The Cincinnati Bengals will hit the road to take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 4 of the 2023 NFL season. After losing their first two games of the season, the Bengals secured a 19-16 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in a rematch of Super Bowl 56 in Week 3.
The Titans were blown out 27-3 by the Cleveland Browns in Week 3, with the offense continuing to show a lack of consistency. Both teams are 1-2 to begin the season, and this game could determine whether or not either team can propel themselves back into being a playoff contender entering Week 5.
Ahead of what is a crucial game for the Bengals and the Titans, here are our best bets and predictions for Sunday’s matchup in Week 4.
Bengals vs Titans Odds
NFL odds used for this Cincinnati vs Tennessee preview were found at DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of September 27 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Bengals (-125) • Titans (+105)
- Spread: Bengals -2 (-110) • Titans +2 (-110)
- Total Points: Over 41.5 (-105) • Under 41.5 (-115)
- Implied Score: Bengals 22, Titans 20
Bengals vs Titans Predictions
Score Pick: Bengals 23, Titans 17
Clearly, quarterback Joe Burrow is not one hundred percent healthy as he deals with a calf injury he sustained during training camp. The star quarterback can’t make certain throws, and his mobility in the pocket is limited.
Even with all that hindering the Bengals, coach Zac Taylor adjusted in Week 3 to move Ja’Marr Chase to the slot more often. This adjustment allowed the Bengals to play with more of a quick-game passing attack, which prevented Burrow from taking unnecessary hits.
On the other side of the field, the offense of the Titans has been stagnant, with Ryan Tannehill orchestrating it. Despite adding DeAndre Hopkins into the mix, the Titans aren’t able to generate many explosive plays, and they struggle to sustain drives.
The Bengals also excelled at rushing the passer in Week 3 versus an offensive line of the Rams that dealt with multiple injuries. Cincinnati’s defense tallied six sacks and relentless pressure on Matthew Stafford this past week, and Tannehill will be under duress again after having to run for his life against the Browns.
Bengals vs Titans Best Bets & Props
Bengals -2 (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
Even with an injured version of Burrow, the Bengals seemingly found an identity that could allow them to manage games until their franchise quarterback is healthier. Whether it be the quick passing game with Burrow or handing the ball off to Joe Mixon, Cincinnati’s offense showed signs of life in Week 3 despite scoring only 19 points.
Meanwhile, there aren’t many positives for the Titans through the first three weeks besides their run defense. The Titans have allowed 13 sacks (tied for second-most in the NFL) and are averaging only 149.7 passing yards per game (third-fewest in the NFL).
The Bengals are first in neutral pass rate, and the Titans are 26th in pass defense DVOA. While the Bengals are 0-2-1 ATS this season, they were 8-3 ATS on the road last season, making this our NFL bet of the day.
Under 41.5 (-115)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
Even though the Bengals found a way to drive the ball and win in Week 3, two of their five scoring drives versus the Rams took five minutes or longer. With Cincinnati’s offense lacking explosive plays through the air right now, the Bengals will need to continue dinking and dunking the ball to score points.
Also, the Titans are averaging only 15 points per game (tied for third-fewest in the NFL), and the Bengals are posting only 15.3 points per game (fifth-fewest in the NFL). Both offenses are moving the ball slowly, and it’s tough to envision a scenario where either team scores plenty of points on Sunday.
The Bengals and the Titans are both 1-2 to the Over this season. And in the last two meetings since the 2021 season, the Under has hit.
Evan McPherson: Over 1.5 Field Goals Made (-105)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
The Bengals were able to move the ball some against the Rams, producing 309 yards of offense and five scoring drives. Four out of five of those scoring drives ended with an Evan McPherson field goal, and he also missed a field goal attempt early in the game.
While McPherson has made two or more field goals just once this season, he has typically been an automatic kicker in recent years. Including the playoffs, McPherson had two or more field goals converted in 11 out of Cincinnati’s 19 games in 2022.
With a lack of their usual explosive plays, the Bengals will have to settle for field goals in certain moments on Sunday. Also, the opposing kicker has made at least two field goals in each of the Titans’ first three games this season.
Bengals vs Titans Same Game Parlay
Bengals vs Titans SGP (+440)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 units
- Bengals -5.5 Alternate (+145)
- Under 43.5 Alternate (-150)
- Evan McPherson: Over 1.5 Field Goals Made (-105)
Considering that I predicted the Bengals to win 23-17, I took the alternate spread of -5.5 in favor of Cincinnati. Even with Burrow limited due to his calf ailment, the Bengals are the superior team in this matchup.
I’m not expecting many points to be scored between the Bengals and the Titans, but I still went with the alternate total of Under 43.5 points. Both teams have been involved in games with 44 or more points just once through the first three weeks.
Lastly, I’m confident in McPherson remaining busy on special teams for the Bengals. Cincinnati will move the ball with its quick passing game, and Mixon won’t have much success running the football against Tennessee’s pass-funneling defense. The Bengals will be content settling for field goals on certain drives and forcing Tannehill to beat them on the defensive side of the ball.
