CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 24: David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns reacts before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)Photo: Nick Cammett / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH--- The Cleveland Browns came to play Sunday afternoon, dominating the visiting Tennessee Titans in all 3 phases of the game, winning 27-3. $230 million man Deshaun Watson had quite the bounce back game, completing 27 of his 33 attempts for 289 yards and 2 TDs along with 16 yards on the ground, Watson also didn't turn the ball over.
The big takeaway from this game was the Browns stellar defense lead by defensive end Myles Garrett who finished the game with 3 and a half sacks and a forced fumble. The Browns would set the tone early, forcing Tennessee's offense into back-to-back 3 and outs to start the game. At first, the Browns offense struggled early on, with their first drive ending with a field goal after some trick plays from head coach Kevin Stefanski, but once the 2nd quarter started and Watson threw his first touchdown pass to Jerome Ford, it was on from there. The connection between Watson and Ford was a 19 yard touchdown through the air with 9:39 left in the 2nd quarter. They were set up thanks to a 68 yard defensive pass interference call drawn by Amari Cooper, who also had a great game, pulling in 7 passes for 116 yards including a 45 yard TD pass that would end up being the nail in the coffin for the Titans. Cooper could've and should've had 2 TD on the day, but was robbed of one after being called "out of bounds" earlier in the game on a deep ball where he fought off a tackle. Video replay showed that Cooper was clearly in bounds.
As the second half carried on, the Browns continued to look like a well oiled machine, with Jerome Ford getting his 1st career rushing TD with 5:49 left in the 3rd quarter, his second on the day. The Titans offense simply couldn't get anything going against the Browns defense, Jim Schwartz was incredibly aggressive with his front 7, pressuring Ryan Tannehill all game, at one point in the game in this clip on X , Myles Garrett was drawing double teams and forcing the Titans offense into a scramble all game. Tannehill was sacked 5 times while throwing for 104 yards on 25 attempts. Another incredible feat by the Browns defense was holding one of the best running backs in the NFL , Derrick Henry to only 20 yards, the defensive line for Cleveland was impenetrable all game.
The Browns have 2 tough games ahead of them with the Ravens and 49ers, 2 very true tests for this stellar looking Browns defense, follow along with all Browns news on WTAM.com