The Tennessee Titans are trying to stack wins for the first time since November of 2022, and the obstacle standing in their way this Sunday looks a lot like the old version of DeShaun Watson.
Fresh off last week’s win over the Colts, Tennessee returns to Nissan Stadium to face a Cleveland team riding Watson’s resurgence. The Browns quarterback has helped push his team to a 4-2 record, and each of Cleveland’s four wins has come on a game-winning scoring drive directed by Watson.
Watson’s numbers back up the turnaround. Through four games, he has completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,174 yards, with seven touchdown passes and only two interceptions. After injuries and off-field issues threatened to knock his career off course, he’s starting to look like the player who once made noise as one of the NFL’s most promising young quarterbacks with the Houston Texans.
Titans inside linebacker Cedric Gray said the film confirms the same impression.
"I think he's playing very well this year," said Titans inside linebacker Cedric Gray. "Looking at him on film, he's kind of looking like his old self."
Jeffery Simmons, who faced Watson twice a year during his time with Houston, pointed to the quarterback’s ability to slip pressure and keep plays alive.
"Having played against him in Houston, (I remember) he shrugged me off a couple of times. We just have to get all eleven guys to the ball (against him)."
The Browns are also bringing plenty of orange and brown to Nashville. Cleveland radio station WKNR (ESPN Cleveland) is sending a large group of fans to Sunday’s game, and the Browns arrive in first place in the AFC North alone for the first time since November of 2014.
Kickoff is set for Sunday at 12pm CT, with the game airing on Newschannel 5.
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Vrabel Had An Emotional Reaction To A Former Titan Beating Him
Cairo Santos has a way of turning old chapters into fresh reminders, and Mike Vrabel had to absorb another one in a recent game against his Patriots. Santos drilled a 58-yard field goal to help seal the win, and Vrabel made a point afterward to acknowledge the kickers performance, recognizing how far he has come since his time in Tennessee.
For Titans fans, it is a familiar kind of story: a player once cast aside finding his footing elsewhere and showing it in a high-pressure moment. Vrabels reaction carried a trace of emotion because the turnaround is hard to ignore, especially after Santos was cut by the Titans in 2019 following a rough game in which he missed four field goals. Even in defeat, Vrabel sounded genuinely proud of the progress Santos has made since then. [Read more 🡒]
Tony Pollard Could Decide More Than Sunday's Titans Game
With the NFL trade deadline drawing closer and the Titans sitting at 1-5, Tony Pollard has become one of the more interesting names on Tennessees roster. He has taken a leading role in the backfield this season, and with the team leaning into a rebuild under coach Robert Saleh, every week he stays productive only sharpens the questions around what comes next.
Pollard is expected to carry a significant workload Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, and the matchup may matter well beyond the final score. Because he is in the final year of his contract, a strong showing could only add to his value for a team that appears to be in sell mode, giving Tennessee a decision that reaches past Week 7 and into the deadline conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Suddenly Have A Real Chance To Build Momentum Sunday
The Titans finally have a little something to build on as they come home Sunday with a chance to stack a second straight strong performance against the Browns. After getting their first win of the season, Tennessee showed some life on offense by scoring on every second-half possession in its last game, a useful sign for a unit that has been looking for any kind of rhythm. For a team still trying to steady itself, the timing matters as much as the result.
Cleveland brings a winning record, but the matchup gives Tennessee some openings if it can carry over the same energy. The Browns offense has not been consistently productive, and their quarterback has taken more sacks than anyone in the league, which puts extra pressure on a Titans defense that should be able to make life difficult. If Tennessee can keep the offense moving and turn that pass-rush vulnerability into a few big stops, Sunday starts to look less like a reset and more like a chance to build real momentum. [Read more 🡒]