Sloppy offensive execution and questionable coaching doomed the Browns last week. Looking on to next week, the schedule gets significantly easier as Cleveland hosts the last-place Tennessee Titans.
For a number one overall pick, Titans quarterback Cam Ward has been disappointing. Ward currently has the fewest touchdowns (7) and the second-lowest completion percentage (59.7) in the league. The former Miami Hurricane also has the fourth fewest passing yards (2,351) among quarterbacks with at least ten starts despite having the fourth-most pass attemps (412) in the league. This, combined with his league-low yards per attempt (4.7), points to him relying too much on checkdowns and shorter passes. In Ward’s defense, this might be due to coaching malpractice. His main strengths coming out of college were his accuracy on intermediate and deep passes.
In all honesty, Ward’s disastrous rookie campaign might be a result of the weapons around him or the lack thereof. Ever since WR Calvin Ridley suffered a season-ending leg injury back in November, Tennessee has lacked a true number one option. Rookie WR Elic Ayomanor has shown flashes of promise, posting 339 receiving yards and a team-high two touchdowns on 29 receptions. However, a catch percentage of 45.3% (sixth-lowest in the league) might suggest that Ayomanor is more of a raw project than a polished receiver.
Another factor that contributes to the Titans’ deplorable offense is their offensive line play. Cam Ward has been pressured and sacked more than any other quarterback in the league so far. There isn’t much use for an o-line that can’t keep their young quarterback upright. On the other hand, given the fact that he averages the third-most time in the pocket (2.4 seconds), some of this can be attributed to Ward’s inexperience and slow processing of defensive coverages. Either way, this Sunday could prove to be a nightmare for whoever lines up opposite All-World edge rusher Myles Garrett.
While Tennessee’s defense doesn’t have a myriad of premier talent, they do have the league’s best defensive tackle in Jeffery Simmons. Simmons has the second-most sacks (6.5) and the highest pass rush win rate (19%) among all interior defensive linemen. He’s shown an ability to not only get to the passer but to do so consistently. Given that Cleveland’s struggles this season against pass rushers, stopping Simmons should be a priority for the offensive line.
Strengths:
- QB Manages A Low INT Rate Despite High Amount Of Attempts
Weaknesses:
- No Reliable Offensive Weapons
- Third-Most Penalized Team In League
- Team Struggles In All Three Phases
This game has been famously (or infamously) referred to as the “toilet bowl” and for good reasons. While it’ll be a matchup between two of the more prolific passers in this year’s rookie class, it’s also a battle between two of the worst teams in the NFL. The Titans’ offense has been even more inept than Cleveland’s this year. The difference is that Cleveland has a top-5 defense to lean on, where Tennessee’s has been a liability most of this season. If the Browns avoid critical mistakes, move the ball downfield, and put consistent pressure on Cam Ward, they should win this game easily. However, as a Browns fan, I’ve seen this team snatch defeat from the jaws of victory numerous times.
Score Prediction:
- CLE- 23
- TEN- 13
The post Week 14 Opponent Scouting Report: Tennessee Titans appeared first on Cleveland Sports Talk .