Dalton has been playing efficent football in 2014.
This Sunday, the Tennessee Titans will travel to Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati to take on the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals at 1 pm EST. The Bengals are ahead in the AFC North after starting 2-0, while the Titans are coming off a disappointing week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The game can be watched online via live stream below (free with subscription), or on the CBS Television network.
The Bengals are looking to keep their home winning streak going, as they have won their last 10 in Cincy. Last week they handled the Atlanta Falcons 24-10 to tie their franchise record, and they hope to keep it going against the Titans. If they get the type of production they saw out of the backfield last week, they have a good chance at keeping it going.
The Bengals made short work of the Atlanta defense because quarterback Andy Dalton threw for 252 yards, going 15-23 including a 76-yard touchdown pass to Mohamed Sanu. Also, Double-trouble Running backs Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill combined for 164 rushing yards and each scored a touchdown. Bernard was also responsible for 79 yards receiving on five catches. If the running backs can have that kind of success against the Titans, then it means Andy Dalton will probably be effective throwing the ball, too.
On defense, the Bengals new coordinator Paul Guenther is getting results, but his crew was running on fumes at the end of last week's matchup. Although they made crucial stops last week, the game appears to have taken a toll. The question this week is, will the Bengals D get it done again and find midseason legs in the trenches?
McCluster has been suffering from a foot injury, but he should be back at full speed by Sunday.
For the Titans, quarterback Jake Locker went 18-of-34 last week, for 234 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Tight end Delanie Walker caught 10 passes for 142 yards, a career high. Tennessee will need to figure out how to spread the ball around better if they want to succeed this week. Running backs Shonn Greene, who rushed for 40 yards against Dallas, and Dexter McCluster, who went for 30 yards on 4 carries, need to be involved more often.
For the Titans, although there have been some good play on the offensive side of the ball, the real stars have shined on defense. The Titans lead the AFC in sacks with 8. They have had 4 in each of the first two games.
They have to go back to week one's run defense, though, if they want to stop the Bengals. In week one they shut down Jamaal Charles; in week 2, Demarco Murray ran over them like a doormat. He rushed the ball 29 times and gained 167 yards on the ground.
To catch the game online, you can check out NFL Sunday Ticket. If you want to listen on the radio, the Titans can be heard on WGOW 1150 AM, and the Bengals broadcast on ESPN AM 1530. The game will be on the CBS Television Network with a 1 pm EST kickoff.
