The Cleveland Browns are finally favored in a game this season, getting the advantage from oddsmakers on the road against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Yet, the spread is only around 1.5 points, which is an indication of how close it is expected to be.
That may be somewhat surprising, with the Browns in first place in the AFC North after winning four of their past five games. Meanwhile, the Titans opened the season with a five-game losing streak before finally breaking through with a victory against the Indianapolis Colts.
So, with a bigger threat looming than might first appear, two Browns players who could have big games on Sunday are wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and rookie safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
For all of their faults, the Titans’ defense under head coach Robert Saleh has pretty much held its own. Tennessee ranks 19th in total defense, but it does have a weakness that Cleveland can exploit.
The Titans are one of the worst teams in the league at defending opposing wide receivers. Their 83 receptions allowed are the fourth-most, and their 1,052 yards given up are the sixth-most, even though the targets against them are the 14th-most.
Jeudy may have turned his season, and his future with the Browns, around with four catches for 69 yards last week against the Baltimore Ravens. It included a key 33-yard reception on the game-winning field goal drive.
Now, with rookie receivers KC Concepcion (calf/quad) and Denzel Boston (foot) dealing with minor injuries, Jeudy may have to take on a bigger role. Earlier this season, he was an afterthought in the passing game, which led to trade rumors.
On defense, McNeil-Warren’s snap count has increased in each of the past five games, reaching a season-high of 54 against the Ravens after Grant Delpit left the game with a possible concussion and a shoulder injury. The second-round pick from the 2026 NFL Draft took advantage of the opportunity with a career-high six combined tackles, and he almost had his first NFL interception, but he dropped the potential pick-six.
Now, with Delpit listed as questionable, the veteran may be limited, giving McNeil-Warren another chance to make an impact.
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