CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns have an opportunity to strengthen their position atop the AFC North on Sunday afternoon when they travel to Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans. After pulling off a dramatic comeback against Baltimore, Cleveland has a chance to keep the train rolling against a team that has struggled through the opening weeks.

The Browns (4-2) enter the matchup tied for first in the AFC North after defeating the Ravens 13-10 last week. Cleveland overcame a 10-point halftime deficit, with Andre Szmyt kicking the winning field goal as time expired. The defense was outstanding, holding Baltimore scoreless over the final three quarters.

Tennessee (1-5), meanwhile, is coming off its first victory of the season, a 26-20 comeback win over Indianapolis. The Titans have struggled offensively, but their defense recorded six sacks and forced three turnovers against the Colts.

For Cleveland, this is the beginning of three consecutive road games, all of which present opportunities to strengthen its position in the division. But the Browns will need to improve offensively if they hope to take advantage of a favorable stretch in their schedule.

Players to Watch

• Deshaun Watson — Watson has thrown for 1,174 yards, seven touchdowns, and just two interceptions through Cleveland's first six games. He's done a good job protecting the football, but the offense continues to struggle with consistency, especially in the first half. Against Baltimore, the Browns managed just 13 points and needed another outstanding defensive performance to escape with a victory. Tennessee recorded six sacks against Indianapolis last week, and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is capable of wrecking the game from the middle. Watson needs to make quick decisions, avoid unnecessary sacks, and give Cleveland's receivers opportunities to make plays. The Browns have relied too heavily on their defense this season, and it's time for the offense to start carrying more of the load.

• Cleveland's Offensive Line — The Browns' offensive line has been a concern throughout the season, and Sunday's matchup won't provide much relief. Watson has already been sacked 24 times, more than any other quarterback in the NFL, and Tennessee's defensive front is coming off one of its best performances. Simmons leads the Titans' pass rush with four sacks and presents a difficult assignment for Cleveland's interior offensive line. But protecting Watson is only part of the challenge. The Browns also need to establish a productive running game with Quinshon Judkins and the rest of the running backs, something that would take pressure off Watson and help Cleveland avoid obvious passing downs. The offensive line needs to create running lanes, limit negative plays, and give the Browns an opportunity to sustain drives. If Cleveland cannot control the line of scrimmage, this could become another low-scoring game in which the defense is forced to carry the team.

• Cleveland's Defensive Line — The Browns' defense has been the biggest reason for the team's 4-2 start, and the defensive front should, at times, dominate Tennessee. The Titans have struggled to protect quarterback Cam Ward, and their passing offense ranks among the worst in the NFL. Cleveland recorded 19 sacks through its first six games, and the Browns should be able to generate pressure without relying heavily on blitzes. The key will be containing Ward while preventing Tennessee from establishing its running game with Tony Pollard. Ward is capable of extending plays with his legs, but he's also been inconsistent when forced to operate under pressure. If Cleveland can control the line of scrimmage, limit Pollard, and force the Titans into difficult third-down situations, Tennessee could have trouble producing much offense. The Browns held Baltimore scoreless over the final three quarters last week, and another performance like that should give Cleveland an excellent chance to win.

Game Information

Notes

• Cleveland enters Sunday at 4-2 following its 13-10 comeback victory over Baltimore. The Browns are tied for first in the AFC North and hold the divisional tiebreaker.

• Tennessee defeated Indianapolis 26-20 last week for its first victory of the season, overcoming a 13-point halftime deficit.

• Watson has thrown for 1,174 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions, but has also been sacked 24 times through six games.

• The Browns have recorded 19 sacks this season, while Tennessee ranks near the bottom of the league in several offensive categories.

• Tennessee defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has four sacks, including two in last week's victory over Indianapolis.

• Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, safety Grant Delpit, linebacker Quincy Williams, and running back Dylan Sampson are questionable. Defensive tackles Mike Hall Jr. and Kalia Davis, guard Teven Jenkins, and quarterback Dillon Gabriel have been ruled out.

• Sampson was activated from injured reserve Saturday, although his availability for Sunday's game remains uncertain.

• Tennessee defeated Cleveland 31-29 in the teams' most recent meeting on December 7, 2025, when Tony Pollard rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

• Cleveland begins a three-game road stretch Sunday before visiting the New York Giants and Houston Texans.

Prediction

I like Cleveland's chances in this one, primarily because of the matchup between the Browns' defense and Tennessee's struggling offense. The Titans have had difficulty moving the football all season, and I don't see them having much success against a Cleveland defense that has been playing at a high level.

Cam Ward has shown some ability to make plays, but Tennessee's offensive line has struggled, and the Browns should be able to put pressure on him throughout the afternoon. If Cleveland can limit Pollard and force Ward into obvious passing situations, I expect the Titans to have a difficult time sustaining drives.

My biggest concern is Cleveland's offense. Watson has done a good job avoiding interceptions, but the protection problems and slow starts have prevented the Browns from developing any real consistency. Tennessee's defense looked impressive against Indianapolis last week, and Simmons could create problems for Cleveland's offensive line.

However, I think this is a game in which the Browns will finally get some production from their offense. Judkins should have opportunities to establish the running game, and Watson won't need to do anything extraordinary if the defense plays the way it has been.

I expect Cleveland to control the game defensively and gradually pull away as Tennessee struggles to generate offense. The Browns have made things more difficult than necessary in several games this season, but I don't think that will be the case Sunday.

Browns 24, Titans 10