Titans Vs Bengals: Cam Ward’s Struggles And Life After Jeffery Simmons Lead Week 8 Storylines

Titans Face Bengals With Ward Struggling And Simmons Gone© Instagram

Cam Ward will try to get Tennessee's passing game moving Sunday while the Titans find out what their defense looks like without Jeffery Simmons.

The trip to Cincinnati comes after a 27-24 loss to Cleveland and a trade that sent Tennessee's most disruptive defender to Chicago. At 1-6, the Titans have little margin for another uneven performance from their second-year quarterback. They also face a Bengals offense coming off consecutive games in which Joe Burrow threw four touchdowns without an interception.

Kickoff at Paycor Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern on November 1. The game will air on CBS.

Ward Needs More Than Another Late Rally

Ward finished the Browns game with 181 passing yards, no touchdown passes and an interception. He has thrown a pick in five consecutive games, with three touchdown passes over that stretch.

Tennessee's timing has been a problem, too. All four of Ward's touchdown passes this season have come in fourth quarters, while the Titans have been outscored 72-3 in second quarters. A 14-0 lead against Cleveland still ended in defeat.

The offensive line has offered better protection. Tennessee has allowed 11 sacks, including only one across its past two games, but Ward has surpassed 200 passing yards just once this season.

His receiving options are thinner this week. Rookie Carnell Tate is out with a shoulder injury, while Calvin Ridley is questionable with a hip problem despite practicing fully Friday.

Tony Pollard supplied the offense's biggest performance against Cleveland, rushing for 129 yards and three touchdowns. Another productive afternoon would help Ward against a Cincinnati front that has collected 21 sacks in six games.

Simmons' Departure Leaves Tennessee Facing Burrow Without Its Anchor

The Titans traded Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick for Chicago's first-round selections in 2027 and 2028, plus a 2027 fourth-rounder. Those picks cannot help the defense Sunday.

Simmons left with a team-leading four sacks. Jacob Martin has 3.5 and Jermaine Johnson II has three, but Tennessee must replace production inside as well as the attention Simmons commanded from blockers.

John Franklin-Myers has been playing through injuries. The Titans have also added Jonah Laulu and turned to Jimmy Horne as they rebuild their defensive tackle rotation.

Burrow offers an unforgiving first test. Tee Higgins produced 148 receiving yards against Baltimore last week, all in the second half, while Ja'Marr Chase and Mike Gesicki also caught touchdown passes.

Cincinnati is seeking a third consecutive victory. Tennessee's defense was allowing 364.1 yards per game even before losing Simmons.