessee is significantly better with McNair on the field, but if he can't go - and the talk in Nashville late in the week was that McNair won't play - the Bengals' chances of winning are greatly enhanced.
Still, the Bengals must avoid a letdown following Monday night.
QUARTERBACKS
With just six NFL starts to his credit, Carson Palmer is not yet a quarterback who can carry a team - like McNair. Palmer might get to that level, but for now he needs help. And he finally got that help Monday night from the run game and defense.
Tennessee backup Billy Volek has a stronger arm than McNair but has little of his flair for making big plays. In fact, in relief of McNair last week at Minnesota, Volek threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. Advantage Tennessee if McNair plays. Otherwise, it's Palmer all the way.
Edge: Titans
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ISOLATION BOOTH
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Bengals CB Deltha O'Neal Vs. Titans WR Derrick Mason
Deltha O'Neal is beginning to show why coach Marvin Lewis traded for him in April. O'Neal has played well against the run.
In snaring his first interception as a Bengal on Monday night, he flashed the talent that made him a Pro Bowl player in 2001.
Much of O'Neal's motivation came from playing Denver and coach Mike Shanahan, who traded O'Neal after shifting him to wide receiver late in the season.
Now O'Neal, like his teammates, will have to avoid a letdown at Tennessee today.
All he'll need to do for motivation is look across the line of scrimmage at Titans wide receiver Derrick Mason, who is tied for the AFC lead with 44 receptions.
Tennessee, crippled by injuries more costly than those that have beset the Bengals, is not what it used to be - especially if quarterback Steve McNair does not play.
Mason, in his last two games against the Bengals, has four touchdowns and 284 receiving yards - including a career-high 186 yards on Jan. 6, 2002.
O'Neal and fellow starting cornerback Tory James also will have to deal with wide receiver Drew Bennett, whose 33 receptions give him and Mason the most AFC catches for a duo.
Still, Tennessee has had little success going downfield in the pass game, and the Bengals are confident after beating a quality team in the Broncos.
"We've been struggling," O'Neal said. "We're going to feed off this game."
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RUNNING BACKS
Chris Brown's 663 yards are third in the league, but he has failed to finish three of the Titans' seven games, and he chafes at questions about his durability. He is questionable with a turf toe that held him out all week. Backup Antowain Smith goes if Brown can't. Durability is not a question with Rudi Johnson, who gets stronger as the game wears on. Witness his 36-yard touchdown run against Denver.
Edge: Bengals
RECEIVERS
Chad Johnson let his play talk in embarrassing Denver cornerback Champ Bailey. Today Johnson goes against Titans cornerback Samari Rolle, who's such a close friend that Johnson refers to him as his cousin.
Derrick Mason remains a threat, but the Titans pass game hasn't recovered from the retirement of Bengal-killer tight end Frank Wycheck. Rookie tight end Ben Troupe had six of his 11 receptions against the Vikings last week. Speedy wideout Tyrone Calico is out for the season, taking away the Titans' deep threat.
Edge: Bengals
OFFENSIVE LINES
Nothing against the job Jerry Fontenot did, but the return of center Rich Braham appears to have solidified the line. The line played its best all-around game in pushing the Broncos around for 133 rushing yards and limiting them to one sack. Titans left end Kevin Carter calls right tackle Willie Anderson his toughest matchup in the league.
The Titans looked forward to having their entire offensive line back for consecutive seasons for the first time since the move to Tennessee, but lost guard Zach Piller in the opener. Center Justin Hartwig is playing with a cracked ankle, and guard Benji Olson has missed time. Assorted injuries have affected the overall play of the Tennessee line, much as they had the Bengals'.
Edge: Bengals
DEFENSIVE LINES
The Titans have just 12 sacks in seven games, just one more than the Bengals in six games. Tennessee is much better against the run than the Bengals and is ranked 18th (115.7). Tackle Albert Haynesworth is an improving run stopper.
The Bengals will be playing without tackle Tony Williams, lost because of the cut block thrown by Denver's George Foster. Langston Moore gets his first career start beside former Titan John Thornton.
Edge: Titans
LINEBACKERS
Returning Pro Bowler Keith Bullock has 66 tackles and will be the top linebacker on the field. Injuries have taken returning starters Peter Sirmon (season) and Rocky Calmus (game) out of the lineup. Brian Simmons is quietly putting together a strong season for the Bengals, but the loss of Nate Webster in the middle really hurts.
Edge: Titans
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The return of safeties Kim Herring and Kevin Kaesviharn, coupled with solid play from cornerbacks Deltha O'Neal and Tory James, is allowing the front seven to play more aggressively.
Rolle is having another good season, but opposite corner Andre Dyson has given up receptions of 47 or more yards in three consecutive games. Former Bengals safety Lamont Thompson has resurrected his career as a true center fielder with three interceptions.
Edge: Bengals
SPECIAL TEAMS
Tennessee ranks last in both punt return and kickoff return yardage. The Bengals' kicking game continues to evolve into an asset.
Edge: Bengals
COACHES
Titans coach Jeff Fisher, in his 10th full season, is five victories from 100. The Bengals can look for such longevity from Marvin Lewis, who might have coached his finest game on Monday night.
Edge: Titans
CURNUTTE'S PREDICTION: Titans 24, Bengals 23
