Titans Running Back Tony Pollard Catches Fire With Five Touchdowns in Two Games
Despite a strong recent offensive surge from Tony Pollard, the Tennessee Titans fell 43-36 in overtime to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard is currently enjoying a notable hot streak on the gridiron, having rushed for 246 yards and five touchdowns over his last two games. Pollard put up a strong performance on Sunday, carrying the ball 21 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns, alongside three catches for 20 yards, in a narrow 43-36 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Pollard kicked off his scoring output in Sunday's matchup with a 40-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, followed by a one-yard rushing score in the third quarter. This recent productivity brings his season total to six rushing touchdowns, surpassing his output of five scores from each of his previous two regular seasons with Tennessee. After scoring only once in the first six games of the year, Pollard has quickly established himself as a central weapon in the Titans offense.
Despite Pollard's efforts, the Titans dropped to a 1-7 record on the season after falling to the Bengals in overtime. Cincinnati secured the victory when quarterback Joe Burrow scrambled untouched for a nine-yard score in the extra period, capping off a game where Burrow threw five touchdown passes and completed 33 of 48 passes for 462 yards.
The contest featured multiple lead changes, particularly in a dramatic fourth quarter that included a tie score. Tennessee briefly took a 36-29 lead late in regulation after quarterback Cam Ward connected with Wan'Dale Robinson for a 15-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful two-point conversion catch by Gunnar Helm. However, Cincinnati responded with a game-tying 18-yard touchdown pass from Burrow to Tee Higgins with just 1,17 remaining on the clock to force overtime.
The matchup also featured a unique defensive sequence involving Pollard in the third quarter. Demetrius Knight Jr. and Dexter Lawrence tackled Pollard in the Tennessee end zone for a safety, breaking a 21-21 tie and giving the Bengals a brief 23-21 advantage with 46 seconds remaining in the period.
Looking ahead, Pollard and the Titans face a challenging path forward as they attempt to maintain his recent momentum. Following their upcoming Week 9 bye, the team will return to action in a tough Week 10 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars and their league-best run defense on November 15.
Meanwhile, Pollard's recent performances and the Titans' ongoing roster adjustments—such as the recent trade of standout pass rusher Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears—have sparked discussions across the league regarding potential player movement. As teams evaluate their rosters ahead of upcoming deadlines, analysts have even floated the running back's name in discussions regarding potential trade targets for other franchises seeking offensive upgrades.