Bengals vs. Titans Predictions: 4 Bold Calls for Week 8

Mike Gesicki scores for the fifth straight game

The Cincinnati Bengals are down another tight end after they placed Erick All on injured reserve with a knee injury. He was optimistic after Cincinnati's win over Baltimore that the injury wouldn't be too bad, but it was apparently bad enough to keep him out at least a month.

That comes after Tanner Hudson tore a pectoral muscle against the Dolphins. He will miss the rest of the season.

That means more targets for Mike Gesicki, who is having his best touchdown season with five scores in six games. As Tennessee continues to key on Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase in the red zone, look for Joe Burrow to keep targeting Gesicki for scoring plays.

Tee Higgins goes over 100 yards again

Chase has had a slow start to the season, as defenses seem to be keeping him from getting behind them for big plays. He told reporters he thinks he's had opportunities downfield, but the ball just hasn't come his way, and he isn't too concerned.

Higgins has been the beneficiary of Chase's slow start and will continue to be. He has had a great season so far, with multiple 100-yard games and no drops through the first seven weeks. Higgins has 90 or more yards in four of his last five games, and he'll extend that stretch against the Titans on Sunday.

Joe Burrow gets off to a fast start, throwing two first-half touchdown passes

Cincinnati had just six run plays to 13 pass plays in the first half against Baltimore last week, and I think the script will be similar against Tennessee. This time, though, the Bengals will have more success pushing the ball downfield early and will build a two-score lead in the first half.

The Tennessee Titans have kept games close, but they've largely faced weaker competition. Expect the Bengals to step on the gas and cover the 10.5-point spread.

Cam Ward throws two interceptions

Ward has thrown an interception in five straight games heading into Sunday, and Cincinnati's will be one of the best defensive backfields he has faced this season. DJ Turner is playing like an elite cornerback who is about to get paid a lot of money, and Dax Hill is living up to his billing as the complement to Turner that makes the duo so dangerous.

Ward will try to force a ball to Carnell Tate, but Turner will intercept it. Then Cincinnati's defensive line will get pressure on Ward, forcing him to rush a throw that Barrett Carter will pick off.