A defensive victory for Cleveland, and a candidacy for the title of defender of the year for Myles Garrett.
Cleveland Browns (2-1) – Tennessee Titans (1-2): 27-3
There was no game this Sunday between the Titans and the Browns. Completely crushed by the Browns defense, Mike Vrabbel’s men never found the solution in attack.
A new catastrophic offensive performance which inevitably raises questions about the future of Ryan Tannehill (13/25, 104 yards).
On the Cleveland side, well helped by its defense, the Cleveland attack did not have to force. Without star Nick Chubb, the attack still did well and the aerial game was particularly interesting in the second half.
Browns stifling on defense
Cleveland dominates the first half thanks to its defense, once again. Carried by Myles Garrett everywhere (2.5 sacks at halftime, 3.5 at the end), Jim Schwartz’s men do not let Ryan Tanehill and his attack breathe.
The Titans only managed to score one field goal and this was only due to Tennessee’s advantageous position at the start of the series thanks to a defensive turnover. The visitors actually lost -9 yards on this offensive…
The rest ? Punts and pressure such that the Titans quarterback ended up sacked before returning to the locker room while his team was in position for a field goal.
Cleveland’s defensive performance allows the Browns’ offense not to do too much to be ahead in the score.
After a field goal (3-0), the Browns took off on a series where Deshaun Watson multiplied the good passes and ended up finding Jerome Ford (10 races, 18 yards, 1TD; 2 rec, 33 yards, 1TD) on a 19-yard reception for the touchdown (10-3). The Browns even moved to 10 points ahead (13-3) with a field goal on their last offensive series.
The attack also begins
In the second half, while the Titans’ attack continued to slip, that of the Browns appeared more and more interesting.
Deshaun Watson (27/33, 289 yards, 2TD) notably leads two offensive series of good quality and concludes with a touchdown (27-3) each time.
On the first, the attack gained 85 yards in 11 actions and Ford found himself in a position to score on the ground. On the second, 64 yards are gained in 10 actions. The series ends with a touch of explosiveness with a deep 46-yard reception from Amari Cooper (7 rec, 116 yards, 1 TD).
After this touchdown, the Titans will do nothing more to save their honor…
