Cam Ward's play has improved under interim head coach Mike McCoy, but they're still looking for their first win since Brian Callahan was fired. (Tennessee Titans)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 1 p.m., in Huntington Bank Field
Record: 1-11.
Last game: Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars, 25-3, November 30, in Nashville, TN.
Coach: Mike McCoy, 0-6, first year; 28-44 overall.
Series record: Browns lead, 37-32 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Browns won, 27-3, September 24, 2023, in Cleveland.
League rankings: Offense is 32nd overall (26th rushing, 30th passing), defense is 24th overall (22nd rushing, 19th passing) and turnover differential is minus-6.
Things to watch
1. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 draft, has endured a difficult first season. He ranks 33rd with a passer rating of 75.2, is fourth with 412 pass attempts, 31st with a completion percentage of 59.7, and has taken more sacks (48) for more yardage (362) than any quarterback. His 7 touchdowns in 412 pass attempts give him the lowest TD percentage (1.7) -- more than 80% less than the next worst (3.1) posted by New Orleans’ Spencer Rattler. Nevertheless, the Titans’ new football leadership is committed to building the organization around Ward and intend to trade down from the top of the coming draft (perhaps more than once) to collect extra picks to fill the team’s numerous holes.
2. Having suffered through two head coaches and three different play-callers through 12 games, Ward’s unsteady rookie season is understandable. The change from Brian Callahan in the first six games to interim coach Mike McCoy, formerly the senior offensive assistant, in the last six games has led to improved play by Ward. His completion percentage went up from 57.8 to 64.3 and his rating increased from 70.7 to 82.8. Under McCoy, the emphasis has been on getting the ball out quicker, taking more downfield shots, and using his legs to create plays.
3. With receiver Calvin Ridley out for the year with a foot injury, Ward’s main targets are mostly rookies – fourth-round receivers Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, and TE2 Gunnar Helm. TE1 Chig Okonkwo is the leading pass catcher with 39 receptions for 406 yards. Tony Pollard is the leading rusher (582 yards, 2 touchdowns).
4. The defense was decimated at the trade deadline when two of the top three cornerbacks and Dre’Mont Jones, the second-best D-lineman, were traded. The Titans are tied for 26th with five interceptions and 13th with 30 sacks. Their best player by far is defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who leads the team with 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 15 quarterback hits.
Did you know … ?
1. Return specialist Chimere Dike is on pace to break the NFL record for all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving and returning) held by Darren Sproles. He leads in punt return average (21.2) and has returned two for touchdowns. A third was nullified by a penalty. The best season average turned in by Deven Hester, the only return specialist in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was 17.1 yards. Dike also leads the NFL in kick return yards (1,282).
2. After firing head coach Brian Callahan on October 13 with a 4-19 record in 1 1/2 seasons, the Titans parted ways with his father, Bill, the legendary offensive line coach and former Browns O-line guru, the next day. Bill Callahan, 69, has not granted any interviews since leaving the Titans but is expected to return to coaching in 2026. He would be one of the most sought-after assistant coaching free agents in the coming hiring cycle.
3. In the last three years, the Titans have fired GM Jon Robinson (December, 2022), hired GM Ran Carthon (January, 2023), fired head coach Mike Vrabel (January, 2024), hired head coach Brian Callahan (January, 2024), fired Carthon (January, 2025), hired GM Mike Borganzi (January, 2025) and fired Callahan (October, 2025). The search for a new head coach will be led by Chad Brinker, president of football operations, and Borganzi. San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and ex-Packers and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, have been mentioned as candidates.
Small world: Guard Kevin Zeitler played for the Browns from 2017-19 … safety Mike Brown played for the Browns in 2022 … receiver James Proche played for the Browns in 2023-24 … linebacker Joe Bachie is from Brook Park … outside linebackers coach Ben Bloom coached with the Browns in 2009-10 and in 2020-23.