The Titans head into Week 7 with a real chance to make life uncomfortable for the 4-2 Browns, but only if a few key players do their jobs. Tennessee just found a way past the Colts, and now it needs another strong all-around showing to keep pace with a Cleveland team that has been surging, even if it has looked fairly ordinary along the way.
Jeffery Simmons has to set the tone up front. He was everywhere against Indianapolis, piling up two sacks and forcing a fumble that he recovered to spark the comeback.
This week brings a different challenge in Deshaun Watson, a quarterback who can get caught holding the ball and doesn’t always get rid of it efficiently. That’s exactly the kind of setup Simmons can ruin.
The Titans also need another impact game from Carnell Tate. The rookie fourth overall pick gave them production in Week 6 with six catches for 70 yards and a touchdown, and he also drew a major pass interference call that flipped the field for roughly 35 yards.
That matters because the last time Tate broke out, against the Ravens in Week 4, Tennessee didn’t turn it into anything bigger. Against Cleveland, that can’t happen again.
At safety, Amani Hooker remains one of the Titans’ most reliable playmakers. He leads the team with two interceptions, and his pick against the Colts showed off the kind of instincts and quick reaction that can change a game in a hurry. He also came close to three interceptions against the Browns before, which makes him a natural candidate to create another turnover if Watson gives him a chance.
Cam Ward is another player under the spotlight. The defense and special teams carried him through the Colts win, and his numbers reflected that: 11-of-22 passing for 102 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Now he’s staring at a Browns defense that won’t make anything easy, and Tennessee’s passing game will have to hold up better than it did last week.
Then there’s Anthony Hill Jr., who keeps looking like the one linebacker Tennessee can count on every week. While Cody Barton and Cedric Gray continue to battle for reps next to him, Hill has become the steady presence in the middle. He’s been active from sideline to sideline and has shown he can help against both the run and the pass.
In Other News...
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 🡒]