Keys to the Game: How Titans Can Tame Bengals on the Road

The Tennessee Titans have a tough road matchup in their first game since the Jeffery Simmons trade.

They have to face the Cincinnati Bengals on the road at Paycor Stadium in Week 8. Joe Burrow and the Bengals are 4-2 after a comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens last weekend.

The Titans are 1-6 after blowing a 14-0 first-quarter lead to the Cleveland Browns . The Browns beat the Titans in a heartbreaker, 27-24, after a game-winning field goal from Andre Szmyt.

The Titans were able to get their first win of the year on the road back in Week 6, but the Bengals are a much better team than the Indianapolis Colts.

It's going to be hard to pull off the upset without Simmons on the Titans' sideline. Here are my three keys to a road win for Tennessee:

The Bengals have just two losses this season.

The one similarity in these two losses is that the Bengals turned the ball over. Burrow threw two interceptions in the 22-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Pittsburgh Steelers recovered two fumbles in their 30-27 win over the Bengals earlier in the year.

One way that the Titans can help themselves out with this is by putting pressure on Burrow.

Losing Simmons was a big blow to the defense; there's no denying that.

Unlike last year, the Titans still have players who can get after the quarterback. Jacob Martin and Jermaine Johnson each have over three sacks this season.

Whether Robert Saleh has to get creative with his blitz packages or not, if the Titans can win the turnover battle, they can win the game.

Tony Pollard had an awesome game against the Browns.

He helped keep the Titans' offense moving, even in the fourth quarter when they were in search of a late touchdown. The Titans prioritized establishing the running game, and it paid off, even if they didn't leave with a win.

The things you have to do on the road to expect a win are run the football well and bring your defense.

Getting Pollard his touches should be priority No. 1 for the Titans, especially with Carnell Tate out for the game.

It's going to be tough to pass the football without Tate. The running game can help with that.

Another thing that the Bengals doing very well is convert on third downs.

They lead the league in conversion rate, first downs per pass, quarterback accuracy and touchdown rate on third down.

The Titans do not need to do the Bengals any favors by letting them get in manageable third-down situations. Keeping Burrow and the offense backed up on third down is a good recipe for success.

If the Titans do these three things, they'll have a good shot at a road win against the Bengals. Kickoff is set for noon CT on CBS.