SI

Last-Second FG Pushes Bengals Over Titans Into AFC Championship Game

Catch up with all the action from Cincinnati’s thrilling divisional round win with our live blog.

Matt Ehalt

In this story:

Bengals 19, Titans 16 — FINAL

Bengals fans waited 31 years for a playoff win.

They only waited one week for a second.

Cincinnati upset the top-seeded Titans, 19–16, on Evan McPherson’s walk-off 52-yard field goal on Saturday in Nashville. The Bengals won on the moneyline at +165 odds, covered as a 4-point underdog (-110) and the under (48.5) cashed at -110 odds.

Cincinnati (12–7) will visit either No. 2 Kansas City or No. 3 Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game next Sunday, their first trip to the conference title game since 1988.

The Bengals won this game despite Joe Burrow being sacked a record nine times—yes, nine—and Burrow (28 of 37, 348 yards) not throwing a touchdown pass.

The Bengals’ defense delivered with three interceptions that led to six points, including the game-winning field goal. Logan Wilson intercepted Ryan Tannehill with 20 seconds remaining, and Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase on the next play (five catches, 109 yards) to set up McPherson’s fourth field goal of the day.

McPherson converted all four of his attempts, including two from 50-plus yards.

Tennessee’s offense just could not sustain strong drives, even with Derrick Henry returning. Henry rushed 20 times for 62 yards and a touchdown, but didn’t take over a game like normally does. But this game doesn’t fall on his shoulders.

Tannehill has been outstanding as a Titan, but he didn’t have his best season and this game is going to leave a sour taste in Titans' fans mouth. Tennessee has now lost three straight playoff games dating to the 2020 AFC Championship Game. There are sure to be talk radio discussions about whether the Titans need to upgrade at the position.

The Titans wasted a brilliant game from A.J. Brown, who caught five balls for 142 yards and a score. That touchdown cashed his last touchdown prop at +850 odds.

The Bengals beat the Chiefs in Cincinnati this season, but did not play the Bills. They will be underdogs against either team, but they won’t be lacking confidence. Burrow, Chase, Tee Higgins (seven catches, 96 yards) and Joe Mixon (105 total yards, one touchdown) are a tough combination for any team to slow down.

This game featured a mixed bag in terms of betting.

The running backs (Henry and Mixon) both did not clear their rushing yards props, while Burrow cleared his passing yards total and Tannehill failed to do so. Chase, Higgins, Brown and Julio Jones each cleared their receiving yards props.

Those who backed this parlay at SI Sportsbook cashed at +700 odds: Bengals win, under 47.5 points and Bengals win the first half.

The Bengals are now playing with house money.

They weren’t expected to win the AFC North. They did.

They were underdogs against Tennessee. They won.

Now, they’re one win away from the Super Bowl.

Can Chase and Burrow take it back to 1988? We’ll find out next week.

Thanks along for following and be sure to follow our 49ers-Packers live blog!

7:30 p.m. ET — CINCINNATI WINS!

The Bengals are headed to the AFC Championship Game for the first time in 33 years!

Evan McPherson drilled a walk-off 52-yard field goal to give the Bengals a 19–16 win over the top-seeded Titans.

The Bengals intercepted Ryan Tannehill for the third time with 20 seconds remaining, and Joe Burrow then found Ja’Marr Chase for a 19-yard catch to put them in field goal range. McPherson completed a perfect day by converting his fourth field goal.

No. 4 Cincinnati will visit the winner of Bills-Chiefs next Sunday.

7:27 p.m. ET — Three picks!

The Bengals just picked off Ryan Tannehill for a third time tonight and have the ball at their own 47-yard line with 20 seconds left.

What a play!

7:20 p.m. ET — Two Minutes Left!!!

The Titans’ defense has given its offense a chance.

Tennessee forced another punt and the Titans have the ball at their own 19-yard-line with a second-and-7 looming on the other side of the two-minute warning.

