Lions secondary earns major praise from Bengals foe ahead of Week 5
Jake Browning is not having a fun time as of late.
The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback has stepped into a tough situation, coming on in relief of star quarterback Joe Burrow who is down for three months with turf toe. Browning, a 29 year old veteran, has been struggling to spark a Bengals offense that could've been, on paper, one of the most electric in the NFL in 2025.
Instead, they're one of the worst.
Ranked 32nd in total offense and 30th in passing headed into their bout with the Lions, the Bengals are relying heavily on Browning to piece something worth getting excited about together against a tight Detroit secondary. That's something he's extremely aware of, especially given the flowers he gave the Lions defense ahead of the game on Sunday.
Browning praises Lions secondary ahead of Week 5
Lions team reporter Tim Twentyman shared that Browning told reporters this week that the Lions' secondary has impressed him beyond belief, partially indicating some fear headed into the game on Browning's part.
"Asked what he's seen from Detroit's defense on tape this week, Browning said one of the things that really stands out is how the Lions secondary really comes up and challenges at the line of scrimmage in the pass game. He talked about the front seven for the Lions being very good and the defensive backs being 'scrappy as hell.' He called out cornerback Amik Robertson in particular in that regard."
Browning is currently posting a 42.4 QBR along with three touchdowns, five interceptions, and 506 passing yards in three games played so far for Cincinnati. The same issues that were plaguing the Bengals before Burrow's injury continue to plague Browning - their offensive line just completely struggling to contain any pass rush.
But, to Browning's point, the Lions' secondary could pose even more problems for a turnover prone Browning, as players like Robertson and Brian Branch often being at the scene of a defended pass or a turnover because of how closely they defend at the line of scrimmage.
Their ability to turn this game on its head early is going to be critical to ensuring this doesn't end up a trap game for Detroit, and Browning is clearly beyond aware of that. Could Detroit's lack of depth at cornerback impact this effectiveness?
We have to wait and see, but knowing how strongly the next man up mentality defines their defense, it doesn't seem like Browning is about to catch a break.
Titans activate Tyjae Spears for Week 5 vs. Cardinals
Titans on track to get running back Tyjae Spears back from ankle injury absence in Week 5 matchup with Cardinals
The Tennessee Titans' offense has been a disaster through four games. However, ahead of Week 5, the Titans will receive a major boost for their upcoming matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, with running back Tyjae Spears set to return from injury.
Spears spent the first four games on injured reserve due to an ankle injury he suffered in the preseason. After he missed the mandatory four games, the Titans have activated the running back off injured reserve for Week 5, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.
The Titans' run game has been hot-and-cold thus far, with Tony Pollard alternating good and bad games through the first month. Pollard has 261 rushing yards on just 3.8 yards per carry after four games.
Regardless, the Titans' offense will take anything it can get. Spears was a significant part of the game plan in his final three games of the 2024 season, playing over 55 percent of the offensive snaps in each while averaging 87 scrimmage yards.
Tennessee will particularly love to have Spears back if Calvin Ridley is forced to miss Week 5. Ridley remains questionable for the game, despite returning to practice on Friday.
While Spears will make his season debut in Week 5, he will likely do so on a pitch count. Skill players typically take time to ramp up their activity, and lower leg injuries are notoriously fickle for running backs.
Titans expect Tyjae Spears back in Week 5
After four games, the Titans are one of just three teams that remain winless. Tennessee had a chance to rebound against another struggling team, the Houston Texans, in Week 4, but instead suffered its worst loss of the year.
The Titans' early-season schedule has been unforgiving, and it continues in Week 5. Tennessee enters the second leg of a three-game road trip on Sunday, traveling west to face the Arizona Cardinals in State Farm Stadium.
Arizona enters the game with a 2-2 record, having won its first two matchups but lost its last two. The Cardinals are coming off a tough 23-20 prime-time loss to the Seattle Seahawks, which has given them additional momentum for the week.
