The Tennessee Titans won a defensive battle against the Cleveland Browns 12-9 at Cleveland on Sunday. There were no touchdowns scored in the game, and both offenses had trouble moving the ball. The Titans came in looking good off a win Monday night against the Colts, and the Browns were looking to get their first win of the season.
Titans offense
Marcus Mariota (Titans QB) did not look 100% healthy in this game. He suffered a hamstring injury against the Texans a few weeks ago and has not played the same since. He's known more for his running ability, and that option hasn't been there the past two weeks.
Mariota was 21-34 for 203 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. There were a few drops buy wide receiver Eric Decker, but his primary target was tight end Delanie Walker. Walker had seven receptions for 63 yards that resulted in a few field goals. The run game was barely there with DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry carrying the ball a combined 32 times for 72 yards. That had to do more with the Browns defense but shutting down the Titans run game is a key to beating them. The kicker, Ryan Succop, was the star of the game for Tennessee hitting 4/5 field goals including the game-winning 47-yard field goal in overtime.
Browns QB problems
DeShone Kizer started the game and was 12/20 for 114 yards, but he threw two interceptions.
So head coach Hue Jackson pulled the rookie quarterback in the second half and put in Cody Kessler. He didn't do much better throwing 10/19 with one interception. This all comes after Kevin Hogan won the starting job but lost it after he threw three interceptions in a loss to the Texans last week. So basically the Browns have been playing duck-duck-goose with their quarterbacks the past two weeks, and they still haven't figured anything out.
Zane Gonzalez (Browns kicker) was big for them as well kicking 3/3 on field goals.
Takeaways
The biggest story coming out of this game for the Browns is that starting offensive lineman Joe Thomas was injured and he had an 11-year snap streak broken. He had taken every snap on offense since being a member of the team in 2007. Spencer Drango was his replacement.
Safety Kevin Byard for Tennessee had all three picks against both Browns quarterbacks. So he's someone to look out for in the coming weeks. Their next game is hosting the Ravens November 5th.
The Titans have a bye week next week so they can figure out the run game and Mariota can try and get healthy. The Browns play the Vikings in London next week. It's technically a home game for the Browns, but the only thing on their mind should be not leaving 0-8.
