NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tying up loose ends from the Cleveland Browns' 29-28 win over the Tennessee Titans:
It’s stating the obvious to say the game was a stark contrast between the first and second halves, but it’s also accurate. The Browns had 278 yards and 19 points in the second half compared to 182 yards and 10 points in the first. But they also held Tennessee in the second half. The Titans ran for 120 yards in the first half, but only for 29 yards in the second. The Titans threw for 164 yards the first half versus 97 in the second. They had 16 first downs the first half, but just six the second and did not score in the second half after scoring 28 in the first.
Brian Hoyer's first interception of the season (well, second technically, but the first was negated by penalty) was on a deep throw late in the game on third-and-10 with five minutes left. Hoyer shrugged about it. “As good as a punt,” he said, showing again he recognizes situations and does not play for individual stats. Hoyer simply threw a ball up on a play the Browns were taking a deep shot, hoping for a big play, knowing full well if intercepted it was like punting.
Hoyer’s streak without an interception ended at 189 passes dating back to Sept. 22, 2013. That’s the third-longest streak in team history behind Bernie Kosar (308) and Milt Plum (208).
That interception was the Browns' first turnover of the season.
Several Browns commented on the fan support they had in Tennessee. Many fans made the trip, and at one point the Browns defense was leading the fans, imploring them to make noise when Tennessee had the ball. After the game, safety Jordan Poyer posted this on Twitter:
DAWGPOUND!!!! What a win! Our fans were louder then them on the road!
— Jordan poyer (@J_Poy33) October 5, 2014Of the hit that linebacker Chris Kirksey put on him in the end zone, Titans quarterback Jake Locker said: "I wasn’t expecting to get hit. I kind of thought it was a cheap shot."
The Browns twice had good drives fizzle when they could not convert third- and fourth-down plays down 28-13. On the second, Hoyer’s pass to Jordan Cameron was knocked down as Cameron crossed wide open in the middle of the field. Hoyer said it would have been a touchdown, as did Cameron. “Trust me,” coach Mike Pettine said, “I heard about it from eight different coaches on the headset.”
Long-snapper Christian Yount had to compete to keep his job this past week, then in fitting fashion lined up to make a snap for the game-winning extra point after Hoyer and Travis Benjamin's second touchdown. The snap was perfect. “He basically won his job back this past week,” Pettine said.
The win overshadowed defensive issues that did not go away. Tennessee ran for 149 yards and scored 28 points -- after the Browns had committed during the bye week to stopping the run. The same issues still must be addressed.
Undrafted rookie K'Waun Williams replaced first-round pick Justin Gilbert as the nickelback and had a good game after missing a tackle on an early Tennessee touchdown. His sack of Charlie Whitehurst on the Titans’ final drive was the key to the Browns protecting the win.