Can Ryan Tannehill, who has not played well, redeem himself?

Let’s see ...

7:10 p.m. ET — How to Lose a Game

The Titans just made two rather odd calls that perhaps could be the turning point in their season.

Facing a third-and-1 at the Bengals’ 35-yard-line, the Titans ran an RPO and Ryan Tannehill kept the ball before being tackled for no gain.

One play later, the Titans ran a slow-developing run play for Derrick Henry that resulted in a two-yard loss when multiple defenders hit him in the backfield.

Turnover on downs.

Just a brutal sequence.

The Bengals now have the ball with 7:16 remaining.

Those two calls will be remembered in Nashville for a long, long time should the Titans lose this game.

Oh, and Joe Burrow was just sacked for the eighth time. Eight!!!

7:05 p.m. ET — Not What You Want

The Bengals responded to the Titans’ big drive ... with a punt.

On the bright side: Ja’Marr Chase has cleared his receiving yards prop (80.5) at -125 odds. He has four catches for 90 yards.

The under (48.5) is still looking good with 11:18 remaining.

6:55 p.m. ET — Sweet 16

A.J. Brown is a bad, bad man.

A ridiculous, one-handed, 33-yard touchdown catch by Brown has tied this game at 16 with 15 seconds left in the third quarter. The Titans capitalized on the great field position they received from Amani Hooker’s interception.

Brown’s score cashed his anytime touchdown prop at +130 odds!

The teams are tied entering the fourth and the Bengals have to be stunned considering they led by 10 points in the third quarter.

It should be quite the fourth quarter. Will the Bengals rebound from this haymaker or can the Titans ride this momentum to the AFC Championship Game?

Let's find out!

6:51 p.m. ET — The Interception of the Postseason?!?!

We just had the biggest call of the game—and perhaps the best interception of the playoffs!

Amani Hooker’s diving interception stood upon review to set the Titans up at the Bengals’ 27-yard line.

Joe Burrow’s pass went off Chris Evans’s hands (Captain America would have caught it!) and Hooker made what was initially ruled a diving grab. After a length review, the referees upheld the call. That’s exactly the type of play the Titans needed.

Now, let’s see if the Titans can capitalize ...

6:45 p.m. ET — Back in the Game

The Bengals have twice now allowed A.J. Brown to just find open space downfield.

Ryan Tannehill found Brown for a 40-yard gain that led to a field goal that cut Cincinnati’s lead to 16–9 with 1:36 remaining in the third quarter.

Brown has now cashed the over on his receiving yards (71.5) at -120 odds and his longest reception (23.5 yards) at -125. He has three catches for 89 yards.

The Titans now have more points than sacks!

An important drive is coming up for Cincinnati.

6:30 p.m. ET — Killer Interception

Just as it seemed the Titans were set to respond to Cincinnati’s score, Ryan Tannehill’s second interception may have just changed the game.

Tannehill went to throw a quick pass on first-and-goal at the 9-yard line, but Mike Hilton jumped, tipped the pass and grabbed it for an interception.

It was an absolute game-changing play that could be remembered for a long time.

The over has cashed on Tannehill’s interceptions prop (0.5) at +100 odds.

Cincinnati has a chance to potentially put this game away on this drive ...

6:25 p.m. ET — Perfect 10

As the notorious crime hunter Scooby Doo liked to say: Ruh-Roh (Tennessee).

The AFC’s top seed is in a 10-point hole after allowing a 16-yard touchdown run to Joe Mixon that capped a nine-play, 65-yard drive and gave Cincinnati a 16–6 lead.

The Bengals mixed and matched throughout the drive, with Joe Burrow’s seven-yard scramble on third-and-5 setting up Mixon’s touchdown.

Mixon cashed his anytime touchdown prop at -110 odds and now has 39 yards. He’s closing in on his prop of 58.5 yards.

