After snapping an eight-game losing streak dating back to 2022 last week, the Tennessee Titans will look to get a winning streak going in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns.
In order to do so, the Titans will have to win in the always hostile Cleveland Browns Stadium against a defense that has been pretty good so far this season.
Buy Titans TicketsBut the Browns have a tall task at hand in their own right, as the Titans’ defense has been good, also, and is set to get back two starters in the secondary.
We’ll dive deeper into both defenses, as well as the two embattled quarterbacks under center as we take a look at the Titans’ reasons for optimism and concern going into Week 3.
Optimism: Returns of Amani Hooker, Kristian Fulton
The Titans’ secondary held its own in Week 2 despite not having the services of two starters in safety Amani Hooker and No. 1 cornerback Kristian Fulton.
But Tennessee’s unit should be back to full strength in Week 3 after both were able to practice and log full sessions this week. Hooker still has to be cleared from the concussion protocol as of this writing, but all signs are pointing to that happening before Sunday.
Concern: Titans' offensive line
The Titans’ offensive line took a step back last week after giving up a season-high five sacks to the Chargers. Even in a better showing in Week 1, the unit was still inconsistent.
The Titans will once again be without arguably their best offensive lineman in rookie Peter Skoronski, who is still recovering from an appendectomy. The Titans deployed Xavier Newman in his place, but the 2022 UDFA was pulled after a miserable first quarter and was replaced by Dillon Radunz.
Radunz, who allowed three pressures but no sacks in his first game back from a torn ACL, should get the start this week and hopefully he improves the further removed he is from the injury.
But Radunz isn’t the only concern on the left side, as left tackle Andre Dillard has been the team’s weakest link thus far — and things won’t get any easier with star edge rusher Myles Garrett set to get plenty of cracks at him.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill can help his line out by getting rid of the ball faster, something that remains an issue with the veteran signal-caller.
While much of the focus is rightly on pass protection, run-blocking hasn’t been great, either. Tennessee is averaging just 4.4 yards per carry, with Derrick Henry gaining just 3.6 yards per tote.
Optimism: Deshaun Watson
With an elite run defense that automatically shuts down opposing backs, the Titans’ biggest concern on defense is against the pass, where Tennessee has allowed 300-yard passing games to both quarterbacks they’ve faced in 2023.
Even with Fulton and Hooker in the lineup in Week 1, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr still surpassed 300 yards, although Fulton missed a chunk of the game due to his hamstring injury.
Their expected returns are no doubt great news, but what’s also promising is the fact that Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been a shell of the signal-caller he was with the Houston Texans since going to Cleveland.
Over eight games with the Browns, Watson has completed 57.3 percent of his passes for 1,491 yards and nine scores to seven interceptions. He’s averaging just 186.4 passing yards per contest and has yet to throw for 300 yards in a game
Another blemish on Watson’s record with the Browns is he tends to hold on to the ball for too long, as evidenced by Cleveland owning the third-best pass-block win rate but being tied for fifth in sacks allowed.
If Watson holds the ball for too long in this one, Tennessee’s pass-rush should feast. Adding to the Browns’ issues, they’re without starting right tackle Jack Conklin, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1.
Concern: Cleveland's defense
We’ve already mentioned the fact that Tennessee has to deal with a star pass-rusher in Garrett, who is due for a big game after tallying just one sack so far, but Cleveland’s defense as a whole has been stingy, to say the least.
The Browns currently rank tied for second against the pass (133.5 passing yards allowed per game) and tied for fourth in run defense (65 yards allowed per game) with the Titans.
Sure, Cleveland gave up 26 points to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2, but 14 of those points were defensive touchdowns, and another seven came on one play (a 71-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver George Pickens).
Optimism: Titans' defense
With it looking like points are going to be hard to come by for the Titans’ offense on the road against a good Browns defense, the good news is the Titans are equipped to keep Cleveland in check, also.
Even with the struggles of the pass defense, Tennessee is still only giving up 20 points per game. Adding to that, the Browns’ identity is to run the football, but they no longer have Nick Chubb and Tennessee’s run defense has been historically good, anyway, so it really doesn’t matter who the back is.
Tennessee’s pass-rush can be relentless with so many talented players on the defensive front, and that’s bad news for a Browns offense that is tied for the fifth-most sacks allowed, partly because Watson holds the ball too long.
If Watson does that in Week 3, he’s going to be eating a lot of grass.
Concern: Ryan Tannehill
While we’re much more optimistic about Tannehill after last week, it’s hard to proclaim him back just yet after one good game. Adding to that, this is the kind of matchup that could lead to disastrous results for the veteran.
If Cleveland’s elite run defense holds serve, Tannehill won’t have the benefit of much help on the ground, which will impact the play-action game, where Tannehill is normally at his best.
Making matters worse, the Browns sport an elite pass defense that might not give Tennessee receivers much room, and a front led by Garrett that is capable of winning against the Titans’ inconsistent offensive line.
All of these things can lead to forced throws from Tannehill, and we know what that usually results in: turnovers.
Tennessee’s defense will hold up its end of the bargain, but Tannehill cannot make its job harder by setting the Browns up with short fields off turnovers to give Cleveland easy points.
Further, Tannehill and Co. must avoid three-and-outs that will lead to a tired and less effective defense. Tennessee is currently tied for the eighth-highest three-and-out rate in the NFL.
