Draft speak is high of thoughts for the Tennessee Titans as they contact down in Cleveland with a 1-17 report of their previous 18 video games and with an energetic seven-game dropping streak.
Even at 3-9, the Cleveland Browns enter the Sunday go to from the Titans mathematically eligible for the AFC playoffs. Nevertheless, the Browns are solely 3-15 throughout the identical stretch, a revolving door of losses that also hasn’t netted a franchise quarterback.
Whereas Tennessee (1-11) can drag Cleveland into the ranks of the eradicated with a victory, the Titans ought to know they must befuddle Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders on their very own. The rookie, one in all two quarterbacks chosen by the Browns within the 2025 draft, has pledged to remain disciplined throughout his third profession begin.
“Generally, I search for the massive play, you already know? And I try this after I really feel like I am urgent,” Sanders stated, “after I really feel like we have to get a spark. … In order that’s one thing I overview inside myself, and I do know in these conditions, I can not try this at sure occasions.”
Cleveland’s fifth-round choose in April, Sanders has handed for a landing in every of his first two begins, a street victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and a house loss to San Francisco in Week 13. After beginning 8-for-11 in opposition to the 49ers, together with a 34-yard landing toss to Harold Fannin Jr. that sparked the Browns to a second-quarter lead, he led an assault that managed simply 76 yards within the closing two quarters.
Sanders admitted he nonetheless is working to construct belief together with his vast receivers as he navigates what’s “not a standard scenario” — becoming a member of the lineup at midseason. So far, operating again Dylan Sampson has the very best receiving output for the Browns throughout Sanders’ time as starter: 59 yards in opposition to Las Vegas.
If the 2026 NFL Draft order have been set utilizing the present standings, the Titans would maintain the highest choose once more. The New York Giants (2-11), the New Orleans Saints (2-10) and the Raiders (2-10) and are nonetheless within the operating and separate Tennessee from a stack of three-loss groups: the Browns, Jets, Commanders and Cardinals. Arizona is the one staff to lose to the Titans this season.
Tennessee is also looking for to develop a rhythm behind a rookie QB, albeit the highest general choice in April. Cam Ward led the Titans’ offense to solely a first-quarter Joey Slye area purpose final week earlier than the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars scored the ultimate 25 factors of the sport.
Ward completed 24-for-38 for 141 yards with zero touchdowns and interceptions.
The Titans had misplaced every of their earlier three video games by one rating.
“Anytime you are on the market, you are competing and making an attempt to win, and I’ve seen a number of competitiveness from our group,” Titans left guard Peter Skoronski stated. “Guys are nonetheless hungry simply to win a recreation. It has been awhile, sadly.”
The 22-point loss to the Jaguars final week was deceptive contemplating Tennessee held Jacksonville to 272 complete yards and 3-of-13 success on third downs and locked down operating lanes to the tune of 70 yards on 27 carries (2.6-yard common). A protection that has notched three sacks or extra in 5 of the previous six video games whereas limiting missed tackles has saved Tennessee afloat.
“You watch these boys hunt every day,” Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson stated. “Irrespective of the rating, irrespective of the scenario, they arrive to play.”
Browns defensive finish Myles Garrett has recorded no less than one sack in six consecutive video games to increase his career-best complete to 19, 4 sacks shy of breaking the league single-season report of twenty-two.5.
Tennessee offensive coordinator Nick Holz spoke about embracing the problem of going through Garrett and leaning on the expertise of left sort out Dan Moore Jr., who opposed the Browns for 4 seasons as a member of the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers earlier than becoming a member of the Titans in 2025.
“You all the time need to measure your self in opposition to one of the best, you already know what I imply? We’ll see how we measure up,” Holz stated. “It is going to be an incredible problem. And he is not the one good participant on their protection.”
Three of the Titans’ 4 complete wins the previous two seasons got here on the street.
Cleveland has received two in a row within the collection with Tennessee, together with a 27-3 house win in Week 3 of 2023.
–Subject Degree Media