The Titans, who have as many sacks as points, are in a bad spot considering their offense has done little today.

SECOND QUARTER

6 P.M. ET — End of the Half

The Bengals could not add to their lead but will gladly settle for a 9–6 halftime lead.

Cincinnati has kicked three field goals, while the Titans have just one touchdown drive. Tennessee’s decision to go for two instead of kicking the extra point could potentially loom large since they trail by a field goal instead of two points.

Let’s be blunt: This game has been ugly. Neither offense is crisp. Joe Burrow has been sacked five times and Ryan Tannehill is not inspiring much confidence.

Burrow has completed 17 of 24 passes for 236 yards, but that line looks better than how he has actually played. He’s on his way to topping his passing yards prop (280.5).

Tannehill is not playing well, completing just 7 of 13 passes for 92 yards and an interception. Derrick Henry has 30 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown.

Tee Higgins paces both teams with 71 receiving yards, while Evan McPherson has already converted three field goals.

The under (48.5) is looking good at this point, and Ja’Marr Chase (1-57) and A.J. Brown (2-49) are also on pace to clear their projections.

Both offensive lines need to play better in the second half, and Tannehill needs to up his play.

Cincinnati has to love that it is leading despite poor play from the offensive line and no touchdowns. It will be interesting to see what adjustments the Bengals make to combat Tennessee’s pressure, which has been relentless.

Cincinnati gets the ball to start the half and could make this a 10-point game, which would put the Titans in a vulnerable spot.

5:55 p.m. ET — Chance For More

The Titans could not build off their last drive and have punted the ball back to the Bengals with 1:02 left in the half.

Cincinnati has no timeouts and will start at their 19-yard line. If the Bengals hold a lead at the half, it cashes first-half moneyline at +145 odds.

5:50 p.m. ET — Evan Almighty

Joe Burrow has taken a pair of bad sacks today (one didn’t count) but neither have burned the Bengals yet.

Burrow, who is 13 of 17 for 176 yards, took a bad 12-yard sack on third down to force the Bengals into a 54-yard field goal. Evan McPherson, the Bengals’ MVP so far today, connected with his third field goal to give the Bengals the 9–6 edge.

Cincinnati is leading despite allowing five!!!! sacks thus far!

The Titans have 1:35 left in the half and that’s important since the Bengals will get the ball to start the second.

Let’s see if the Titans can carry their momentum from the last drive.

5:40 p.m. ET — Two-Minute Warning

The Bengals are poised to regain the lead as they have the ball at the Titans’ 21-yard line at the two-minute warning. Tee Higgins has contributed a pair of 15- and 20-yard catches to set up the Bengals for a potential late score.

Higgins has five catches for 69 yards and has already hit the over on his receiving yards prop (63.5) at -118 odds and receptions (4.5) at -150 odds.

5:32 p.m ET — All Hail The King!

Derrick Henry capped a nine-play, 84-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to tie the game a 6-all with 6:07 remaining. The Titans went for two following a penalty by Cincinnati, but the Bengals stopped Henry just short of the goal line. 

Henry cashed his anytime touchdown prop at -175 odds, along with first touchdown odds of +450. Henry's touchdown resulted in 6.3 fantasy points.

The Titans’ offense finally came to life following a 41-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill to A.J. Brown to begin the drive. That catch cashed the over on Brown’s longest reception (23.5) at -125 odds, and he has 49 yards right now.

The pressure is now on a stagnant Cincinnati offense to respond.

5:20 p.m ET — A Defensive Battle

While neither offense is doing much, the defenses came to play.

The Titans’ defense has done its part to keep this game within six points considering their lack of offensive production. Both lines are being overwhelmed by the opposing pass rush at this point, and neither running back has had a fast start.

Let’s see if Derrick Henry is back out there to start this drive.

Henry and Joe Mixon have combined for 15 yards on 10 carries, and seem unlikely to top their rushing yards props of 84.5 and 58.5 yards, respectively.

