Titans Browns Spread

Written by Jack Jones

Two surprising teams through the first three weeks of the 2011 NFL season have been the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns. Both squads have opened with 2-1 records despite being picked to finish last or next-to-last in their respective divisions. These former AFC Central rivals will go at it Sunday at 1:00 EST in Cleveland. They last met in 2008, with the Titans winning at home 28-9 to clinch the AFC South title. Their last meeting in Cleveland was back in 2005, with the Browns winning 20-14 to put an end to a four-game home skid against the Titans franchise.

Odds makers believe this game could go either way, listing Cleveland and Tennessee as a Pick ‘Em with a total set of 38.5 points.

Tennessee

Matt Hasselbeck has shined in his first three games in a Tennessee uniform. He guided the Seattle Seahawks to six playoff appearances and to Super Bowl XL, but was considered by be washed up after missing a lot of time over the last few seasons with injuries. Hasselbeck celebrated his 36th birthday in style last Sunday, leading the Titans to a 17-14 home victory over Denver behind a 311-yard passing performance. He nearly led them back in Week 1, but fell short 14-16 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also guided the Titans to the most shocking result in Week 2, beating the Baltimore Ravens 26-13 at home.

Hasselbeck is third in the league in completion percentage (69.6 percent) while throwing for 932 yards and five touchdowns to two interceptions. Things may get much more difficult for Tennessee’s quarterback without the luxury of top receiver, Kenny Britt. He was the AFC leader after Week 2 with 271 receiving yards, but suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee against the Broncos. Britt will be out for the rest of the season, leaving Nate Washington as the new go-to guy. Washington has caught 21 balls for 258 yards and a score through three games. The Titans went out and signed Donnie Avery at receiver, though he’ll likely play behind Damien Wilkins.

While Hasselbeck and the 6th-ranked passing offense (300.7 yards/game) is making most of the headlines, it’s their defense that has really been carrying this team. The Titans are 1st in the league in total defense (261.0 yards/game), including 2nd in passing (172.0 yards/game) and 8th in rushing (89.0 yards/game). They will have their hands full with a Cleveland team that likes to pound the rock. Tennessee really needs to get their running game going as they are dead last in rushing (51.7 yards/game). Chris Johnson has been limited to 98 yards on 46 carries (2.1/rush) and has yet to find the end zone.

Cleveland

The Browns let one slip away in their opener, falling 27-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals. It appeared like it was going to be another long season in Cleveland, but they have responded very well over the past few weeks. They went into Indianapolis and came away with a 27-19 road victory in Week 2, then came from behind to beat the Miami Dolphins 17-16 last week. Colt McCoy was just 19 of 39 passing for 210 yards against Miami, but he was clutch down the stretch. McCoy completed 9 of 13 for 75 yards on a game-winning, 13-play drive that concluded with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Mohamed Massaquoi with just 43 seconds remaining.

The Browns haven’t opened a season at 3-1 in a decade, which is the feat they’ll be trying to accomplish Sunday. On the season, McCoy is completing 54.1 percent of his passes for 634 yards and five touchdowns to two interceptions. Peyton Hillis is their leading rusher with 151 yards on 44 carries (3.4/rush) with two touchdowns. Hillis had to sit out last week with a severe case of strep throat, so Montario Hardesty got the nod. Hardesty rushed 14 times for 67 yards in his first NFL start, showing that the Browns actually have two capable backs from here, forward. Hillis is expected to return to action against the Titans.

McCoy has been spreading the ball around quite a bit thus far. His favorite target has been tight end Benjamin Watson, who has 10 catches for 125 yards and a score. Mohamed Massaquoi leads all wide receivers with eight receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown. Cleveland ranks just 26th in total offense (289.3 yards/game), but their defense has been solid. The Browns are 9th in total defense (316.0 yards/game), including 3rd against the pass (187.3 yards/game). Chris Johnson will have a decent chance to get on track against a Browns defense that is 29th against the run (128.7 yards/game).

Betting Trends

The Titans have lost six straight on the road, going 1-5 ATS in the process. Tennessee is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a win, and 5-12 ATS in their last 17 vs. a team with a winning record.

This has been a profitable month over the last few years for Cleveland, as they are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games in October, including a perfect 6-0 ATS in their last 6 Week 4 games. The Browns are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games, though.

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