Tennessee Titans spoil chance to host AFC Championship Game with 19-16 loss to Cincinnati Bengals - Tennessee Titans Blog- ESPN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A season of peaks and valleys ended on a low point for the Tennessee Titans when they suffered a disheartening 19-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at home in the divisional round of the playoffs.

The top-seeded Titans had dreams of hosting the AFC Championship Game, but the Bengals and quarterback Joe Burrow had other plans. Burrow overcame constant harassment from the Titans' defensive front, which sacked him nine times. He managed to complete 28 of 37 pass attempts for 348 yards and no touchdowns.

Ryan Tannehill's three interceptions didn't help. Tannehill was picked off on the opening play and later in the third quarter after a 45-yard run by D'Onta Foreman had Tennessee in scoring position. His final interception came with 20 seconds left in the game, giving the Bengals the ball at their 47-yard line.

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Burrow connected with Ja'Marr Chase for a 19-yard gain to set up the game-winning 52-yard field goal by Evan McPherson.

The loss wasted the nine-sack effort from the Titans' defense. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the sack total tied the previous playoff record held by four teams: Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs (1966), San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears (1984), Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets (1986) and Chiefs vs. Houston Oilers (1993).

The loss to the Bengals is the Titans' third consecutive postseason defeat at Nissan Stadium. The Baltimore Ravens came to Nashville last season and beat Tennessee 20-13.

The Titans are now 2-3 in the postseason with Mike Vrabel as their coach. Tennessee finished with a 12-5 record and the top seed in the AFC