If playing quarterback for the Cleveland Browns isn’t the worst job in sports, it has to rank right up there. Not only because the team stinks, but playing the position is an obvious health risk. Already down to their No. 3 guy, the Browns lost Cody Kessler for the game with an injury and his backup also was hurt. The position has been a carousel and the Browns could always turn to Johnny Manziel if they get really desperate. They won’t sink that low against the Tennessee Titans in a Week 6 matchup.
Watch this regular season Week 6 matchup live on Sunday, October 16, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at Nissan Stadium.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Cleveland Browns +7
Tennessee Titans -7
Over/Under 45
Odds Analysis
There has been movement on the line forced by over 70 percent of the wagers on the Titans. The line opened at Tennessee -6 but that was quickly wagered to -7 with the Browns not having a healthy quarterback. It looks like Kessler is in line for the nod, but he hasn’t been a jolt of confidence for Cleveland backers.
Injury Report
Cody Kessler – The Browns third-stringer was forced into action with injuries to Robert Griffin III and Luke McCown, now he is suffering after getting blasted last week. Kessler sustained an injury to his chest and ribs and was lifted in Sunday’s game in favor of journeyman Charlie Whitehurst. X-rays on Kessler were negative and there is a possibility he could play, however his effectiveness will be limited.
Player to Watch
When Mike Mularkey took over as permanent coach of the Titans, he vowed his team would improve its run game to take some pressure of Marcus Mariota. Tennessee then acquired former offensive player of the year DeMarco Murray and drafted Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry and upgraded the offensive line to aid the ground attack. The plan wasn’t to take the ball out of Mariota’s hands, rather to help him be more efficient in the offense. The results have been mixed, but they are getting better, especially after last week’s dominant performance against the Dolphins.
Things will not always go as smoothly as they did in Tennessee’s 30-17 win at Miami, but it did offer a glimpse into what the Titans can do. Murray ran for 121 yards, his second 100-yard game in the last three, and his success opened things up for Mariota in the passing game. It also helped that the Dolphins offered no resistance on defense. The line kept Mariota’s jersey without a grass stain and the former Heisman winner had his most productive day this year. Tennessee will have an opportunity to keep things rolling against a Browns defense that was torched by Tom Brady and the Patriots for 501 yards and ranks in the bottom third in every major defensive category.
Free ATS Pick
The Titans are trying to take the next step and get back into the thick of the AFC South race. The way Houston is playing, the division is wide open and the Titans have a great shot to inch closer. But, like we’ve seen in the past, the Titans have yet to turn that corner. Cleveland is a team that Tennessee should beat, but that’s not always a given with this club. This Titans team is different, though. They are hungry and confident after blowing out the Dolphins last week.
Cleveland is just looking for something positive to happen after a disastrous opening to the season. The quarterback situation is mess so we could expect to see a lot of Terrelle Pryor, which will make for some exciting moments, but doesn’t give the Browns and increased chance of winning the ball game. Tennessee’s defense has been surprisingly good and a bit overlooked with all the talent in the offensive backfield. Mariota was solid last week and has looked more comfortable in the new scheme. With Murray running like his old Cowboys self, the field opens up and Mariota has the accuracy to pick the Browns apart.
NFL Odds: Titans 27, Browns 15
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