Joe Burrow threw three interceptions and engineered five touchdown drives, leading the Cincinnati Bengals to a wild 43-36 overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans on November 1, 2026, at Paycor Stadium, delivering the first-ever 43-36 final score in NFL history.
The Cincinnati Bengals found themselves staring down a familiar, uncomfortable script on Sunday afternoon. Trailing by a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Paycor Stadium, the franchise faced the ghosts of collapses past. Quarterback Joe Burrow acknowledged the weight of those prior struggles after the game, noting that his team would have dropped such a contest in past years.
We lose that game for the last three years.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
This time, however, the script changed. The 5-2 Bengals clawed their way back to extend their winning streak to three games, though the path there tested every ounce of the roster’s resolve. The victory brought the Bengals to a 5-2 record for the first time since 2021.
Joe Burrow’s Record-Breaking Stats and Amari Hooker’s Defensive Stand
Burrow turned in a statistical masterpiece wrapped in chaos. He completed 33 of 48 passes for 462 yards, marking his second 400-yard game of the season and the ninth of his career.
He gave me opportunities.
Amari Hooker, Tennessee Titans safety
Hooker’s milestone marked the first three-interception game by a Titans player since Kevin Byard achieved the feat at Cleveland. In addition, Jordan Whitehead of the New York Jets against Buffalo in Week 1 of the 2023 season was the last player before Hooker to intercept three passes in a single NFL matchup. Despite the turnovers, Burrow’s weapons kept the offense churning. Collecting 11 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown was Ja’Marr Chase, while Tee Higgins erupted for 10 receptions, 155 yards, and two scores.
Cam Ward and Tony Pollard Push the Titans to the Brink
The Titans arrived in Cincinnati playing for the first time without defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons since he was traded to the Chicago Bears, while also missing the inactive Carnell Tate and Tyjae Spears. Despite these absences, the Titans pushed the contest to overtime. Quarterback Cam Ward delivered his best day as a professional, completing 26 of 40 passing attempts for 304 yards and two touchdowns, posting a 104.6 passer rating.
Photo: A to Z Sports
Running back Tony Pollard wreaked havoc on the ground, carrying the ball 21 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns, good for a season-high 5.6 yards per carry.
Dexter Lawrence and Boye Mafe Seal the Overtime Thriller
I looked at him and told him he was legendary and go be legendary.
Earlier in the contest, the Bengals picked up a safety in the third quarter when Lawrence and Demetrius Knight Jr. tackled Pollard in the end zone, pushing the score to 23-21.
In overtime, the Bengals received the ball first and drove 70 yards in five plays. Burrow finished the possession himself with a 9-yard rushing touchdown. The Cincinnati defense subsequently forced a turnover on downs to seal the fifth victory of the season. Following the grueling matchup, the Titans enter their bye week before hosting Jacksonville on November 16, while the Bengals prepare to face the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid next Sunday.
Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.
