CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals will be heavy favorites when they host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, but one player could make the matchup more difficult than expected. Running back Tony Pollard is coming off his best performance of the season, and Cincinnati's ability to contain him could determine whether the Bengals control the game or find themselves in another tight contest.
Pollard rushed for 129 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries in Tennessee's 27-24 loss to Cleveland last Sunday. He gained 60 yards on the Titans' opening possession, including a 36-yard touchdown run, and added a second score from 10 yards out on Tennessee's next drive. Those two touchdowns gave the Titans an early 14-0 lead.
The Browns eventually recovered to win, but Pollard showed what Tennessee's offense can do when its running game is working and they don't have to relly on Cam Ward to move the ball down field. He finished with 155 yards from scrimmage, forced eight missed tackles, and gained 120 rushing yards after contact, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Cincinnati's run defense has been inconsistent this season, allowing 116.3 rushing yards per game and 4.7 yards per carry. Those numbers suggest Pollard could find room if the Bengals fail to maintain their gap assignments.
However, the Bengals are coming off one of their better defensive performances against the run. Cincinnati limited Baltimore's Derrick Henry to 45 yards on 17 carries Sunday, holding him to just 2.6 yards per attempt. The Bengals will need a similar effort against Pollard.
Tennessee (1-6) has struggled offensively throughout the season, averaging just 15.4 points and 248.6 yards per game. Second-year quarterback Cam Ward has had difficulty generating big plays through the air, making Pollard the main focus of anyone who plays the Titans.
If Tennessee can establish the running game, it can avoid putting Ward in obvious passing situations and keep Joe Burrow and Cincinnati's offense on the sideline. Pollard's performance against Cleveland showed how quickly the Titans can move the ball when their offensive line creates running lanes and he gets to the second level.
For Cincinnati (4-2), the answer starts with winning at the line of scrimmage and tackling consistently. The Bengals cannot allow Pollard to turn short gains into explosive runs, especially on early downs when Tennessee can stay committed to running the football.
The Bengals have the more productive offense and should have the advantage at home, but allowing Pollard to dictate the pace could keep Tennessee in the game longer than expected. If Cincinnati contains him as effectively as it did Henry, the Titans will have a much tougher time moving the football.
