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Postgame Observations: Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins Lead Bengals Past Titans 20-16

Cincinnati improves to 7-4 on the season.
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NASHVILLE — Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins led the Bengals to a 20-16 win over the Titans on Sunday at Nissan Stadium. 

Cincinnati trailed for most of the entire first half, but the controlled the tempo in the fourth quarter and won for the fifth time in six games. 

The Bengals improve to 7-4 on the season. Here are some postgame observations. 

Big Play in Crunch Time

Joe Burrow didn't have his best game of the season, but he led Cincinnati on a 6-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 29-yard touchdown to Tee Higgins. 

Burrow completed 22-of-37 passes for 270 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for 32 yards. 

Speaking of Higgins, he made an outstanding 29-yard catch late in the fourth quarter to help the Bengals get in the red zone. 

The star wide receiver finished with seven receptions for 114 yards and one touchdown. 

Defense Stands Strong

The Bengals' defense gave up a few big plays, but they were stout against Derrick Henry and the Titans.

Henry finished with just 38 rushing yards on 17 attempts. He did have a 69-yard reception, but outside of that play, Cincinnati kept Tennessee's star in check. 

Samaje Shines

Samaje Perine played well on Sunday, starting in place of Joe Mixon (concussion). 

Perine ran for 58 yards and one touchdown. He also had 35 receiving yards. 

Slow Start

Burrow completed just five of his first 10 passes for 19 yards. Cincinnati started 0-for-3 on third down and picked up just two first downs in the first quarter.

The Bengals finished with just 31 yards in the first quarter and averaged 2.4 yards-per-play.

Six of their 13 plays in the first quarter came from inside their own 10-yard line.

Sloppy Special Teams

The Bengals were called for two holding penalties and an illegal block out of bounds in the first half. All three penalties happened on punt returns, which cost the Bengals' valuable field position.

Up Next

The Bengals return to Cincinnati to host the Chiefs on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4:25 p.m. ET at Paycor Stadium. 

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