Cleveland Browns stock report following a dominating Week 3 win over Titans

After their dismal performance against the Steelers on Monday Night Football, the Cleveland Browns desperately needed to generate some positive momentum. Kevin Stefanski’s team did just that against the Tennessee Titans in front of their home fans in Week 3. The Browns won a one-way traffic affair by the score of 27-3.

It's no secret that Cleveland's defense is playing dominant football right now. For the second time in three games, they didn't allow a touchdown and limited their opponent to three points. The offense held up their end of the bargain against the Titans and demonstrated an efficiency that they had yet to show so far this season.

If Sunday’s complimentary performance is any indication of what is to come, the Browns fanbase may be in store for quite a season. Here is a stock report of which players are ascending and who is facing a downturn after the Week 3 victory.

Cleveland Browns stock report following a dominating Week 3 win over Titans

Browns Stock Up: Deshaun Watson

Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson quietly had his best game since joining the Browns on Sunday. It was a slow-burn type of effort that felt like it snuck up on you. But by the time the game was over, it was apparent that Watson had taken a massive step forward in this offense.

Watson’s day started with six straight completions. While none of the throws were of the high degree of difficulty variety, it was exactly the start Watson needed to settle into the game. Short throws turned into intermediate throws and by the second half the entire field was open to Watson.

But the comfortability that Watson displayed over the course of the came might be the most encouraging aspect of his play on Sunday. Aside from one ill-advised backwards lateral, Watson displayed poise in the pocket and when he was forced to scramble, he kept his eyes up to find potential throwing windows. It was a stark contrast to how he performed under duress just a week prior.

Watson finished the day completing 27-of-33 attempts for 289 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps the most vital stat that Watson compiled was the big fat zero in the interception department. Most importantly, Watson finished his afternoon on a high note hitting Amari Cooper on a 43-yard busted coverage touchdown. Now it's up to Watson to keep this momentum going.

Browns Stock Up: Amari Cooper

There was a ton of noise surrounding the wide receiver room heading into the season and very little of it had anything to do with Amari Cooper. But then the season started, and Cooper picked up right where he left off in 2022.

Cooper is the Browns’ North Star of receivers. You could set your watch to the nine-year NFL veteran’s dependability. Cooper is going to be where he is supposed to be when he is supposed to be there.

Deshaun Watson’s early season struggles have been well documented, but the signal-caller has not had any issues when targeting Cooper. And once again, Cooper was the straw that stirred Cleveland’s drink against the Titans.

Cooper finished Sunday’s contest against the Titans with seven receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown. Those are pretty impressive statistics, but when you consider that the referees robbed Cooper of 40-plus yards and another touchdown when they inexplicably called him out of bounds, he could have put up his best statistical day as a member of the Browns.

In the absence of Nick Chubb, due to a season-ending injury, Cleveland needs players to step up on the offensive side of the ball. Cooper is certainly a weapon that the Browns can count on performing to the best of his abilities in high-leverage moments.

Browns Stock Up: Jim Schwartz

The best coaches in the NFL aren’t just able to implement their schemes and teach the X’s and O’s, they are able to get their units to embody the very elements of their coaching philosophies. Case in point, the Browns' defense has taken on the attitude and demeanor of their defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

Schwartz had his defensive unit absolutely flying around like mad men on Sunday against the Titans. The first order of business was to neutralize Tennessee’s formidable running game. Check. The Browns defense held Derrick Henry to only 20 yards on 11 carries.

Second order of business was to get Tennessee behind the sticks and get them off the field on third downs. Check. The Browns were able force the Titans to a fourth down on 10 of 12 attempts.

Final order of business for Schwartz and company, keep the Titans out of the endzone. Check. The Titans managed a measly three points on the day, and those three points only happened because of the Browns' only turnover of the day. Had they not fumbled deep in their own end of the field, the Titans would have traveled back to Nashville with a giant goose egg for their troubles.

Schwartz is starting to get a feel for his personnel and that alone should scare any future opponent. Through three games Schwartz’ defense has literally been historic. So far, the Browns defense has only allowed a jaw-dropping 18 points, with zero points coming in the red zone. If you haven’t bought any Jim Schwartz stock yet, you better get some now because it’s going to the moon.

Browns Stock Up: Myles Garrett

Myles Garrett is a generational talent. Full stop.

Coming off a game where he didn't register a sack, although he did beat his man at a league-leading clip and supplied tons of pressure, Garrett had himself a day against the Titans. The defensive captain notched three and a half sacks and forced a fumble.

The term game wrecker gets used more than it should, but it actually does apply to Garrett. By the time you read this, Pro Football Focus will have dropped their game grades for Week 3. Without even seeing the grades, I will go out on a limb and say that Garrett will finish as the top-graded edge defender on the week and will wind up in the 95-grade range.

On two of Garrett’s sacks, he was clearly being held by Titans’ left tackle Andre Dillard. And by holding, I mean Dillard was arm-barring Garrett to no effect while being escorted to the quarterback completely against his will. There could have been two Dillard’s attempting to block Garrett on Sunday and would not have mattered. 95 was a man on a mission against the Titans.

Garrett’s domination is not only limited to his ability to get after opposing quarterbacks, but it also dictates how offenses allocate their resources. There's no greater demonstration of how much space Garrett owns in offensive coordinator’s minds than when the Titans dedicated two tight ends to block him. However, the All-Pro edge defender recognized the situation and decided to play a game of follow the leader and effectively go in motion causing the Titans to burn a timeout to avoid a delay of game penalty.

The biggest takeaway from Garrett’s play on Sunday is that perennial All-Pro is having fun out there, which should scare the daylights out of opposing offenses…and just in time for Halloween season.