Browns at Titans: Game preview, odds, prediction

Will the Cleveland Browns get their first win of the season at the expense of the Tennessee Titans? This shapes up as a very intriguing contest.

When the Cleveland Browns travel to Nashville to face the favored Tennessee Titans this week, is there any question who the team’s starting quarterback will be? All signs point to rookie Cody Kessler getting the nod, despite leaving last Sunday’s 33-13 loss to the New England Patriots with an apparent rib injury.

“As I said (Sunday), there’s nothing broken (for Kessler),” said Browns head coach Hue Jackson to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com earlier this week. “There’s a good chance that he’ll have an opportunity to be out there this week.”

If not, could we see veteran Josh McCown back for the first time since Week 2? Given the team’s bad luck at the position this season (and others), it’s a situation that bears watching. Reserve Charlie Whitehurst was also banged up last week, adding to a somewhat muddled situation.

Odds

Line: Titans (-7)

Over/Under: 43.5

Yes, the mediocre Cleveland defense will be hard-pressed to slow down both Titans’ running back DeMarco Murray and quarterback Marcus Mariota, the latter leaning on tight end Delanie Walker.

But the story this week is the Tennessee defense and coordinator Dick LeBeau, who will give Kessler and/or McCown plenty to think about. This unit has totaled 12 sacks in five contests and exactly half of those have come from outside linebacker Brian Orakpo.

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So don’t be surprised if the Titans’ pass rush has a big day and Jackson’s club has problems hanging onto the football. It also wouldn’t be a shock to see the Browns fail to dent the end zone. This is a golden opportunity for Mularkey and his young club to get back to .500 and they’ll get the job done – if they’re not looking ahead to the rival Indianapolis Colts next week.

Pick: Tennessee 23, Cleveland 9