The Cleveland Browns appeared to be in an excellent position to pick up their fourth victory of the season as they hosted the lowly Tennessee Titans. The visitors had won just one game all season, but there was no give up from rookie quarterback Cam Ward. The Titans jumped out to an early lead and then built a 14-point fourth-quarter lead. The Browns rallied with a couple of late touchdowns but the Titans held on for a 31-29 victory.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski appeared to put his team at a major disadvantage while his team surged to get back into the game. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders scored on a 7-yard scramble up the middle to cut into the 14-point lead with 4:27 remaining. However, instead of kicking the extra point that would have pulled the Browns within 7 points, Stefanski opted to go for two points and the attempt failed.
The Browns regained possession and Sanders hit Harold Fannin with a 7-yard TD pass with 1:03 remaining. Stefanski again attempted a two-point conversion, but he pulled Sanders off the field and a pass by running back Quinshon Judkins was unsuccessful.
If the Browns had merely kicked the extra point after both touchdowns, the Browns would have tied the score. Stefanski was cryptic in his explanation as to why he pulled his quarterback on the critical play.
“Obviously it did not go as we thought it would,” Stefanski said after the game. “We didn’t come through. That’s on me.”
Titans unleash strong running attack
The Titans were able to win for the first time since beating the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5. Running back Tony Pollard had a sensational game for the victors. He had 25 carries for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a spectacular 65-yard run.
Sanders was sharp for the Browns. He completed 23 of 42 passes for 364 yards with 3 TDs and 1 interception. Fannin was his leading receiver, as he caught 8 passes for 114 yards and a TD.
