Blue
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,079
- 0
LAST WEEK
The Titans had one of the more dominating performances of Week 1, toppling the Browns, 43-13, on the road. On paper, that looks like they were all over them from start to finish — likely in all three phases — but there are some key ingredients that tell the story.
While Tennessee's offense played relatively well, its defense was even stronger. For starters, 15 of those 43 points came from fields goals or the defense directly, as the Titans registered a safety and an interception returned for a touchdown. The Titans' defense also held the Browns to a combined 1-of-12 on third and fourth downs.
The Titans' defense harassed Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield all day, sacking him five times and intercepting him three times in the fourth quarter. The second-year signal-caller went 25-of-38 passing (65.8 percent) for 285 yards, one touchdown and the three picks.
Cleveland's crown jewel addition of the offseason, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry combined for 11 receptions for 138 yards, while tight end David Njoku caught four passes for 37 yards and Mayfield's lone touchdown.
Running back Nick Chubb shouldered the load in the run game, toting the rock 17 times for 75 yards. As a team, the Browns ran the ball 20 times for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was 14-of-24 passing (58.3 percent) for 248 yards and three touchdowns, but he was also sacked four times. In two games against the Colts in 2018, the Colts sacked Titans quarterbacks five times and intercepted them four times.
Rookie wide receiver A.J. Brown led Tennessee in receiving in his debut with three receptions for 100 yards, and tight end Delanie Walker caught five passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns after missing basically all of 2018 with an ankle injury. Top receiver Corey Davis was targeted three times but was blanked statistically in this matchup.
Running back Derrick Henry picked up where he left off after an awesome finish to 2018, running the ball 19 times for 84 yards and a touchdown as well as catching one pass that he took 75 yards for another score.