Their lack of success is not stunning considering both teams ranked in the top five in rushing yards allowed per game.

Ja’Marr Chase’s 57-yard catch is still the biggest highlight thus far.

FIRST QUARTER

5:15 p.m ET — A Quarter to Forget

The first quarter ended with the Bengals leading the Titans, 6–0.

The Titans have produced just 37 yards through four drives and just punted once again. Derrick Henry has just five touches for 11 yards and has not touched the ball since the 6:52 mark of the quarter, which could be worth monitoring.

The Bengals have to be loving how this game is going, even if their offense has basically been one huge play by Ja’Marr Chase.

The under (48.5) is still looking quite good.

5:05 p.m. ET—Hello, Ja’Marr!

Ja’Marr Chase has entered the chat.

Chase took a simple pass and turned it into a 57-yard gain that led to a 45-yard field goal to put the Bengals ahead 6–0 with 2:11 remaining in the first quarter.

Ah, to remember that I took Tyler Boyd over Chase in fantasy drafts this summer.

If you bet kicking props, you have to love that Evan McPherson has already cleared the over/under on his field goal props (1.5) at +115 odds.

The Titans’ offense needs to get going.

5 p.m. ET — Third Time Isn’t the Charm

A third straight Titans’ drive ends without points.

Tennessee drove the ball to the Bengals’ 38-yard line, but a bad drop by Khari Blasingame on second down prevented an easy first down. A poor throw by Ryan Tannehill on third down made Mike Vrabel decide between a potential 57-yard field goal or a punt. Vrabel opted for a delay of game and a punt.

Both offenses have been sluggish thus far, combining for 38 net yards. Those who backed the under (48.5) have to like the way this one is going.

Derrick Henry has 11 yards on five rushes.

4:46 p.m. ET — Not an Ideal Start For the Titans

The Titans probably envisioned a smoother start.

Their second drive went as follows: Derrick Henry 2-yard rush, Derrick Henry 1-yard loss and a sack on third down. Punt.

The Bengals have the ball again and a chance to put a real scare into the Titans faithful. Tennessee isn’t built to play catch-up.

4:40 p.m. ET — Bengals Strike First

The Bengals turned the interception into three points in a rather fortunate way.

Joe Burrow took a sack on third down that would have resulted in a 50-yard-ish field goal attempt, but the play was ruled dead due to a delay of game.

The Bengals instead backed up five yards before Burrow completed an eight-yard pass to set up a 38-yard field goal that Evan McPherson drilled.

Cincinnati leads, 3–0, with 12:03 remaining in the first.

4:33 p.m. ET — Kickoff! And an Interception!

The Bengals kicked off and the Titans will get the ball first.

And we already have a turnover!

Jessie Bates III jumped a Ryan Tannehill pass to set up the Bengals in Tennessee territory. What a start for Cincinnati.

4:05 p.m. ET — SI Sportsbook Fun

As we’re less than an hour away from kickoff, how about placing some fun bets with boosted odds at SI Sportsbook?

Here is one bet involving just the Bengals-Titans game:

• Bengals -3.5, Over 47.5 points, Joe Mixon anytime TD (+450, boosted from +400)

If you prefer bets that involve multiple games, here are some potential options:

• Ja’Marr Chase and Davante Adams both score (+300, boosted from +250)
• Julio Jones, George Kittle both over 49.5 receiving yards (+350, up from +300)
• Titans and Packers both win (+150, boosted from +115)
• Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers both tally 300+ passing yards (+700, up from +650)

You can also bet players’ future odds to have the most passing, receiving and rushing yards during the divisional round. Here are the odds for players in this game:

• Passing: Burrow (+350), Tannehill (+1400)
• Rushing: Derrick Henry (+400), Joe Mixon (+500), D'Onta Foreman (+3000), Dontrell Hilliard (+6000)
• Receiving: Chase (+700), A.J. Brown (+1200), Tee Higgins (+2500), Tyler Boyd (+3300), C.J. Uzomah (+4000), Nicholas Westbrook-Ikhine (+8000), Geoff Swaim (+10000), Anthony Firkser (+10000)

Yours truly really likes the Bengals +4 today. This feels like a competitive game and getting the Bengals at more than a field goal seems like a good value since they can outright win this game. I’m leaning toward the under (48.5) because I feel like this game finishes in the 24–21, 20–17 ranges, rather than the 28–24 range.

