NFL Week 9 Predictions: Expect Bengals' Stout Defense to Smother Titans

Cincinnati Bengals +3 @ Tennessee Titans

This just in: The Bengals are legit.

People refuse to give them credit because of a pillow soft schedule, but that’s not their fault.

The defense is quietly the story of the NFL at the halfway point of the season as defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has found the perfect rotation up front. He dials up an eight-man rotation on the line that keeps the pressure coming, while also giving the gigantic guys plenty of rest.

They are ninth against the pass (212 yards per game) and second against the run (85.4 YPG)—good enough for No. 2 overall.

Which brings us to Chris Johnson.

The highest paid running back in the NFL is averaging 2.8 yards a carry and has a grand total of one touchdown this season. He is slow to the hole and is not breaking tackles the way he used to. He even admitted to not being in football shape this week on the Jim Rome show.

It has crushed the balance of the offense and QB Matt Hasselbeck hasn’t been able to pick up the slack—especially since Kenny Britt’s season-ending injury.

Don’t expect things to change this week against the disciplined and incredibly fast Bengals front eight.

Sure, rookie QB Andy Dalton doesn’t have eye-popping numbers (14,79 yards, nine TDs, seven INTs), but that’s why the defense has been so essential to their 5-2 start.

The defense sets the offense up in positions to succeed by getting three-and-outs, and the “Red Rifle” is taking full advantage of the favorable field position. It wasn’t a fluke he won Rookie of the Month in October. With a reliable runner in Cedric Benson tailor-made for the 20- to 25-carry load the Bengals demand and rookie receiver A.J. Green, who has justified being the fourth overall selection, this offense is a well-oiled machine.

The Bengals currently have a big green arrow pointing up while the Titans are dropping faster than the popularity of the NBA.

With three road wins already under their belt, expect the Bengals to notch No. 4 on Sunday.

Key Trends:

Road team is 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings.

Titans are 0-4 ATS in their last four games following a ATS win.

Bengals are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as an underdog.

Bengals are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall.

Prediction: Bengals 24 Titans 20

(Spread courtesy of Covers.com.)