The Cleveland Browns are off to a good start in 2026 with a 5-2-0 record. But not to beat a dead horse, the loss to the lowly New York Jets two games ago shows that good teams must take home victories against the bad clubs, namely the Tennessee Titans.
Coming into this contest, Cleveland has wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, who share the division lead with the Browns.
RELATED: BROWNS VS. TITANS RECAP
Tennessee came into this matchup as being known as either the worst team in the league
or at least the second-worst. At 1-6-0, one has to wonder how they were able to muster a single victory and perhaps have their sights on the first overall draft pick. But that is how these lesser teams will sneak up and take away a win that the Browns need.
Cleveland got back quite a few of their injured players, including their top two running backs, Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. Good thing, because this Browns’ run game has been awful.
In the end, the Browns drove down with just 58 seconds on the clock and got into field goal range, and K Andre Szmyt booted his second successful kick of the game to win it 27-24.
So, who played well for the Browns? Who didn’t?
BROWNIES (Winners)
WR KC Concepcion – When the Texas A&M receiver was taken at the bottom of the first round in this year’s draft, there were questions about his size and whether other receivers on the board were better options. Today, he balled out to the tune of 129 yards on just eight receptions. No touchdown catches, but he had key first-down receptions all game. With 7:03 left in the first quarter, a screen pass was led up front by OT Spencer Fano and C Elgton Jenkins, which gained 38 yards.
Midway through the second quarter, Concepcion crossed all the way across the field to catch the pass that gained 17 yards. On the Browns’ next possession, he took it for 21 yards to Cleveland’s 45. Two plays later, he beat the CB Marcus Harris for 32 yards to the Titans 20-yard line that would set up a touchdown. Concepcion did drop a sure touchdown on a perfect throw from QB Deshaun Watson in the third quarter on a third-and-five. With 5:06 remaining in the contest, Concepcion took the jet sweep for 18 yards that landed the Browns on Tennessee’s nine-yard line. On the next play, Watson scampered to go ahead 24-17. 10 targets, 8 receptions for 129 yards.
TE Harold Fannin – For most of the game, Fannin got a pass here and there. A 12-yard gain in the first quarter. Converted a third-and-five late in the second quarter for 21 yards that set up the field goal right before the half. A lost fumble. But the game’s biggest play was his rumble-and-stumble on the final drive, as he gained 36 yards and took the ball from Cleveland’s 37 to the Titans’ 19-yard line. Was it Fannin’s YAC abilities, or the failure of the Tennessee defense to bring Fannin down? We don’t know, or care. When they finally tackled him, the Browns were in field goal range. Nine targets, six catches for 91 yards and a 15.2 average per catch. Are we all in agreement that Fannin hasn’t been used enough?
LB Quincy Williams – This dude was everywhere. Great defense on the second, third, and fourth down attempts from the one right before the half. He is credited with the stop on second down. Hit Pollard for a one-yard gain early in the second quarter. On Tennessee’s first possession of the third quarter, Williams busted through after reading run and nailed Pollard for a two-yard loss. Two plays later on a third-and-one, he combined with DE Isaiah McGuire to stop Pollard on a run up the middle for no gain. The Titans had a third-and-14 in the third quarter, and after the completion to TE Daniel Bellinger, Williams made the stop after just four yards that forced a punt. Tied for the lead in tackles with 10.
QB Deshaun Watson – Let’s all say it: Watson played a great game. Not always pretty or perfect, but he played well. The long ball to Concepcion that was dropped was a perfect toss. His touchdown run was like his Clemson days. He had a ton of throws that ended up going for 20+ in this game and found open receivers. Excellent sneak in the second quarter.
And his ability to escape the pocket was incredible. Only one sack, and yet it could have been 7 or 8. The interception was just plain dumb; yeah, we get it. And he completely stared down WR Denzel Boston, and the defender just waited. The rookie receiver, as Monken noted, also didn’t run the proper route. After Tennessee tied the game at 24-all, Watson had 58 ticks left on the clock. Six-yard completion followed by eight yards. Then the strike to Fannin, who did the rest. Amazing with almost no time. 25 for 36 for 308 yards, no TD passes, one pick, one TD run, sacked just once, with an 84.0 QB rating. Three rushes for 19 yards and a score. No quit in this dude.
Offensive line – If you paid any attention to the offensive line when it was a passing play, the pocket remained intact for most of the game. Watson had plenty of time to survey the field and was the reason that there were so many long catch-and-run plays. LG Zion Johnson had a couple of penalties, so that is concerning. But guys like Fano, Jenkins, and RT Tytus Howard kept guys out of the backfield. OT Dawand Jones did a good job once he spelled Howard. Just one sack all game is not like the Browns are used to. Remember, it wasn’t long ago that the New York Jets grilled Watson for eight sacks. Great game for this group.
