Joe Burrow sets franchise record with 3 more TD passes as Bengals beat Titans 37-27

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Joe Burrow knows the Cincinnati Bengals' playoff hopes are slender at best at the bottom of the AFC's bubble teams.

He still wants Cincinnati to play better no matter how this season ends.

Burrow threw for 271 yards with three TDs for 36, topping his franchise mark of 35 set in 2022, as the Bengals improved their faint playoff hopes by thumping the Tennessee Titans 37-27 on Sunday. TV cameras picked up a frustrated Burrow talking with coach Zac Taylor after the team's last touchdown of the game.

“We know the chances are very slim," Burrow said. "What I’m focused on right now is playing as good as we can play myself, playing up to my standard. That’s why I was so frustrated because I didn’t feel like we did that today.”

The Bengals (6-8) notched the 400th regular-season win in franchise history. They still need to win out to extend their streak of winning seasons to four straight no matter where they wind up in the AFC playoff chase.

Starting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins was out. They lost end Sam Hubbard to an injured knee after his 2-yard TD catch. Hubbard became the first Bengals defensive player to score on a run or pass since safety Bobby Hunt on Oct. 6, 1968, in the franchise's first season, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

It didn't matter as the Bengals turned six turnovers into 24 straight points capped by Geno Stone's 39-yard pick-6 in the third. The Bengals missed out on more points with a 61-yard fumble return for a TD except Jordan Battle fumbled just before crossing the goal line for a touchback in the third quarter.

That doesn't include the 14 penalties for 113 yards.

“Unacceptable but really happy with the way the (defense) got the turnovers," Taylor said. (Six) turnovers. Three of them in the second half was huge for us ... It was a strange game that way."

The Titans (3-11) benched Will Levis after his NFL-high fourth pick-6 this season and fourth turnover of the game. Mason Rudolph looked ready to lead a rally until he was picked off by Josh Newton.

Tennessee lost its third straight and dropped to 1-6 at home in coach Brian Callahan's debut season and first game against his old boss with the Bengals in Taylor.

Callahan said Burrow did Burrow things and was disappointed at his Titans hurting themselves. They also had 12 penalties for 110 yards.

“If you can’t stop them on third down and you turn the ball over six times, it’s going to be tough to win,” Callahan said.

Cincinnati played without left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and Cody Ford was a late scratch because of an illness. The Bengals started Devin Cochran, a rookie with one offensive snap in five appearances before Sunday. Even giving him help, he gave up pressure that led to the first of Burrow's two interceptions.

The Bengals also had four turnovers. The teams combined for the NFL's first 10-turnover game since Week 2 of 2007 when the Lions and Vikings each had five in Detroit's overtime win.

Tennessee led 14-7 at the end of the first after opening with back-to-back TD drives for the first time since Week 4 of the 2022 season. Tony Pollard ran for a 3-yard TD. On the next drive, Tyjae Spears went over the top after his first would-be TD was ruled short.

Burrow opened the game with a 6-yard TD pass to Chase Brown and that TD pass to Hubbard. The Bengals took the lead for good after Cam Taylor-Britt picked off Levis, and Burrow hit Tee Higgins with a 38-yard TD pass for a 21-14 edge.

That gave Burrow his latest franchise TD mark, which he celebrated while on his back.

“I was just hoping it got there,” Burrow said.

Chase, who came in leading the NFL this season in receptions and yards receiving, finished with nine catches for 94 yards.

He became the fifth player in NFL history with at least 100 receptions, 1,400 receiving yards and 15 TD catches in a season. He joined Pro Football Hall of Famers Marvin Harrison (2001), Randy Moss (2003) and Jerry Rice (1995) as well as Cooper Kupp (2021).

With his three TDs, Burrow became the fifth NFL player with at least three TD passes in six straight games. The only quarterbacks with more are Tom Brady (10 straight in 2007), Andrew Luck (eight in 2018), Peyton Manning (eight in 2004) and Dan Marino (seven in 1986-87).

Hubbard was ruled out late in the first half after that TD catch with an injured right knee. Burrow tracked down the ball for his first NFL TD reception.

Pollard, who came into this game questionable with an injured ankle, aggravated the ankle. He returned in the second quarter. LB Kenneth Murray Jr. aggravated his hamstring and was questionable. T’Vondre Sweat hurt a shoulder but returned. Luke Gifford left in the second quarter with a concussion.

The Bengals return home to host Cleveland, while the Titans start a two-game road swing at Indianapolis.

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) looks on from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tennessee Titans fans react next to Cincinnati Bengals fans, at left, in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) throws a pass while being pressured by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai, left, and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr., right, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (2) scores a touchdown over the Cincinnati Bengals defense during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) reacts in the endzone after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat (93) runs with the ball after recovering a Cincinnati Bengals fumble during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches a touchdown pass as Tennessee Titans cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (13) and cornerback Daryl Worley, right, defend during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) is flipped into the air by Tennessee Titans cornerback Daryl Worley (35) as safety Amani Hooker (37) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) catches a touchdown pass over Tennessee Titans linebacker James Williams during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers gave the New York Jets' next general manager and head coach something to ponder with a glimpse into the past — and potentially the future.

