Previewing the Titans

The Browns will host the Titans on Sunday in a matchup that should be a close one.

The Cleveland Browns (1-1) will take on the Tennessee Titans (1-1) this Sunday coming off a short week to prepare. In what should be another physical test for our offense, this game will squarely fall on the shoulders of Deshaun Watson and the offense to figure it out against a good Titans defense.

Let's take a look at the Titans and get familiar with what we are likely to see out of them at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday.

After losing by one point to the Saints in week 1, the Titans managed an overtime win against a good Chargers team in week 2. On offense Ryan Tannehill and the offense looked better and they moved the ball efficiently while managing to create a few explosive plays. One of which was a long 70 yard pass over the top to wide receiver Treylon Burks. Burks pairs with DeAndre Hopkins as the main weapons in their receiving corp. 

Derrick Henry has been one of the best running backs in the NFL over the last five seasons and remains their top offensive weapon. Expect to see them attempt some wide zone runs to create running lanes for him to get downhill in. Henry isn't their only weapon in the backfield after the team drafted Tyjae Spears in the third round. Spears is averaging close to 7 yards a carry on his limited touches. He can be a home run hitter in both the run and pass game. 

They will even put them on the field at the same time in 21 personnel (2 running backs, 1 tight end) often referred to as a ‘pony package’. In the first two games they ran this about 6 or 7 times. We could see it even more if the game is close.

The weakness on offense for the Titans is the offensive line. Rookie left guard Peter Skoronski has already been ruled out and backup Dillon Radunz will play in his absence.

Myles Garrett will be matched up over left tackle Andre Dillard with Za’Darius Smith on the opposite side against right tackle Chris Hubbard. You could hear those two tackles names a lot on Sunday during the broadcast which would in turn make a long day for Tannehill.

Defensively the Titans run an attacking 3-4 defense. Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is one of the best in the league and Teair Tart will line up a lot at nose tackle to create problems in the middle. Denico Autry may be their most undervalued player but he is also very good. Harold Landry will also be coming off the edge to try and get pressure on Watson.

In the secondary they are led by former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard. The veteran has a nose for the football and I’d expect it to be a chess match between he and Watson. On the outside they have a rising talent in second year corner Roger McCreary and veteran Sean Murphy-Bunting was a free agent addition who has played very well to start the season.

Overall, the matchup could be a nail biter unless Watson and the offense can get things figured out. Both offenses may find it tough to get things moving on the ground and it may come down to who makes more plays in the pass game.