A victory would essentially put the Browns in firm control of their own playoff destiny.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — No doubt about it: This is the biggest game of the year so far.
The Browns are back south of the Mason-Dixon line this Sunday as they prepare to battle the Tennessee Titans. Both teams enter with identical 8-3 records, but while Tennessee went to the AFC Championship Game last season, Cleveland is still searching for national respect after years of futility.
A victory Sunday over the Titans would certainly go a long way towards shutting the naysayers up, and would essentially give the Browns firm control of their own playoff destiny. Cleveland also gets back several key players from the reserve/COVID-19 list, most notably star defensive end Myles Garrett.
Tennessee is led by All-Pro running back Derrick Henry, who is well on his way to his second straight rushing title. The Titans will be looking for a repeat of last year’s matchup with the Browns, when they rolled to a 43-13 win and derailed Cleveland’s promising season before it had even begun.
What follows is a drive-by-drive live blog of today’s action, with the most recent plays and updates closest to the top. Stay tuned for updates throughout the day on 3News and WKYC.com.
3RD QUARTER
5:29: Despite a third-down drop by Jarvis Landry, the Browns are able to burn some clock and stop the bleeding a little bit with a 43-yard Cody Parkey field goal. Cleveland extends its lead to 41-21.
9:08: The Titans get another quick score, but it was a little adventurous getting there: Terrance Mitchell stripped the ball out of A.J. Brown’s hands at the goal line, but MyCole Pruitt was there to recover it and take it in for the touchdown. Ryan Tannehill adds the two-point conversion, and the Browns’ lead is down to 38-21.
11:18: The Browns go three-and-out, and Jamie Gillan is forced to punt for the first time this afternoon. His kick goes just 39 yards, and the Titans will start with decent field position at their own 39.
13:52: Right out of the break, the Titans march downfield for a quick score as Ryan Tannehill finds MyCole Pruitt for a 22-yard touchdown. However, Derrick Henry is stuffed on the two-point conversion attempt, and the Browns still lead 38-13.
2ND QUARTER
0:00: The Titans fail to score as the clock runs out, with Kevin Johnson recovering an A.J. Browns fumble. The Browns head into halftime with a commanding 38-7 lead.
0:55: Baker Mayfield helps orchestrate another methodical drive that ends with a 1-yard Nick Chubb touchdown. It’s 38-7 Browns, who have set a record for the most first-half points in franchise history.
4:17: Another three-and-out for the Titans, who seem a bit shell-shocked down 24 points. The Browns take over at their own 35 after a punt.
5:46: Baker Mayfield is on fire as he throws for his fourth touchdown pass of the day, this time to Rashard Higgins from 17 yards out. It’s now 31-7 Browns.
Mayfield is also the first Cleveland quarterback since Otto Graham in 1951 to throw for four scores in the first half. Coincidentally, today would’ve been Graham’s 99th birthday.
11:24: The Browns defense responds with a three-and-out, forcing the first punt of the day for either team. Cleveland will start on its own 20 after a holding penalty on the return.
13:04: All it took was one play: Baker Mayfield hits Donovan Peoples-Jones in stride, and the rookie from Michigan dashes for the score. The Browns extend their lead to 24-7.
13:14: The Titans answer right back as Ryan Tannehill finds Corey Davis for a 17-yard touchdown. The Browns still lead 17-7.
14:56: A little more trickeration from the Browns as Baker Mayfield hits offensive lineman Kendall Lamm (you read that right) for a 1-yard touchdown. Cleveland is rolling, up 17-0.
1ST QUARTER
3:09: You’d be hard-pressed to script a better start for the Browns, as Sheldon Richardson forces a Derrick Henry fumble and Karl Joseph recovers it. Cleveland takes over at the Titans 21-yard line.
3:19: Jarvis Landry is the star of this Browns drive, first using his arm to hit Baker Mayfield for a first down.
He later returns the favor by catching a short scoring pass from Mayfield, and Cleveland now leads it 10-0.
7:51: On 4th-and-1 from the Cleveland 42, Mike Vrabel elects to go for it. However, Derrick Henry is stopped just short of the marker (a play upheld upon further review), and the Browns take over on downs.
10:43: Baker Mayfield leads the Browns downfield, but Donovan Peoples-Jones drops a sure touchdown pass. Cleveland settles for a 27-yard Cody Parkey field goal and takes an early 3-0 lead.