Adams caught nine passes from Rodgers for 198 yards and two touchdowns — all in the second half — and the Jets rallied to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 32-25 to end a four-game skid Sunday.

Adams hauled in a 71-yard TD pass with 3:24 remaining and a 41-yarder that set up Breece Hall's 1-yard plunge with 1:05 to play. In between, he made a circus catch along the sideline for a first down.

It was vintage Adams, who became the 12th player in NFL history with 100 receiving touchdowns. And vintage Rodgers, who threw for 289 yards and three scores as the Jets (4-10) topped 30 points for the first time this season. The 41-year-old quarterback also led New York with 45 yards rushing.

“Historic, magical," Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said. "To get his 100th TD ... I feel honored to have seen it and to have been here for it. It was an amazing moment for those two guys. Obviously, a lot of ball between them and a lot of touchdowns. So, for them to get that was special.”

No one would be totally surprised to see the Jets run it back with Rodgers and Adams, even though the former Green Bay teammates are scheduled to count nearly $52 million against the Jets’ salary cap in 2025.

After all, they showed their potential together against the Jags.

“Oh yeah, today was one of those days in the second half," Adams said. “Definitely felt very, very similar to the way we used to get it rolling."

Adams' 100th TD grab came on a 1-yard fade route in the third quarter. No. 101 was even more impressive. He streaked down the middle of the field, running past linebacker Devin Lloyd and seeing no safety help from Darnell Savage until it was too late.

Adams was completely uncovered in the flat for the 41-yarder and then tackled at the 1. The Jets probably should have taken a knee from there, forced Jacksonville to use its remaining timeouts and kicked a short field goal to win it. But Hall's plunge gave the Jaguars (3-11) a chance late.

“I wanted to be aggressive, and I wanted the points,” Ulbrich said. "I wanted to put the nail in the coffin at the end.”

Mac Jones drove Jacksonville into Jets territory before throwing his second interception of the day. Sauce Gardner's first pick of the season essentially ended the game.

Jones completed 31 of 46 passes for 294 yards, with two touchdowns to rookie Brian Thomas Jr. and two interceptions. Thomas finished with 10 catches for 105 yards. Tight end Brenton Strange caught 11 passes for 73 yards.

Jones looked as though he would improve to 6-0 as a starter against the Jets, and the Jaguars looked like they would win consecutive games for the first time in 13 months. But Rodgers and Adams had other thoughts.

The duo has now connected 81 times for touchdowns, including the playoffs, for the fourth most by a QB-WR duo in NFL history. They are one shy of Miami’s Dan Marino and Mark Clayton.

“Aaron is a great quarterback. He’s a Hall of Fame quarterback,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said. “They made plays that we didn’t make, and that part’s unfortunate. It comes down to just a couple plays in your season or your game or whatever could be a little bit different.”

Both teams got off to fast starts — a rarity this season.

The Jaguars scored a touchdown on their opening drive for the first time in 19 games. It had been the longest drought in the NFL. The Jets answered with their first opening-driving touchdown of the season. Rodgers connected with Garrett Wilson for a 22-yarder after the Jaguars left him wide open down the middle.

Thomas, Jacksonville's first-round draft pick, broke two single-season team rookie receiving records that he had been chasing for weeks. He topped Justin Blackmon’s franchise mark of 865 yards receiving (2012) and hauled in his seventh TD catch, snapping a tie with Allen Hurns (2014).

Jaguars defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter, a 30-year-old veteran and a 300-pound defender, celebrated his third-quarter sack of Rodgers with an impressive backflip. Ledbetter’s second sack of the season resulted in a 14-yard loss and forced the Jets to settle for a field goal.

Jets safety Jalen Mills (chest), safety Tony Adams (facial lacerations), linebacker Jamien Sherwood (evaluated for a concussion), running back Braelon Allen (back) and nickel cornerback Michael Carter (back) left the game. Adams, Sherwood and Allen returned.

Jets: host the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday.

Jaguars: play at the Las Vegas Raiders next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) dives past Jacksonville Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) catches a 1-yard touchdown pass in front of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) runs past New York Jets safety Tony Adams (22) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, left, gets away from Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andre Cisco after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is hit by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) after a sucessful two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) is tripped up by New York Jets defensive end Solomon Thomas (94) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) celebrates his touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) scores on a 1-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) scores against the Jacksonville Jaguars on a 1-yard run during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A New York Jets fan reacts to a missed field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) scores ahead of Jacksonville Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) on a 71-yard touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) gets between Jacksonville Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) and linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) tomscore on a 71-yard touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)