The Cleveland Browns are facing the one team in the NFL that is most like them and these are the three things they need to do to beat the Titans.
The Cleveland Browns will meet the Tennessee Titans in a game that will decide so many things. Both teams need the win for different reasons. The Titans need it to keep pace in the AFC South and try to angle for a home game to open the playoffs. For the Browns, it’s about proving that losses to the Steelers and Ravens were flukes and that they can in fact beat top teams like the Titans.
To do that, however, the Browns are going to need to angle in on three specific points. These are the three keys to victory the Browns will need to follow to topple the Titans.
Stack the box
The Titans have one of the best running backs in the league in Derrick Henry. Sure, the likes of Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffery may warrant a debate on what constitutes “best”. Some will argue being near the top as a runner and a receiver is better than being the best runner, but when you’re as good at running as Henry is, does it really matter if he’s not a passing threat? At the end of the day, you still have to tackle him.
For the Browns, that’s not a reassuring thought. See, they can get turnovers, and they can sack the quarterback – well, one of them can – but tackling? Ehhh…that’s a problem for this defense. Their best tackler is also the fanbase’s number one scapegoat, Andrew Sendejo, and their best linebacker, Wilson Mack, tackles as well as a wet paper bag trying to stop a tank.
So you know, issues is the word of the day to describe the Browns defense. The Browns are going to need to hope that Myles Garrett is back to full strength so they can stack the box and not worry about play action. If Garrett can zip into the backfield, then maybe he can disrupt the timing of the routes. If not, this is going to be a long day.
Pressure Ryan Tannehill
Ryan Tannehill is a very good quarterback and all the proof in the world one needs to point to in defense of Baker Mayfield. Tannehill found his stroke at 30 years old. Mayfield has plenty of time before one can truly say he’s a bust (he isn’t). That said, no quarterback, as good as they are, is good enough to deal with the constant pressure of Myles Garrett all day. That’s the sad truth that Tannehill will have to deal with on Sunday. With Garrett back, the Titans are going to have to find out if their passing game is as good as it used to be with new Browns o-linemen Jack Conklin blocking for Tannehill.
Tannehill was sacked 31 times last year, with former starter Marcus Mariota getting 25 times, in far fewer games. This year, Tannehill, who’s been the only quarterback all year, has only been sacked 15 times. For the Browns to really get a leg up on the Titans, that needs to change. The Browns need to come down on Tannehill with all the force in the world. Guys like Sheldon Richardson and Olivier Vernon, guys who don’t usually show up in big games, need to do just that.
The Titans offensive line, on paper, got better. It’s time to see if Garrett and Co. can’t prove that theory wrong.
Go Over the Top on the Titans defense
Sylvester Stallone and arm wrestling movies aside, that’s exactly what this team needs to do against the Titans defense. Go over the top. By that I mean; throw it. The Browns need to use the running back duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to wear down the defense. This isn’t some goofy video game turn of phrase. It’s meant sincerely, wear them out by forcing them to run down and tackle the double-headed running attack. Wear the defense out. It’ll be more effective in 2020 than 2019, as the Titans defense isn’t as good as it was. The defense is 30th in the NFL this year in total touchdowns, having given up 23 through 12 weeks. In all 17 weeks last year, the Titans only gave up 25 touchdowns.
This defense can be beaten. This is why it’s going to be so important for the Titans to follow the Browns suite as well and keep the game on the ground to keep the Browns off the field. So when the Browns do get on the field, they need to make sure the drives are long, strenuous, and end with a soul-crushing dagger toss from Baker Mayfield.
If the Titans defense is run ragged by a persistent rushing attack, and an up-tempo game plan, the Titans won’t be able to settle and the Browns will be able to exploit them all game.