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Titans fight Browns to escape Land of the Lost

Thu Dec 4 5:16am ET
Field Level Media

Draft talk is top of mind for the Tennessee Titans as they touch down in Cleveland with a 1-17 record in their past 18 games and with an active seven-game losing streak.

Even at 3-9, the Cleveland Browns enter the Sunday visit from the Titans mathematically eligible for the AFC playoffs. However, the Browns are only 3-15 during the same stretch, a revolving door of losses that still hasn't netted a franchise quarterback.

While Tennessee (1-11) can drag Cleveland into the ranks of the eliminated with a victory, the Titans should know they will have to befuddle Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders on their own. The rookie, one of two quarterbacks selected by the Browns in the 2025 draft, has pledged to stay disciplined during his third career start.

"Sometimes, I look for the big play, you know? And I do that when I feel like I'm pressing," Sanders said, "when I feel like we need to get a spark. ... So that's something I review within myself, and I know in those situations, I can't do that at certain times."

Cleveland's fifth-round pick in April, Sanders has passed for a touchdown in each of his first two starts, a road victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and a home loss to San Francisco in Week 13. After starting 8-for-11 against the 49ers, including a 34-yard touchdown toss to Harold Fannin Jr. that sparked the Browns to a second-quarter lead, he led an attack that managed just 76 yards in the final two quarters.

Sanders admitted he still is working to build trust with his wide receivers as he navigates what is "not a traditional situation" -- joining the lineup at midseason. Thus far, running back Dylan Sampson has the highest receiving output for the Browns during Sanders' time as starter: 59 yards against Las Vegas.

If the 2026 NFL Draft order were set using the current standings, the Titans would hold the top pick again. The New York Giants (2-11), the New Orleans Saints (2-10) and the Raiders (2-10) and are still in the running and separate Tennessee from a stack of three-loss teams: the Browns, Jets, Commanders and Cardinals. Arizona is the only team to lose to the Titans this season.

Tennessee also is seeking to develop a rhythm behind a rookie QB, albeit the top overall selection in April. Cam Ward led the Titans' offense to only a first-quarter Joey Slye field goal last week before the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars scored the final 25 points of the game.

Ward finished 24-for-38 for 141 yards with zero touchdowns and interceptions.

The Titans had lost each of their previous three games by one score.

"Anytime you're out there, you're competing and trying to win, and I've seen a lot of competitiveness from our group," Titans left guard Peter Skoronski said. "Guys are still hungry just to win a game. It's been awhile, unfortunately."

The 22-point loss to the Jaguars last week was misleading considering Tennessee held Jacksonville to 272 total yards and 3-of-13 success on third downs and locked down running lanes to the tune of 70 yards on 27 carries (2.6-yard average). A defense that has notched three sacks or more in five of the past six games while limiting missed tackles has kept Tennessee afloat.

"You watch these boys hunt on a daily basis," Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said. "No matter the score, no matter the situation, they come to play."

Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has recorded at least one sack in six consecutive games to extend his career-best total to 19, four sacks shy of breaking the league single-season record of 22.5.

Tennessee offensive coordinator Nick Holz spoke about embracing the challenge of facing Garrett and leaning on the experience of left tackle Dan Moore Jr., who opposed the Browns for four seasons as a member of the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Titans in 2025.

"You always want to measure yourself against the best, you know what I mean? We'll see how we measure up," Holz said. "It's going to be a great challenge. And he's not the only good player on their defense."

Three of the Titans' four total wins the past two seasons came on the road.

Cleveland has won two in a row in the series with Tennessee, including a 27-3 home win in Week 3 of 2023.

On the injury front, Tennessee ruled out cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (Achilles) and center Lloyd Cushenberry III (foot) on Friday, while defensive back Kendell Brooks (concussion) and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (concussion) are questionable.

For Cleveland, five players are out: quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles), offensive linemen Jack Conklin (concussion) and Wyatt Teller (calf), tight end Brenden Bates (ankle) and defensive tackle Adin Huntington (quadricep). Running back Dylan Sampson (calf), defensive linemen Mason Graham (ribs), Mike Hall Jr. (knee) and Isaiah McGuire (knee) and linebacker Devin Bush (foot) are questionable.

Titans fight Browns to escape Land of the Lost

The Paur Report