Draft talk is a priority for the Tennessee Titans as they land in Cleveland with a 1-17 record in their last 18 games and a seven-game losing streak.
Even at 3-9, the Cleveland Browns enter Sunday’s visiting Titans mathematically eligible for the AFC playoffs. However, the Browns are just 3-15 during the same stretch, a revolving door of losses that has yet to land a franchise quarterback.
While Tennessee (1-11) can drag Cleveland into the elimination ranks with a win, the Titans should know they’ll have to confuse Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders on their own. The rookie, one of two quarterbacks selected by the Browns in the 2025 draft, vowed to remain disciplined in his third career start.
“Sometimes I look for the big play, you know? And I do it when I feel like I’m putting pressure on it,” Sanders said, “when I feel like we need a spark. … So that’s something that I review in myself, and I know in those situations, I can’t do that at times.”
Cleveland’s fifth-round pick in April, Sanders had a touchdown in each of his first two starts, a road win over the Las Vegas Raiders and a home loss to San Francisco in Week 13. After starting 8 of 11 against the 49ers, including a 34-yard touchdown to Harold Fannin Jr. that gave the Browns a second-quarter lead, he led an offense that managed just 76 yards over the final two quarters.
Sanders admitted he’s still working to build trust with his receivers as he navigates what is “not a traditional situation”: joining the roster mid-season. So far, running back Dylan Sampson has the highest receiving output for the Browns during Sanders’ tenure as starter: 59 yards against Las Vegas.
If the order for the 2026 NFL Draft were set based on the current rankings, the Titans would once again hold the top pick. The New York Giants (2-11), New Orleans Saints (2-10) and Raiders (2-10) are still in contention and separate Tennessee from a stack of three-loss teams: the Browns, Jets, Commanders and Cardinals. Arizona is the only team to lose to the Titans this season.
Tennessee is also looking to develop rhythm behind a rookie QB, although this is the top overall selection in April. Cam Ward led the Titans offense to just a Joey Slye field goal in the first quarter last week before the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars scored the final 25 points of the game.
Ward finished 24 of 38 for 141 yards with zero touchdowns or interceptions.
The Titans had lost each of their previous three games by one score.
“Every time you’re on the field, you’re competing and trying to win, and I’ve seen a lot of competitiveness from our group,” Titans left guard Peter Skoronski said. “The guys are still hungry just to win a game. Unfortunately, it’s been a long time.”
Last week’s 22-point loss to the Jaguars was deceptive given that Tennessee held Jacksonville to 272 total yards on 3-of-13 on third downs and locked down running lanes for 70 yards on 27 carries (2.6-yard average). A defense that has three or more sacks in five of the last six games while limiting missed tackles has kept Tennessee afloat.
“You watch these boys hunt every day,” Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said. “No matter the score, no matter the situation, they come to play.”
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett recorded at least one sack in six straight games to raise his career-best total to 19, four sacks short of breaking the league single-season record of 22.5.
Tennessee offensive coordinator Nick Holz talked about taking on the challenge of facing Garrett and leaning on the experience of left tackle Dan Moore Jr., who suited up for the Browns for four seasons as a member of the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Titans in 2025.
“You always want to measure yourself against the best, you know what I mean? We’ll see how we compare,” Holz said. “It’s going to be a big challenge. And he’s not the only good player on their defense.”
Three of the Titans’ four total wins over the past two seasons have come on the road.
Cleveland has won two straight in the series with Tennessee, including a 27-3 home win in Week 3 of 2023.
–Field level media
