Shedeur Sanders set to lead Browns against Titans’ struggling defense
Shedeur Sanders will take the helm as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns once again this week when they host the Tennessee Titans. This marks the third consecutive week that Sanders has led the Browns’ offense, and he carries a record of 1-1 as a starter.
With a current season record of 3-9, the Browns find themselves in a similar predicament as the Titans, who are languishing at 1-11. The Titans, in their quest for stability, selected Cam Ward as the first overall pick in this past year’s draft, hoping he would become the franchise cornerstone. However, the victories have yet to materialize for Tennessee, which prompted the firing of head coach Brian Callahan following a lackluster 1-5 start to the season and a disappointing 3-14 record the previous year.
In response, the Titans turned to senior offensive assistant Mike McCoy as their interim head coach. McCoy, who has been closely observing the league’s young quarterbacks, shared his thoughts on Sanders earlier today.
McCoy on Sanders’ potential
“A very talented player,” McCoy remarked, providing insight into his evaluation of Sanders. He acknowledged the dual nature of young quarterbacks, noting, “Like a lot of the young players, there’s going to be the good and the bad. I think the one thing you’ve seen him do is when he gets out of the pocket, the explosive plays that he can make. He’s done a nice job. Each week, as a young player, you get better the more experience you get.”
McCoy’s praise reflects a keen understanding of the challenges faced by rookie quarterbacks, particularly as he has closely followed Cam Ward’s rookie season. His comments highlight Sanders’ ability to create big plays outside the pocket, a crucial skill that could be pivotal against a struggling Titans defense.
Tennessee’s defensive struggles
In this matchup, Sanders may find ample opportunities to exploit Tennessee’s defensive weaknesses. The Titans rank near the bottom of the league in several critical defensive statistics. They surrender an average of 27.3 points per game, the fourth-most in the NFL, and allow an average of 345.8 total yards per game, placing them ninth in that category.
While they perform slightly better against the pass, giving up 218.3 passing yards per game, which is around the middle of the pack, their run defense is concerning. They allow 127.6 rushing yards per game and have given up a staggering 36 touchdowns this season—the fourth-most in the league.
As the Browns prepare to face the Titans, all eyes will be on Sanders to see if he can capitalize on these defensive vulnerabilities, potentially leading Cleveland to a much-needed victory.
