Titans trip protection to spoil opener for Baker Mayfield, Browns
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CLEVELAND — The Tennessee Titans gave a much-ballyhooed Cleveland Browns offense all it may deal with resulting in a 43-13 victory Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Exterior linebacker Cameron Wake’s two and a half sacks, one among which was a security, helped spark Tennessee to an early lead after permitting Cleveland to attain on the opening drive. Wake joined the 100-sack membership with the protection within the second quarter.
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The protection virtually scored as a lot as Cleveland’s offense. Wake’s security and Malcolm Butler’s pick-six accounted for 9 factors with the protection holding the Browns to 13 factors. Defensive again Logan Ryan notched his first interception and was a menace whereas blitzing off the sting.
Promising development: The Titans’ protection is the actual deal. After permitting a landing on the primary drive by Cleveland, it saved the Browns out of the top zone till the fourth quarter and compelled 5 punts. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees’ scheme was too bodily for the Browns and pissed off them early. Pees dialed up a sequence of nickel blitzes and paired it with Wake’s stress off the sting to maintain Baker Mayfield below duress, which led to his three interceptions. Anticipate to see the Titans proceed to dial up the blitz to get stress on the quarterback.
Titans linebacker Cameron Wake sacks Baker Mayfield for a security on Sunday. Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports activities
QB breakdown: Marcus Mariota was below plenty of stress however did an excellent job discovering his receivers. He stood as much as the go rush and delivered the ball down the sphere to rookie wideout A.J. Brown twice, main to a few receptions for 100 yards. Mariota additionally discovered Henry for a 75-yard catch-and-run on a display screen go that tied for the longest completion in his profession. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith referred to as a few designed quarterback runs, permitting Mariota to additionally exhibit his speeding skill.
Pivotal play: Henry’s 75-yard landing got here on the excellent time for the Titans within the third quarter. Cleveland had simply scored on a Three-yard go from Mayfield to David Njoku. The play minimize the Titans’ result in 15-13 following an additional level and introduced life again into what had been a really silent crowd. However all the Browns’ momentum was misplaced on Henry’s landing that prolonged the result in 22-13.
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Derrick Henry punches in a brief TD within the first half after which takes a go from Marcus Mariota 75 yards to the top zone for his 2nd TD on the day.
Key takeaway: The Titans might have discovered the reply for his or her usually pedestrian offense. The balanced recreation plan by Smith enhances Tennessee’s protection. The protection was third in scoring protection (19 factors per recreation) final season and appears like will probably be in a position to hold that very same tempo for many of the season. Tennessee’s offense scored 31 factors towards a proficient Browns protection. The Titans will likely be a pressure if they’ll handle to common at the least 24 factors per recreation.