7 Keys to a Cincinnati Bengals Victory over Tennessee

It seems strange to be saying this, but seven games into the 2011 season, it's still good to be a Cincinnati Bengals fan. With a confidence inspiring win over Seattle last week, the Bengals have come out of their bye-week with momentum still intact. 

With Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland and then another meeting with Pittsburgh following this weeks match-up, the Bengals are going to have it tough in November.

If Cincy wants any hope of making the playoffs, a win against Tennessee will be crucial. With the AFC North tighter than ever right now, an extra number in the win column from this one could be vital, especially with difficult games approaching.

Here are seven keys to a Bengals victory over the Titans.

Avoid the Trap Game

Sunday's visit to Tennessee could well be a trap game for the 2011 Bengals. Riding high off of four straight wins, and with the consensus suggesting Cincy should comfortably beat the Titans, this could be a real letdown.

While I have every hope that the Bengals will continue their consistent play on both sides of the ball, I can't help but feel that this could be a bump in the road.

The Cincy defense will have to contest with a stout offensive line, that has allowed Matt Hasselbeck to have a productive year, and despite a down year there is always the threat that CJ2K could have a big day.

Focus will be key here, the Bengals' veteran players will need to keep their younger counterparts in check and not let them become complacent.

The Bengals should beat Tennessee on Sunday, but they need to go into this one thinking it could be as tough as a trip to Heinz Field if they want to come out with the W.

Keep CJ2K off His Game

CJ2K is looking more like Chris Johnson right now, averaging 2.8 yards per carry this year, in what has been a tough start for him.

It shouldn't matter to the Bengals on Sunday, who have already shut down the likes of Fred Jackson and Frank Gore this year. 

With CJ2K showing no signs of life last week against the Colts, you have to expect more of the same for him come Sunday, with his off the field issues continuing to follow him onto the pitch.

No matter how poor a year Johnson might be having, there is always a danger that he could have a big day and the Bengals will need to be stout if they want to take this charismatic runner down early.

If they can do this it will open the door to the following:

Blitz Matt Hasselbeck, Force Him to Panic

While veteran QBs across the league are losing their spots to rookies from the 2011 NFL draft class, Matt Hasselbeck has quietly done a good job in Tennessee.

The veteran signal caller has been asked to do a lot more with CJ2K struggling and has had to contend with losing his No.1 receiver Kenny Britt to injury, two story-lines that could work in the Bengals' favor on Sunday.

Hasselbeck has had some good protection this year, but when the heat does come, he has tendencies to let some ugly passes sail. With the pass-rushing defensive rotation that Cincinnati brings all day long, Hasselbeck could be in for a tough day, especially if he doesn't have a running back to lean on.

With a secondary determined to up their turnovers after a slow start, the Bengals will be tough opponents for Nate Washington & Co.

Expect to see big things from stand-outs Carlos Dunlap and Robert Geathers.

Keep Throwing Deep, Despite Interceptions

Andy Dalton threw two interceptions in A.J. Green's direction at Qwest Field last week that left both players frustrated. Luckily, the Bengals defense and special teams came up big and it didn't affect the game's outcome.

You might expect Jay Gruden to dial back the deep balls in the aftermath of it to help Andy Dalton out, but that might well be counter-productive.

The Green-to-Dalton formula has worked more times than it has failed, and the Bengals will need to keep that threat alive as much as possible on Sunday. 

Green is having a monster year and is more than capable of reeling in Andy Dalton's occasionally wayward passes. Dalton will need to get back on the horse early in this one to wipe those two interceptions from his psyche. He has all the character traits that suggest that he won't let past failures haunt him.

Cortland Finnegan will give Green a lot of hassle throughout the day, and the fiery young receiver will need to stay calm if he wants to remain productive.

A Big Return Game from Cedric Benson

For all the distractions Ced Benson has caused in 2011, his production hasn't done much to redeem him thus far. 

Marvin Lewis and the Bengals will be looking for Benson to come roaring out of the gate in this one, in order to prove that the team's sticking with him through this ordeal was worth it.

The Titans rank 27th against the run, and if Benson brings the heat on Sunday, there's no reason to believe he won't have a big day here.

Andy Dalton showed he is more than capable of winning without a bell-cow running back last week, and Benson will need to re-assert why he is this teams feature back.

If Benson can set up the play action pass, Dalton and the passing game should have a productive afternoon.

Solid Games from the Second-Stringers

Yet again, the Bengals will be without some key players on Sunday.

Starting MLB and vocal leader of the defense Rey Maualuga continues to rehab his sprained ankle, but will sit on the sidelines in the trip to Tennessee.

Similarly Jermaine Gresham will likely sit out for the second straight week as he tries to overcome a hamstring injury.

Both have been working with trainers this week and it looks like they could both be back in time to face Pittsburgh next week. 

While they rest however, Dan Skuta will take the defensive calls, something he has handled really well in the last two weeks considering how short an amount of time he had to prepare for his first start.

Veteran tight end Donald Lee will step into Gresham's spot once again, and will look to build upon his solid and dependable outing last week. 

Skuta is perhaps in the tougher position, but both will need to be able to continue to gel with the rest of the team, and maintain what is a good rhythm on both sides of the ball.

More Special Moments on Special Teams

Brandon Tate finally staked a claim for why he should be the Bengals primary return man on Sunday with his 56-yard punt return for a touchdown, and an AFC Special Teams Player of the Week nod.

Tate had seemed like a puzzling addition to the Bengals roster, one that many thought wasn't exactly necessary. However, with his big game in Seattle you have to hope that he has found some form and will continue in that fashion going forward.

With Dalton and the offense benefiting greatly from his services last week, another performance like that against Tennessee will be more than welcome.

With Adam Jones chomping at the bit to take a chunk out of his old team, the now almost injury-free Pacman could be a great asset. He is the sort of character that thrives off of personal-statement games like this, and will be looking to show Tennessee why they shouldn't have let him go.

The likely addition of Pacman to the kick return game may also get better results from Tate, as the two compete for the full-time gig.