NASHVILLE — The Cleveland Browns looked headed for a long afternoon after falling behind Tennessee 14-0 in the first seven minutes Sunday. Instead, the Browns have scored 17 unanswered points and lead the Titans 17-14 at halftime.
Tennessee running back Tony Pollard gave the Browns defense fits early, scoring on touchdown runs of 36 and 10 yards. Cleveland also made matters worse when Deshaun Watson threw an interception that gave the Titans the football at the Browns' 24-yard line, setting up Tennessee's second score.
But Cleveland responded, thanks largely to rookie running back Quinshon Judkins and receiver KC Concepcion. Judkins got the Browns on the board with a 5-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, then tied the game with a 6-yard score late in the second. Concepcion provided several big plays, including catches of 23, 21, and 32 yards that helped keep Cleveland's offense moving.
The Browns defense also recovered from its slow start. Tennessee drove to Cleveland's 4-yard line early in the second quarter, but the Browns stopped the Titans on four consecutive plays, including a fourth-down run by Pollard from the 1-yard line that went nowhere. Denzel Ward later intercepted Titans quarterback Cam Ward, ending another Tennessee possession.
After Cleveland tied the game at 14, the defense forced a quick three-and-out, giving Watson the ball with 1:45 remaining. The Browns moved 64 yards on 10 plays, setting up Andre Szmyt's 28-yard field goal as time expired to give Cleveland its first lead of the afternoon.
The Browns will need to find a better answer for Pollard in the second half, but their response after falling behind two touchdowns has been impressive. Cleveland entered Sunday at 4-2, and a victory would keep the Browns among the AFC North leaders.
