Cleveland Browns: 3 keys to victory against the Titans
By Sam Penix
Three keys to secure a Cleveland Browns win over the Titans
It may not be a make-or-break game for the Cleveland Browns, but this week’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans is pivotal all the same.
The 8-3 Titans lead the AFC South and even if they don’t win their division, will be one of multiple teams vying for a Wild Card spot with the Browns. Here are three things Cleveland must do in order to pull off the upset.
1. Slow down A.J. Brown and Derrick Henry
Easier said than done, right? A.J. Brown is 6-0, 225 pounds of pure muscle who might be the NFL’s best playmaker after the catch. His ability to turn a typical reception into a massive gain is impressive, especially considering he doesn’t have elite speed.
With Denzel Ward and Ronnie Harrison out, the Cleveland secondary has a tall task in front of them. It would not be a surprise to see Brown have his best game of the season, and the same goes for tight end Jonnu Smith. The Browns cannot afford to let either player run rampant, but they also can’t devote too much attention to slowing them down, because of the presence of a certain running back.
Derrick Henry doesn’t have Nick Chubb‘s vision or agility, but he’s absolutely the most difficult player in the NFL to tackle once he gets moving. He won the rushing title in 2019 and has been even better in 2020, leading the league with 1,257 ground yards through 11 games. In the season-opener last season, Henry torched the Browns for 159 total yards and two touchdowns.
Both Brown and Henry can end a game quickly. The Browns defense is bad against both the run and the pass. It’s going to take a herculean effort from the banged-up unit to keep Cleveland in the game.