The Cleveland Browns travel to Nissan Stadium on Sunday to face the Tennessee Titans in a Week 7 matchup that pits the AFC North’s surprise 4-2 club against a Titans team still searching for consistency at 1-5. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on CBS. The Browns vs Titans Week 7 game marks the first time this season Cleveland has entered a game as the favorite, according to Yahoo Sports.
Cleveland sits atop the AFC North on a tiebreaker after beating Baltimore last week, while Tennessee snapped a four-game skid with a win over Indianapolis. Both teams carry flaws into Nashville that make this one harder to read than the records alone suggest.
Cleveland Browns Vs Tennessee Titans Game Information
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 25
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
- TV: CBS
Can The Browns Offense Do Enough Against A Reeling Titans Defense
Cleveland averages just 17.7 points per game, a mark tied for 28th in the league, according to Yahoo Sports. Deshaun Watson has completed 111 of 174 passes for 1,174 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions this season, but he has been sacked a league-high 24 times. Quinshon Judkins leads the ground game with 221 yards on 73 carries, and Denzel Boston paces the receiving corps with 345 yards and three touchdowns on 17 catches.
The Browns are one of just five teams in the last 20 seasons to win at least four of their first six games while averaging fewer than 18 points per game, per Yahoo Sports. That low-scoring formula has worked because Cleveland’s defense has allowed only 20.3 points per game and held three of its last four opponents to 18 points or fewer, according to Bleacher Report.
What Is The Status Of The Titans Secondary After The Taylor Shakeup
Tennessee made cornerback Alontae Taylor a healthy inactive against Indianapolis last week, a coach’s decision rather than an injury designation, according to ESPN. Taylor had played 99.7% of defensive snaps through the Titans’ first five games and signed a three-year, $58 million contract with $42 million guaranteed in March, finishing with 19 tackles and one sack before being benched.
Josh Williams, who signed a two-year, $8 million deal in March, is expected to start in Taylor’s place after being activated from injured reserve, per ESPN. Cornerback Isaiah Oliver received a game-day elevation from the practice squad, and the group has produced only two interceptions all season with zero pass breakups from its cornerbacks. Tennessee also signed Cor’Dale Flott to a three-year, $45 million contract in an effort to overhaul the secondary.
Who Is Banged Up Heading Into Sunday
Cleveland listed 13 players on its Wednesday injury report, including linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who is dealing with an ankle issue, according to Yahoo Sports. Linebacker Quincy Williams (head/neck), safety Grant Delpit (concussion) and receiver Denzel Boston (foot) are all listed as questionable. Running back Dylan Sampson remains on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Tennessee is dealing with its own absences. Starting safety Kevin Winston Jr. will be out with a quad injury, per ESPN, and safety Tony Adams is questionable with an ankle issue. Starting defensive tackle Jordan Elliott did not travel with the team after missing Friday’s practice for personal reasons. Receiver Calvin Ridley is questionable with leg and hip injuries, and linebacker Dorian Mausi remains on injured reserve.
Browns Vs Titans By The Numbers
- Points per game: Browns 17.7, Titans 14.0
- Passing yards per game: Browns 195.7, Titans 166.3
- Rushing yards per game: Browns 94.0, Titans 82.8
- Total yards per game: Browns 289.7, Titans 249.2
- Third-down conversion rate: Browns 30.77%, Titans 34.78%
- Red zone scoring percentage: Browns 84.62%, Titans 80.00%
- Turnover differential: Browns 0, Titans -3
- Sacks allowed (season): Browns 24, Titans 10
- Record: Browns 4-2, Titans 1-5
Key Matchup: Jeffery Simmons And The Titans Front Vs. Watson’s Protection
Tennessee’s defensive line, led by Jeffery Simmons, faces a Browns offensive line that has already surrendered a league-high 24 sacks of Watson this season. The Titans recorded six sacks in their Week 6 win over Indianapolis, showing their pass rush can generate pressure in bunches. A Yahoo Sports analyst framed the matchup bluntly, writing, “Give me the second-year passer with a strong dose of rookie Carnell Tate,” pointing to the contrast between Watson’s protection issues and Tennessee’s young skill pieces.
Cam Ward has topped 200 passing yards in only one game this season, completing 109 of 177 attempts for 998 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions. If the Titans front can replicate its Week 6 pressure numbers, it could force the kind of mistakes that have plagued Watson all year.
Players To Watch
Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns
Watson has thrown for 1,174 yards and seven touchdowns against two interceptions, but his sack total remains the highest among NFL quarterbacks. How he handles Tennessee’s pass rush, which notched six sacks last week, will shape Cleveland’s offensive output.
Carnell Tate, WR, Titans
The rookie leads Tennessee’s receiving corps with 29 catches for 344 yards and a touchdown. With Calvin Ridley’s health in question, Tate’s role in the passing game could grow further.
Josh Williams, CB, Titans
Williams is projected to step into the starting lineup after Taylor’s benching and his own activation from injured reserve, giving him a significant workload against a Browns passing attack looking to find rhythm downfield.
What To Watch
Three of the four AFC North teams sit at 4-2 entering Week 7, with Cincinnati at 3-2 following its bye, according to Bleacher Report. Cleveland remains unbeaten in divisional play, with both wins coming by three points, a trend that underscores how close its season has been despite the offense’s modest scoring average. Tennessee is trying to build off the confidence its defense and special teams units found in Indianapolis, per Yahoo Sports, as the Titans look for their second straight win.
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