The Tennessee Titans are trying to turn last week’s comeback against the Indianapolis Colts into momentum, but Week 7 brings a different kind of challenge. Cleveland arrives in Nashville at 4-2, and the Browns have been winning with defense, which is exactly the sort of thing that can make life miserable for Tennessee’s offense.
Much of the attention this week has landed on rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate, and for good reason. He’s been one of the biggest storylines on the Titans’ side.
But the matchup is not friendly, with Denzel Ward standing out as one of the league’s top corners and Cleveland owning a Top-10 pass defense overall. That combination points to a difficult afternoon for Cam Ward and the passing game.
Still, ESPN’s Seth Walder sees a different Titans receiver as the potential swing piece: Wan’Dale Robinson.
Walder projected Robinson to finish with at least seven catches, which would tie his season high. That kind of usage suggests a real opportunity for Tennessee to lean on him if Ward is shadowing Tate for much of the game.
" Titans WR Wan'Dale Robinson will record at least seven receptions, tying his season high. Robinson has one of the largest gaps between open score (63) and catch score (39), which suggests he has underproduced based on how open he has been." Walder wrote.
Robinson’s first season with the Titans has been quiet by the standard of his contract. After arriving from the New York Giants on a 4-year, $70 million deal, he has 198 yards and two touchdowns. He has functioned as Tennessee’s No. 2 receiver behind Tate, though he does lead the team in receiving touchdowns.
The numbers suggest a breakout might be there if the Titans can find him early. Robinson has had at least five targets in every game except Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and he has already put up three games with 7+ targets, including an 11-target outing against the New York Giants. The one thing he hasn’t done yet is crack 60 receiving yards in a game.
For Tennessee, the formula is pretty clear: start fast, get the passing game moving, and get Robinson involved before Cleveland can settle in. Against a Browns team that has built its wins on control and defense, that kind of early rhythm could be the difference in a tight, low-scoring game at home.
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Malik Willis finished 20 of 31 for 181 yards with one interception, and Tennessee repeatedly failed to turn chances into momentum. Cor'Dale Flotts interception offered one of the few defensive highlights, but the Titans could not cash in often enough around it, leaving Pollards breakout effort as another frustrating footnote in a season that keeps slipping further away. [Read more 🡒]