Cleveland Browns seek revenge against Titans in Tennessee
By Josh Brown
3. Titan Defense
The Titan defense is not what it was last season, especially in the secondary. While the ranking (24th in the NFL) was not much better than where they are now (26th in the NFL). The big thing is that all of last year, they gave up 25 touchdowns, putting them in the middle of the pack. After just 11 games, they have given up 23, which is tied for second-worst in the NFL. Baker Mayfield should be able to make some plays Sunday.
The front four have not helped much either, per Pro Football Reference. The Titans have generated pressure on 21.8 percent of passing plays, which is 23rd in the NFL, and have a quarterback knockdown rate of 4.5%, which is the lowest in the NFL. They are tied with the Cleveland Browns for the tenth highest hurry rate in the NFL at 10.7 percent and have 43 sacks on the year. They can wreak havoc on occasion. The fact that both Vic Beasley and Jadeveon Clowney have been free agent busts certainly has not helped.
Not only has the secondary struggled compared to last season, but the run game has not been as stout as it was either. In 2019 the Titans gave up 108.8 yards per game, ranking 12th in the NFL, and gave up 14 touchdowns. This season they are giving up 115.5 a game and have already given up 12 touchdowns. While the Titans may not be giving up a ton more yards than last year overall, they are giving up touchdowns much more frequently. That has taken a 12th ranked scoring defense from a year ago down to 20th this year at 25.9 points given up per game.
The Titans have more kinks in their armor, and the Browns have an established offensive identity. The outcome Sunday should be much closer than the debacle that took place last season.