5 Bold predictions for Cleveland Browns vs. the Titans
By Greg Newland
4. The secondary steps up
It seems like the Browns defense will once again be without their best cornerback in Ward for their biggest test of the season. While Kevin Johnson has done a nice job stepping in, Ward was playing at a pro-bowl level before his calf injury.
Fingers crossed Ward can play but look for the Browns secondary to step up without him. With such a strong running game from the Titans, defensive coordinator Joe Woods will be forced to play a lot of man coverage with a loaded box.
If the Browns choose to sit in zone coverage with only seven in the box, the Titans may run for 300 yards and not even have to throw the football. The good news, Woods has shown willingness to tighten up the box to stop the run in the last few weeks.
After being picked on all year, look for Andrew Sendejo to make a play for the defense. The Titans will go after him early and look for him to come up with a turnover to spark the entire team early in a game they must find a way to win.
Johnson and Terrance Mitchell must be able to play tight coverage as well as Titans receiver A.J. Brown is becoming a top target in the entire league. Brown has the body of a tight end and the speed of a third-down running back which makes him a matchup nightmare. However, everyone comes up big and holds this potent Titans offense to a less than stellar day in the passing game.