Browns vs. Titans: 5 Bold predictions for crucial Week 13 AFC matchup
Bold predictions for Browns vs. Titans in a huge AFC matchup in Week 13.
When the Cleveland Browns hype train was gaining too much steam and preparing to go off the tracks heading into last season, it was the Tennessee Titans that provided Freddie Kitchens and fans an enormous wake-up call with a season-opening beatdown. But fast-forward roughly a year and a half to Week 13 of the 2020 NFL season and the two teams are slated to meet again, this time with a much different vibe.
Both the Browns and Titans would be playoff teams if the season ended today as they both head into the contest at Nissan Stadium on Sunday with 8-3 records. While each team has proven their quality with some good wins, however, there are also plenty of doubters still remaining that question the viability of either club.
Subsequently, this Week 13 matchup is going to be a proving ground in the AFC. Which team shows up and makes a statement? Who steps up with a big individual performance? Let’s make five bold predictions for Sunday’s matchup in Nashville as we try to figure that out.
5. Garrett returns to Browns with a 3-sack performance
Cleveland’s star pass-rusher Myles Garrett has missed the team’s past two games after being placed on the COVID/Reserve list for undisclosed reasons. It’s been clear that the defense has missed his presence, even if the team picked up two key victories in those games.
On Sunday, however, Garrett is set to return to the lineup and he should be hungry to make an impact. In the nine games that he’s played this season, the former No. 1 overall pick has been an absolute monster, racking up a team-high 9.5 sacks with 11.5 tackles for loss. It’s not an exaggeration to say that he’s emerged as one of the best defensive ends in the league.
Tennessee has battled injuries on the offensive line this season, most notably to left tackle Taylor Lewan, quite admirably. Though the protection hasn’t been as good as it could be, it’s been getting by. The issue with that in Week 13, however, is that the line hasn’t been matched up with Garrett every week.
Surely fired up to prove himself in a big moment, Garrett is going to put his fingerprints all over this game. He’s going to be a constant force in the backfield and the result will be a titanic — pun intended — three-sack day for the edge rusher.