The Tennessee Titans take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 5, a matchup that understandably contends for one of the cheapest NFL games of the week. Titans vs Browns tickets have an average price of just $96.75 on the secondary market, which is 25% below the season average for Titans tickets at home this year. The get-in price is just $26. While the Browns have just one win like the Titans, they surprisingly are a better opponent than the eye test suggests, having topped the New Orleans Saints and giving both the Steelers and Ravens a run for their money.
Tennessee, on the other hand, upset the Chiefs in Week 1, but haven’t looked good in any sense of the word in their last three games. As bad as things have gotten for the Titans, there is hope for a turnaround this week, as quarterback Jake Locker (wrist) is expected to make his return. Locker started the season off with a fine showing against the same Chiefs defense that made a mockery of the Patriots last Monday night, so despite two straight bad outings, it might be too early to mail in his 2014 season.
While Locker himself is never the easiest to trust, perhaps Titans fans will embrace Cleveland as a plus matchup. The Browns boast some big name players – most notably stud corner Joe Haden – but really haven’t been an elite defense. They’ve been especially shaky against the pass, which obviously bodes well for Locker. Locker has never been a stalwart when it comes to accuracy or decision-making, but this matchup actually bodes well for him on paper. That is, if he can get/remain on the field in Week 5 and start connecting with his many weapons in the passing game.
The key to winning this Week 5 battle may not rest within Locker’s ability, however, but instead Tennessee’s rushing attack. Their offense has been fairly vanilla to this point, and if they really want to open things up for Locker, they might want to establish the run first to help set up the pass. If they can do that effectively, they can try to control the tempo of this game, which could help spring some big plays. Ideally that would mean finally letting stud second-year receiver Justin Hunter loose. If that happens, the Browns may have their hands full as they try to get their second win of the year in Tennessee.
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