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Titans vs. Bengals: 5 Bold Predictions For Week 3 Showdown

Titans vs. Bengals: 5 Bold Predictions For Week 3 Game

Shonn Greene, Tennessee Titans running back and Reggie Nelson, Cincinnati Bengals free safety
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On Sunday, the 1-1 Tennessee Titans will play the 2-0 Cincinnati Bengals in Paul Brown Stadium in a battle between two AFC contenders. The Titans will look to advance in a division that looks weak, while the Bengals will try to win their third straight game before a Week 4 bye. The Bengals will likely play without A.J. Green, but Cincinnati's rushing offense will lead the team to victory over an unproven Titans team.

5. Titans' Running Game Struggles

Shonn Greene, Tennessee Titans running back
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5. Titans' Running Game Struggles

Shonn Greene, Tennessee Titans running back
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The Titans have been a fairly decent team at running the football, but the Bengals' defense has shut down the run so far this season. The Bengals have allowed less than 200 rushing yards per game in 2014, and the defense should be able to continue its streak of dominance in the running game against a Titans team with no proven starter at the running back position. Look for Shonn Greene to struggle -- rookie Bishop Sankey could outplay him.

4. Jake Locker Throws 2-plus Interceptions

Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans quarterback
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4. Jake Locker Throws 2-plus Interceptions

Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans quarterback
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Jake Locker has played decent football over the first two weeks of the season, yet he threw two interceptions in the Titans' loss to the Cowboys. Throwing two interceptions against a defense that was torn apart by San Francisco just a week before shows Locker's inconsistency. His ability to read the defense is just not quite there yet after missing so much time due to injury in his career. Cincinnati should have a field day on defense.

3. Bengals' Defense Records 3-plus Sacks

Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati Bengals left defensive end and Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons quarterback
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3. Bengals' Defense Records 3-plus Sacks

Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati Bengals left defensive end and Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons quarterback
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The Titans' offensive line has struggled early on in the season, allowing six sacks through two games. The Bengals, who have recorded five sacks on the season, should be able to bring Locker down at least three times on Sunday. Defensive end Carlos Dunlap can make a big impact; he has recorded two sacks on the season and could easily pick up one or two more against "The Blind Side" star Michael Oher, who has been a liability in pass protection.

2. Andy Dalton Throws First Interception

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
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2. Andy Dalton Throws First Interception

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
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The Bengals have somehow gone two straight weeks without turning the ball over or allowing a sack. They are the first team to accomplish this since the the 2006 Chargers, who finished 14-2. Andy Dalton, who has played solid football, has to throw an interception eventually, and he will throw his first on Sunday against a Tennessee secondary that has played surprisingly well.

1. Bengals Record 250-plus Rushing Yards

Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals running back
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1. Bengals Record 250-plus Rushing Yards

Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals running back
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Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill have played incredibly so far in 2014; the only question is, which running back is better? Bernard offers more upside in the passing attack, but Hill has been ferocious running the ball down opposing defenses' throats. Giovani Bernard leads the Bengals in rushing and receiving with 130-plus yards on the ground and in the air. With Bernard and Hill, the Bengals will manhandle the Titans in the running game.

Connor Howe is a Cincinnati Bengals writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @CHoweSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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