Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns: Staff predictions for Week 1
Our staff has made its predictions for the Tennessee Titans’ Week 1 matchup with the Cleveland Browns.
The Tennessee Titans’ 2019 season is finally here, and it’s time for our staff to go out on a limb and make their predictions for the Week 1 showdown with the Cleveland Browns.
Interestingly enough, our staff is split down the middle on who is going to take home a victory on Sunday. That’s a far cry from the direction in which most experts are going with their picks.
Let’s take a look.
Will Lomas (Co-expert)
I think Cleveland has been artificially pumped up because of the OBJ move and because of optimism on quarterback Baker Mayfield. However, they also gave up one of the best interior offensive lineman in the NFL and made their weakness even weaker. That combined with a rookie head coach and big personalities could really hurt the Browns more than people think.
Having said that, the complete mishandling of the offensive line situation is tough to overlook for the Titans and Marcus Mariota will be playing in a somewhat new offense with three skill position players that didn’t really play with him last year. That plus the question marks on special teams (Succop, PR) and being on the road give the Browns a very slight edge.
Final score prediction: Browns 21, Titans 20
Michael Moraitis (Co-expert)
Forever the optimist with this 2019 Titans team, I’m not letting a few hiccups prior to Week 1 change that. I truly believe this Titans defense is a championship-caliber group.
Yes, the Titans will likely be without two starting offensive lineman, and yes this Browns pass-rush is scary and should give the Titans fits, however the Browns have their own issues on the offensive line. The Titans are going to get plenty of pressure on Baker Mayfield to keep the Browns offense in check.
This game will come down to one big defensive play, and I think the Titans make that play. A late interception as a result of pressure on Mayfield gives the Titans a game-winning field goal at the end of regulation.
Final score prediction: Titans 20, Browns 17
John Lowell (Contributor)
Promoting offensive lineman Aaron Stinnie from the practice squad doesn’t bode well for OL Kevin Pamphile’s availability at right guard. Already down their best offensive lineman in LT Taylor Lewan, the Titans can’t afford to have any more ambiguity in the trenches.
Especially against a Browns’ team that is arguably better on the defensive side of the ball — on paper — than they are on offense.
I don’t see a scenario where the Titans are able to slow down the Browns pass rush, and Marcus Mariota will suffer. This game should be closer than most think, but despite a great effort, the Titans cannot overcome the absence of their pro-bowl left tackle and fall in Cleveland.
Prediction: Browns win
Shaun Calderon (Contributor)
The Tennessee Titans open up the 2019 season in Cleveland as they take on arguably the team that has received the most hype since March. Many in the national media are penciling the Browns in for an easy win on Sunday. Those people clearly have not seen this Dean Pees-led Titans defense play.
The Titans’ defense may not have the household names that the Browns offense does, however, history tells us that they definitely have the production to go toe-to-toe with anyone. If Marcus Mariota and the rest of the Titans offense is able to be productive against a stout Browns defense, I fully expect the Titans to come away with a win that will surely put the rest of the league on notice.
Final score prediction: Titans 23, Browns 17