Joe Burrow had thrown three interceptions, and the Tennessee Titans had pushed the Bengals to the brink at Paycor Stadium. Then, in overtime, Cincinnati’s quarterback raced 9 yards around the left end for the winning touchdown, lifting the Bengals to a 43-36 victory. The 4-2 Bengals wanted to keep their playoff chase moving, while the 1-6 Titans arrived trying to turn another close game into a season-changing win.

Tennessee came out flying. Cam Ward guided two sharp opening drives, and kicker Joey Slye put the Titans ahead 3-0. Then Tony Pollard burst through the right side for a 40-yard touchdown. His speed turned a small opening into a 10-0 lead. After safety Hooker intercepted Burrow, Tennessee drove deep again and added another Slye field goal for a 13-0 advantage.

Burrow and the Bengals answered before halftime. A long pass to Tee Higgins set up a 30-yard touchdown throw to Ja’Marr Chase, cutting the score to 13-7. Cincinnati’s defense soon recovered a fumble by Wan’Dale Robinson, but the Titans stopped the Bengals near the goal line. Burrow stayed patient on his next chance, leading a late drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jack Endries. Cincinnati took a 14-13 lead into halftime.

The wild game swung again after the break. Hooker picked off Burrow a second time, but defensive end Boye Mafe knocked the ball loose from Ward on Tennessee’s next play. Burrow quickly found Higgins for a 17-yard touchdown and a 21-13 lead. Ward did not fold. He drove Tennessee downfield, and Pollard scored from 1 yard out. Ward added the two-point run to tie it, 21-21.

A Bengals safety late in the third quarter gave Cincinnati a 23-21 lead, but Tennessee kept charging. Chase Brown fumbled early in the fourth, and Pollard ripped off a 22-yard run to set up Ward’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Chimere Dike. The Titans led 28-23. Burrow answered with a 25-yard touchdown throw to Mike Gesicki, but his two-point pass fell incomplete.

Ward and Pollard struck back once more. Ward found Robinson for a 15-yard touchdown, then completed the two-point pass to Gunnar Helm for a 36-29 Titans lead with 3:46 left. Burrow, however, had one more answer. He found Higgins for an 18-yard tying touchdown with 1:17 remaining. Higgins finished with 10 catches for 155 yards and two scores, while Chase added 11 catches for 141 yards.

In overtime, Burrow marched Cincinnati down the field with throws to Chase, Samaje Perine, and Higgins. His 9-yard touchdown run finished the job. Burrow threw for 462 yards and five touchdowns, showing why Cincinnati can survive even a messy afternoon. The Bengals are now 5-2 and head to face the Atlanta Falcons. Tennessee falls to 1-7 but showed real fight behind Pollard’s 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Titans next face the Jacksonville Jaguars, still searching for the finish that slipped away in Cincinnati.

Joe Burrow’s Overtime Run Lifts Bengals Past Titans