Cleveland’s Defense Could Put Cam Ward Under Pressure in Week 7

WHO:

ClevelandBrowns.com - Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg called Denzel Ward “one of the best players in the NFL” and praised his unselfishness and desire to keep helping the defense.

NY Post - The Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans are the teams discussed in the Week 7 matchup; quarterbacks named in the headline are Cam Ward and Deshaun Watson.

Fox News - The Browns entered the matchup with a 4-2 record; the Titans had won their first game of the season.

ClevelandBrowns.com - Jared Verse, identified as a defensive end, praised Ward as “a very good quarterback” and said the Browns’ job was to “make him the worst version of himself.”

ClevelandBrowns.com - Linebacker Carson Schwesinger said Ward had developed, could extend plays, and required the Browns to continue their approach to stopping mobile quarterbacks.

ClevelandBrowns.com - Head coach Todd Monken described Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons as explosive, smart, instinctive, and situationally aware.

ClevelandBrowns.com - Offensive coordinator Travis Switzer said the Browns needed to execute earlier and praised Tennessee’s defensive line, particularly Simmons.

WHAT:

ClevelandBrowns.com - Denzel Ward recorded his 20th career interception by picking off a Cam Ward pass intended for Elic Ayomanor late in the second quarter. The play set up Cleveland’s second touchdown of the first half.

ClevelandBrowns.com - The interception was Ward’s second of the season; his first came against Pittsburgh. Before the matchup, he had 25 tackles, one quarterback hit, three passes defensed, and two forced fumbles.

ClevelandBrowns.com - Cleveland’s Week 7 inactives were quarterback Taylen Green, linebacker Justin Jefferson, cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, running back Audric Estime, defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., and center Parker Brailsford.

ClevelandBrowns.com - Cleveland entered Week 7 atop the AFC North; Tennessee was fourth in the AFC South.

Sportskeeda - Fans called for Deshaun Watson to be benched, with one saying he had “been awful for 3 weeks in a row.”

Fox News - Cleveland’s two losses were both on the road: a loss to Jacksonville in Week 1 and a 17-12 loss to the Jets, in which Cleveland did not score a touchdown. The Browns then won three straight against Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Pittsburgh, followed by a buzzer-beating win over Baltimore.

Fox News - Three of Tennessee’s five losses before its first win were by one score.

Heavy NFL - Browns cornerback Denzel Ward will play against Tennessee.

Fox News - Cleveland’s defense allowed 20.3 points per game, ranked eighth in passing defense, and allowed 112.3 rushing yards per game. The article recommended Cleveland on the moneyline at -130.

ClevelandBrowns.com - Ward completed 109 of 177 passes for 998 yards and four touchdowns, rushed for 66 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, threw four interceptions, and was sacked 10 times through six games.

ClevelandBrowns.com - The Browns were tied for second in the league with 19 sacks, had 44 quarterback hits and four interceptions. The Titans were tied for 31st, averaging 14 points per game.

ClevelandBrowns.com - Cleveland averaged 17.7 points per game, tied for 28th, and had recorded four game-winning drives. The team had 95 first downs, 54 by passing.

ClevelandBrowns.com - Tennessee allowed 220.6 passing yards per game, the 16th most, and 122.5 rushing yards per game, the 12th most.

ClevelandBrowns.com - Simmons had four sacks, six tackles for loss, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. John Franklin-Myers had 1.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 12 tackles; Jermaine Johnson II had three sacks, four tackles for loss, and 16 tackles.

WHERE:

ClevelandBrowns.com - The Browns announced their inactives for the matchup at Nissan Stadium.

ClevelandBrowns.com - Cleveland traveled to Nashville to play Tennessee, beginning a three-game road stretch.

Fox News - Cleveland’s defense was described as stronger than Tennessee’s; the teams were characterized as likely to play a defensive battle.

WHEN:

ClevelandBrowns.com - Both teams were coming off divisional wins in Week 6: Cleveland beat Baltimore, and Tennessee beat Indianapolis.

WHY:

ClevelandBrowns.com - The Browns aimed to pressure Ward up front and cover receivers to make him hold the ball longer and limit Tennessee’s scoring.

ClevelandBrowns.com - Cleveland sought to establish its offensive rhythm earlier by communicating, executing, and balancing running and passing plays.

HOW:

ClevelandBrowns.com - Cleveland planned to counter Tennessee’s attack-style defensive front by relying on offensive-line technique and execution while keeping Watson’s pocket clean.

The Cleveland Browns beat the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, with cornerback Denzel Ward making a pivotal play: his 20th career interception. Ward picked off Cam Ward late in the second quarter, setting up Cleveland’s second touchdown of the half. Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg called him one of the NFL’s best and praised his unselfishness. Cleveland entered the matchup with a 4-and-2 record, atop the AFC North, while Tennessee was coming off its first win after five losses. The Browns had won four straight, including a buzzer-beating victory over Baltimore, and were beginning a three-game road stretch. Cleveland’s defense ranked eighth against the pass and had recorded 19 sacks, while Tennessee averaged 14 points per game. The Browns focused on pressuring Cam Ward and containing his mobility. Offensively, they aimed to find their rhythm earlier and keep Deshaun Watson’s pocket clean against Jeffery Simmons and Tennessee’s defensive front.