Bengals Outlast Titans in OT Thriller, 43-36

The Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans were not expected to deliver one of the most entertaining games of the season, but Sunday's matchup at Paycor Stadium turned into exactly that. The two teams combined for 79 points and 950 total yards. The 1-6 Titans put up a fight from start to finish, but the Bengals prevailed 43-36 in overtime to move to 5-2.

Joe Burrow led the way, completing 38 of 48 passes for 462 yards and five touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions, all to Titans safety Amani Hooker, and was sacked three times. However, Burrow answered by leading touchdown drives in the fourth quarter and overtime, capping the night with a nine-yard scramble for the winning score. 

Cam Ward countered with 26 completions on 40 attempts for 304 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, and he added 41 yards on the ground.

Tee Higgins was Cincinnati's top target, catching 10 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Ja'Marr Chase added 11 receptions for 141 yards and a 30-yard score, which was the 60th touchdown catch of his career. 

The afternoon also belonged to a player at the opposite end of the experience spectrum, as Jack Endries hauled in a one-yard touchdown just before halftime for the first score of his career.

Mike Gesicki also contributed four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, while Chase Brown chipped in eight receptions for 46 yards.

For Tennessee, Tony Pollard carried the ball 21 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns, including a 40-yard run in the first quarter. Gunnar Helm led the Titans' receivers with five catches for 76 yards, while Chimere Dike added five catches for 71 yards and a score. Wan'Dale Robinson finished with six receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, Jordan Battle paced the Bengals with 12 tackles and two pass breakups. Dexter Lawrence II had seven tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery, while Boye Mafe forced a fumble and also recorded a sack. 

Tennessee was led by Anthony Hill Jr., who finished with 14 tackles, and Jacob Martin, who recorded three sacks. Hooker, meanwhile, made the biggest impact with three interceptions and three pass breakups.

This was a back-and-forth game that featured multiple lead changes, two ties and four Cincinnati turnovers. The Bengals fell behind 13-0 early, but Lawrence's sack in the final minute of regulation forced a punt and sent the game to overtime, where Cincinnati scored first and then stopped Tennessee on downs. 

The adversity was constant, but the Bengals still came out on top in a game that they needed to win. Now, they will turn their attention to a trip to Madrid to face the Atlanta Falcons.