Starting running backs – Funny how when your #1 and #2 running backs return, the running game suddenly exists. Quinshon Judkins was a beast, and later Dylan Sampson reeled off some big gains. It began in the first quarter on first down when Judkins took off for 30 yards with Fano leading the way to the Titans’ 5-yard line, and then scored on the very next play.
The six-yard TD run in Quarter 2 was through the hole developed by Fano and LG Williams. Judkins bullied his way for a first down on a second-and-one early in the third quarter. He took a short pass from Watson as the period was winding down, and on the next play exploded for 15 yards down to Tennessee’s 31. 17 carries for 96 yards, two scores, and a 5.6 average per carry. Sampson dinked and dunked in the first half and was an afterthought, which left him rested for the final two quarters. He went 22 yards late in the third quarter, which got Cleveland almost to midfield. Then had the all-important 19-yard run with 5:59 left in the game that got the Browns to Tennessee’s 27. Sampson had 6 rushes for 45 yards. Welcome back, fellas.
Defense fourth-and-one stop – The Titans scored a touchdown, but it was ruled the runner’s elbow was down short of the goal line. The ball was placed at the one. Second down, LB Williams and Sam Kamara stood up QB Cam Ward for no gain. On third down, Adin Huntington was credited with a sack when he stopped Ward for minus a half-yard. That brings up fourth down. Titans kick a field goal, right? Nope. The ball was snapped, and DE Jared Verse came for the right side and grabbed the legs of Pollard, who was leaping. This stopped all of his momentum, and then LB Winston Reid made the stop. Turnover on downs, and another feather in the defense’s cap.
FROWNIES (Losers)
Playing down – The Titans came into the game with a single win and were considered to be one of the three worst teams in the league. Yet, they stayed with Cleveland, had a lead early, ran the ball with consistency, converted key third downs, and had a good drive late to tie the game. Their lack of good tackling showed up on Fannin’s run, but otherwise, they played well. The problem? The Browns didn’t blow them out, or even come close. Good teams beat the opponents they should, and it took every last second to defeat a bottom-barrel club. The Browns had 26 first downs to Tennessee’s 18, had more time of possession, and outpaced them in the air, 306 yards to 181.
Red Zone – The Browns went 3-5 in the Red Zone. Good teams come away with points.
Turnovers, third-down efficiency, and penalties – Two turnovers, and Cleveland still can’t get out of their way with the penalties, collecting eight for 48 yards, and one that wasn’t accepted. The false starts are a killer, and the 12 men on the field? Who missed the count on that play? This gave the Titans a first down on the fourth-and-one in the third quarter instead of a punt situation. Cleveland was a horrible 5-11 on third downs.
Milk Bones – If you can’t afford brakes, get a louder horn
S Ronnie Hickman – The safeties were very busy. Saved a touchdown in the second quarter when WR Carnell Tate took the crossing route and had plenty of real estate in front of him before Hickman dragged him down. Recovered the key fumble in the third quarter, but had to wrestle it away. Tied for the most tackles in the game with 10.
CB Denzel Ward – Great interception. Missed the tackle that would have brought RB Tony Pollard down for minimal gain on the Titans’ first touchdown, which he went for 36 yards instead. Had three tackles and three pass defenses.
DE Sam Williams – Playing on a rotational basis, Williams nailed Pollard in the first quarter for a three-yard loss on the Titans’ third possession, already holding a 14-7 lead. This series resulted in a punt. Early in the second quarter, he beat RT J.C. Latham and caught Pollard for a two-yard loss. Finished with five total tackles, two tackles for loss, and one QB hit.
Special teams – K Andre Szmyt converted two of three field goals, including the easy 32-yarder that iced the game. The 43-yard kick he missed would have changed the entire complexion of the game late in the second quarter and was a makable kick. Punt coverage teams were exceptional all day, highlighted by Tylan Wallace, Reid, and Huntington. P Corey Bojorquez had a good day, kicking just three punts for an average of 48.0 yards with one touchback and a long of 59 yards. RB Jaleel McLaughlin’s five kickoff returns didn’t show much, as he fielded five kicks for a 23.4 yards-per-return average. The 12 men on the field penalty negated a good defensive stand and gave the Titans a first down instead of being in punt formation. Every special teams play, somebody counts players. Who missed this?
CB Myles Harden – Much-improved game this week. Four tackles, one pass defense, and one tackle for loss.
Who were your winners and losers for the Browns’ Week 7 victory over the Titans?
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