Snow, Wind, and a Confident QB: Titans Brace for Classic Cleveland Weather Game
The Tennessee Titans have had the luxury of relatively mild conditions through the first 12 games of the season. But that streak is about to get tested in a big way. Sunday’s matchup in Cleveland is shaping up to be a classic AFC North-style grinder, with snow in the forecast, temperatures hovering in the mid-30s, and winds whipping off Lake Erie at 10-15 mph.
This isn’t just a weather note buried at the bottom of the scouting report - it’s a real factor that could shape how this game is played from the first snap to the final whistle.
Game Plan Adjustments Already in Motion
Interim head coach Mike McCoy isn’t brushing off the forecast. In fact, he’s already building his game plan around it. When the elements become part of the equation, coaches have to make quick decisions about what stays on the call sheet - and what gets scratched.
“You always go into a weather game with a different mindset,” McCoy said. “You’ve got to plan ahead. Whether it’s how you run the ball, how you throw it, how you kick it - there are things you just don’t do when the conditions are changing every few minutes.”
McCoy knows this Cleveland weather can flip in an instant. He’s seen it firsthand - one minute it’s snowing, the next it’s clear skies. That unpredictability forces coaches to stay flexible and players to stay locked in.
Cam Ward Embracing the Elements
While the weather might limit some offenses, the Titans believe they have a wild card in quarterback Cam Ward. His arm strength has been a talking point since he arrived in Tennessee, and McCoy is banking on that being a difference-maker in less-than-ideal conditions.
“That’s a huge plus,” McCoy said. “I’ve played in cold weather before, and I wasn’t suggesting we throw it around too much.
But Cam’s arm is on another level. He’s been chirping all week in practice, calling this ‘football weather.’
You love that attitude - he’s embracing it.”
Ward, for his part, isn’t just talking the talk. He’s played in frigid conditions before, including a game at Washington State where the mercury barely cracked 10 degrees. For him, this isn’t a challenge - it’s a return to his roots.
“You get a little more grip on the ball in the cold,” Ward said. “It’s exciting to get back in my element. I just want to go out there, play football, and lead my guys.”
That kind of confidence - paired with a cannon for an arm - could be exactly what the Titans need in a game where every possession might come down to who handles the weather best.
Injury Report: Titans Down Two Starters
The Titans will be without two key contributors on Sunday. Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (Achilles) and center Lloyd Cushenberry (foot) have both been ruled out for the matchup against the Browns.
Losing Armour-Davis puts added pressure on a secondary that’s already been tested this season, especially against a Browns team that likes to take shots when the opportunity arises. And Cushenberry’s absence in the middle of the offensive line could be significant - especially in a game where trench play becomes even more important in the cold and snow.
Bottom Line
This game is shaping up to be more than just Titans vs. Browns - it’s Titans vs. the elements.
And while weather games can get messy, they also reveal a lot about a team’s identity. Tennessee is leaning into the challenge, led by a quarterback who’s not only ready for the cold - he’s thriving in it.
Sunday in Cleveland might not be pretty. But if you love gritty, old-school football with snow swirling and breath visible in the huddle, this one’s for you.