Worried about the defense as entire coaching staff will be tested – Cleveland Browns Pregame Scribbles – cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – As the Browns play in Tennessee, here are some worried pregame scribbles.

1. Yes, this game worries me. That’s because the Titans offense (and Browns defense) both worry me. Even if the Browns had Denzel Ward (calf) and Ronnie Harrison (shoulder) on the field, I’d be worried. Even if Myles Garrett were 100 percent physically instead of coming off a physically draining experience with COVID-19, I’d be worried.

2. I’m worried because Tennessee can jump to a quick lead, and suddenly the Browns will feel the urge to start throwing all over the field. That will be a test for head coach and play-caller Kevin Stefanski. The two games where I thought he lost his run-first mindset were the routs in Pittsburgh (38-7) and Baltimore (38-6).

3. So Stefanski will be tested, especially if the Titans grab a 10-point lead. That can happen because I don’t see the defense being able to counter the Titans.

4. If all the Titans did was run the ball with Derrick Henry (1,257 yards rushing), that would be a significant challenge. But the other concern is Ryan Tannehill, who has emerged as a top-10 QB.

5. What does the Browns defense do best? Force turnovers. Here’s the problem: Tennessee has committed five turnovers all season. That’s the fewest in the NFL. Tannehill has 23 TD passes compared to four interceptions. The Titans have lost only one fumble.

6. The Browns need one of those game-changing strip-sack plays from Garrett. He’s had four this season. But Garrett talked about fatigue and virus issues, admitting “it kicked my butt.” Garrett said he is “fine. … I’m back.”

7. Garrett insisted he plans to play a lot, “and I don’t think there will be any dropoff.” If that’s true, the Browns have a chance. Especially if fellow defensive end Olivier Vernon can maintain his recent play. Vernon had three sacks and tackled Philadelphia’s Carson Wentz for a safety. That was two weeks ago. Last week, he had no sacks, but a pair of QB hits on Jacksonville’s Mike Glennon.

8. The Browns have some big money on the defensive line. I’m talking about Sheldon Richardson, Larry Ogunjobi, Adrian Clayborn along with Vernon and Garrett. They need not only to pressure the QB, but defend the run.

9. Tannehill has been sacked 16 times. Baker Mayfield has been sacked 17 times. These two offenses are similar in terms of the power running game, zone blocking scheme and protecting the QB reasonably well. The difference is Tannehill is the NFL’s sixth-rated passer.

10. The Titans have two playmaking receivers in A.J. Brown and Corey Davis. Tight end Jonnu Smith has caught seven TD passes, but he’s out with an injury. As Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods said: “Everything goes through (Henry). They are running at a high level. When you are worried about stopping the run, you create bigger (passing) windows. … (Tannehill) is doing a great job of making the plays he needs to make when he decides to throw it.”

11. OK, you get the point. The Browns defense will probably have a long afternoon. But as one executive told me, Tennessee is vulnerable. Their special teams play has been a mess at times. Their defense is OK, but not great.

12. The Titans coaching staff has been praising the Browns all week, especially Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. The Titans are ranked No. 1 in rushing, the Browns are No. 2. Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel mentioned how Hunt and Chubb don’t fumble. The same is true of Henry.

13. The Browns need to control the game on offense, long drives that chew up the clock and keep the Cleveland defense off the field. Tennessee has lost three games. The Steelers (27-24) and Colts (34-17) beat them. Both are winning teams. But they also lost 31-20 the Bengals when Joe Burrow was still playing QB.

14. In other words, these are not the undefeated Steelers. Four times this season, the Titans have given up at least 30 points. That’s how the Browns can win. They need Chubb and Hunt to dominate on the ground with Mayfield connecting on some timely passes. The Tennessee defense is allowing more yards (394) than Cleveland (372).

15. For the Browns to win, they need one of those 35-30 shootouts. Cleveland has scored at least 30 points in five games this season. But I don’t have a good feeling about this game. My prediction: Titans 31, Browns 20.

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