Draft discuss is high of thoughts for the Tennessee Titans as they contact down in Cleveland with a 1-17 file of their previous 18 video games and with an lively seven-game dropping streak.
Even at 3-9, the Cleveland Browns enter the Sunday go to from the Titans mathematically eligible for the AFC playoffs. Nonetheless, the Browns are solely 3-15 throughout the identical stretch, a revolving door of losses that also hasn’t netted a franchise quarterback.
Whereas Tennessee (1-11) can drag Cleveland into the ranks of the eradicated with a victory, the Titans ought to know they should befuddle Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders on their very own. The rookie, one in every of two quarterbacks chosen by the Browns within the 2025 draft, has pledged to remain disciplined throughout his third profession begin.
“Typically, I search for the massive play, you recognize? And I try this after I really feel like I am urgent,” Sanders stated, “after I really feel like we have to get a spark. … In order that’s one thing I evaluate inside myself, and I do know in these conditions, I am unable to try this at sure occasions.”
Cleveland’s fifth-round decide in April, Sanders has handed for a landing in every of his first two begins, a street victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and a house loss to San Francisco in Week 13. After beginning 8-for-11 in opposition to the 49ers, together with a 34-yard landing toss to Harold Fannin Jr. that sparked the Browns to a second-quarter lead, he led an assault that managed simply 76 yards within the ultimate two quarters.
Sanders admitted he nonetheless is working to construct belief along with his extensive receivers as he navigates what’s “not a conventional state of affairs” — becoming a member of the lineup at midseason. To date, working again Dylan Sampson has the very best receiving output for the Browns throughout Sanders’ time as starter: 59 yards in opposition to Las Vegas.
If the 2026 NFL Draft order had been set utilizing the present standings, the Titans would maintain the highest decide once more. The New York Giants (2-11), the New Orleans Saints (2-10) and the Raiders (2-10) and are nonetheless within the working and separate Tennessee from a stack of three-loss groups: the Browns, Jets, Commanders and Cardinals. Arizona is the one staff to lose to the Titans this season.
Tennessee is also looking for to develop a rhythm behind a rookie QB, albeit the highest total choice in April. Cam Ward led the Titans’ offense to solely a first-quarter Joey Slye area aim final week earlier than the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars scored the ultimate 25 factors of the sport.
Ward completed 24-for-38 for 141 yards with zero touchdowns and interceptions.
The Titans had misplaced every of their earlier three video games by one rating.
“Anytime you are on the market, you are competing and making an attempt to win, and I’ve seen a number of competitiveness from our group,” Titans left guard Peter Skoronski stated. “Guys are nonetheless hungry simply to win a recreation. It has been awhile, sadly.”
The 22-point loss to the Jaguars final week was deceptive contemplating Tennessee held Jacksonville to 272 whole yards and 3-of-13 success on third downs and locked down working lanes to the tune of 70 yards on 27 carries (2.6-yard common). A protection that has notched three sacks or extra in 5 of the previous six video games whereas limiting missed tackles has saved Tennessee afloat.
“You watch these boys hunt every day,” Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson stated. “Irrespective of the rating, irrespective of the state of affairs, they arrive to play.”
Browns defensive finish Myles Garrett has recorded at the very least one sack in six consecutive video games to increase his career-best whole to 19, 4 sacks shy of breaking the league single-season file of twenty-two.5.
Tennessee offensive coordinator Nick Holz spoke about embracing the problem of going through Garrett and leaning on the expertise of left sort out Dan Moore Jr., who opposed the Browns for 4 seasons as a member of the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers earlier than becoming a member of the Titans in 2025.
“You at all times need to measure your self in opposition to the very best, you recognize what I imply? We’ll see how we measure up,” Holz stated. “It may be an incredible problem. And he is not the one good participant on their protection.”
Three of the Titans’ 4 whole wins the previous two seasons got here on the street.
Cleveland has gained two in a row within the sequence with Tennessee, together with a 27-3 dwelling win in Week 3 of 2023.
–Discipline Degree Media
