The Cincinnati Bengals host the Tennessee Titans at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, November 1, at 1:00 p.m. ET. The gap between the two passing games defines this one. Joe Burrow leads an air attack that averages nearly 276 passing yards a game, while the Titans' own passing game trails Cincinnati's by a wide margin.

The Matchup

Records: Tennessee Titans 1-6 (0-4 home, 1-2 road); Cincinnati Bengals 4-2 (1-1 home, 3-1 road)
Venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Kickoff: Sunday, November 1, 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Line (DraftKings): CIN -12.5, O/U 46.5

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What Decides It

Cincinnati's passing game should find room all afternoon.

The Bengals throw for nearly 276 yards a game, and Tennessee allows nearly 246 through the air. Cincinnati's normal output already beats what the Titans typically give up, so Burrow doesn't need a special day to move the ball.

Burrow has 15 touchdown passes against 3 interceptions. Tee Higgins has 571 receiving yards, giving the Bengals a productive target against a defense that is already giving ground.

Tennessee's passing game is unlikely to exploit a vulnerable Bengals pass defense.

Cincinnati gives up nearly 254 passing yards a game, more than Tennessee's own defense allows. The problem for the Titans is that they throw for just 168 a game, so a pass defense that gives up yardage meets a passing attack that hasn't produced much of it.

Cam Ward has 4 touchdown passes and 5 interceptions. His receiving group is also banged up: Carnell Tate is out and Calvin Ridley is questionable.

The total asks for more points than these offenses usually produce.

Cincinnati averages about 27 points a game and Tennessee about 15, which adds up to roughly 43. That leaves the combined output a few points short of the market's number.

For the over to hit, one or both teams need to score above their averages. Tennessee would be trying to do it against a Bengals defense allowing about 20 points a game.

Players to Watch

Tennessee Titans

Passing: Cam Ward – 129-208, 1,179 YDS, 4-5 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Tony Pollard – 112 ATT, 478 YDS, 4 TD
Receiving: Wan'Dale Robinson – 29 REC, 205 YDS, 2 TD

Cincinnati Bengals

Passing: Joe Burrow – 157-219, 1,653 YDS, 15-3 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Chase Brown – 82 ATT, 285 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving: Tee Higgins – 33 REC, 571 YDS, 2 TD

Injury Report

Tennessee Titans

Out: Tommy Townsend (P) – Knee; Tyjae Spears (RB) – Knee; Carnell Tate (WR) – Shoulder
Questionable: Calvin Ridley (WR) – Hip; John Franklin-Myers (DE) – Groin

Cincinnati Bengals

Out: Kyle Dugger (S) – Quadriceps
Questionable: Joe Giles-Harris (LB) – Calf
Injured Reserve: Andrei Iosivas (WR) – Thumb; Erick All Jr. (TE) – Knee - ACL; Tanner Hudson (TE) – Pectoral

Losing Dugger at safety adds pressure on a Bengals pass defense that has given up yardage. Tennessee's offense has not shown it can take advantage of that.

Prediction

Bengals 28, Titans 13. Cincinnati arrives off a 35-13 road win and has the passing matchup in its favor, while Tennessee lacks the passing offense to keep pace. The Bengals cover, and the game stays under the total.