Among player props, I like Chase’s chances to top 80.5 yards. There’s clearly a connection with Burrow and we saw last week how Burrow can focus on Chase.

3:10 p.m. ET — Derrick Henry Is Active

Derrick Henry is officially active for the Titans, as expected. That’s a huge boost for Tennessee, especially its offense.

Neither team has any surprise inactives. The game kicks off in a little more than an hour. Be sure to keep following for updates!

3 p.m. ET — Welcome to the Divisional Round!

The first of the four NFL playoff matchups kicks off Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET when the top-seeded Titans (12–5) welcome the AFC North champion Bengals (11–7).

Tennessee is a 4-point favorite at SI Sportsbook, and the game has an over/under of 48.5. SI Betting previewed this game and offered a best bet.

This should be a fascinating matchup, especially with the Titans welcoming back superstar running back Derrick Henry to the lineup. Tennessee activated Henry from injured reserve Friday, putting him in position to play.

Henry hasn’t played since Week 8 due to a fractured foot and his importance to this offense cannot be overstated. While the value of running backs across the league has seemed to decline, Henry is the piece that makes the Titans capable of beating anyone. He amassed 937 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns before his injury and played a critical role in Tennessee’s wins over the Bills and Chiefs earlier in the year.

There are obviously questions about how much of a workload Henry will receive in his return and how effective he will be after such a long layoff. But his return should help A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, since the Bengals will have to focus more on stopping the run than they would if the Titans relied on secondary options like D’Onta Foreman.

Henry has -188 odds to score a touchdown Saturday.

While Cincinnati is stout against the run, ranking fifth in rushing yards allowed per game, losing starting defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi is a tough blow. The Bengals finished 26th in passing yards allowed per game, so there should be chances for Brown and Jones through the air.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s passing yards over/under is 235.5 yards.

Cincinnati enter this game riding high after its first playoff win in 31 years, and are looking to reach the AFC conference championship for the first time since 1988.

Cincinnati’s receiving trio of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd is as good as any in the league, and quarterback Joe Burrow may have to lean on his receivers against a Titans defense that ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (84.6).

Chase announced his presence in the wild-card win over the Raiders by catching nine balls for 116 yards, and he could be in line for another big day against a Titans defense that ranked 25th in passing yards allowed per game. Chase’s reception over/under is 6.5 and his receiving prop is 80.5 yards, while Higgins’ props are sitting at 4.5 catches and 62.5 yards.

Chase has +115 odds to score a touchdown, while Higgins has +175 odds.

Burrow’s passing yards over/under is 285.5 yards and running back Joe Mixon’s rushing yards props is just 60.5, indicating that the expectation is the Bengals will air it out.

The MMQB’s Conor Orr is on site in Nashville as the first of the four conference championship spots will be secured. Follow along and let’s have some fun!

More NFL Coverage:

• Cooper Kupp’s Approach to Greatness
• Fits for Giants’, Raiders’, Bears’ and Broncos’ Jobs
• Ranking the NFL’s Eight Head Coaching Vacancies
• How the 17-Game Season Looks After a Week of the Playoffs
• Roundtable: Which Divisional Props Are You Betting?

Published
Matt Ehalt
MATT EHALT

Matt Ehalt is an associate betting editor. He covered New York City sports for 10+ years, including six as a Mets beat writer. You can follow him on Twitter @MattEhalt.

Home/NFL