Looking forward to the Titans thread..

[Sez.EJ]

Browns DT Phil Taylor's Week 3 knee sprain is not as serious as initially feared, and coach Pat Shurmur expects the rookie to be "fine."
The initial diagnosis was an MCL sprain -- often a multi-week injury -- but Taylor isn't expected to miss any games. In fact, he only missed three snaps against the Dolphins. Taylor has 18 tackles and a sack through three starts.

Peyton Hillis (strep throat) was able to attend Browns team meetings Monday after sitting out Sunday's game.

It sounds like he's getting better. The Browns likely consider Hillis day to day and probable to start Week 4 against the Titans. Keep in mind that Montario Hardesty is coming off a strong first start. It's certainly possible that Hillis and Hardesty will form a 60:40 rotation, respectively, going forward.

Schefter: McFadden likely to play in Week 4 Good news for both.. Looks like both will be back this week. It would be great to go 3-1 into the bye week. 2 weeks to get ready for that tough road trip out to Oakland.

[Sez.EJ]

Browns CB Sheldon Brown suffered a groin injury in Sunday's win over the Dolphins.
Prior to leaving, Brown was getting picked on by Chad Henne as Joe Haden locked up Brandon Marshall across the field. Brown was replaced by Buster Skrine. His status for Week 4 is unclear.

Josh Cribbs was held out of special teams work Sunday due to a groin injury
Cribbs was healthy enough to get a full complement of snaps at wideout, catching a 33-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter over Sean Smith. But Jordan Norwood and Buster Skrine filled in on returns. Look for Cribbs to miss some more practice time this week

We need Cribbs back returning.. he brings that... WOW factor in.. big plays.. we need a couple a game from him.. just glad he's able to contribute as WR in the meantime.

[Papa Pump]

Titans are missing Kenny Britt so as long as we can reign in Chris Johnson from having a big game we could possibly head into the bye week at 3-1.

[Jax Dawg]

Stoppong Chris Johnson will be the key. He hasn't really got on track yet this year and the the Browns haven't proven they can stop the run consistantly. Could be a bad perfect storm for the Browns. Let's hope not. Getting an early lead and forcing the Titans to become one dimensional would make it easier to get the W.

[Enigmatic Evil]

Agreed, once again we will need the D to step up and contain the run and THE SECONDARY will need to step up as well and contain the pass. Even without Kenny Britt, we can't underestimate Matt Hasselbeck and this Titan's offense. I think this is the best team we've played this season honestly. Of the Bengals, Colts, Dolphins and Titans: The Titans have the best record, the best point differential (+14 to the Bengals +3, ours is -1 by comparison)

Things playing in our favor, Chris Johnson is averaging a meager 2.1 yards a carry... the Browns will need to contain him or this game could give us Miami flashbacks. Miami didn't light us up on the ground but they consistently ran for 5+ yards at will when they handed the ball off to their rookie back. We looked good because they didn't get any big ones on us.

Kenny Britt is gone for the year, that's something we can focus on, that means Haden will likely be paired off against Nate Washington. Britt, Washington and Chris Johnson have caught 51 of Hasselbeck's 78 completions this season so they're down one of those major options. If nobody can step up they're playing with a HUGE gap in their passing game.

Their D has 6 sacks so far this season, we nearly had that many against Miami alone. I hope our line can hold up against their pass-rush, as we NEED to get Colt time to make throws, if he gets out of his element early and he's forced to play aggressive, we could see another ugly game this week.

Edit: Another point, we give our O-line a hard time but opposing teams have only sacked Colt THREE times all season thus far... They're getting pressure on Colt but they're not taking him down.

This is another game we CAN win but we need all the pieces of the team to play their part in order for us to do so. This is by no means a gimme. With any luck we will be heading into the bye week 3-1.... I am not getting my hopes up yet but when's the last time we hit a bye week at .500 even?

[golfer704u]

I unfortuantely expect Chris Johnson to find his legs in this game.

And they are definitely the best team we have played so far. and probably the best we'll play till late in the season.

Colt will have to play much better than he did last week for us to even have a chance.

Titans by 7.

[PlaygroundLegend]

So yeah....

DQJ Has 30 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 1 Forced Fumble in 3 games...

Did someone say probowl?!?!

[Thaid_Up]

Originally Posted by golfer704u

I unfortuantely expect Chris Johnson to find his legs in this game.

And they are definitely the best team we have played so far. and probably the best we'll play till late in the season.

Colt will have to play much better than he did last week for us to even have a chance.

Titans by 7.

Maybe. We've got Oakland(away) and they're showing some play early. That will be 2 teams with excellent running games before/after bye. They've got Pats and Texans before us so hoping they'll be whipped before we get there.

[Brown Warrior]

Right now, Rubin, Haden, and DQJ would have serious shots at the Pro Bowl and Phil Taylor wouldn't be far behind. This I didn't quite realize:

TonyGrossi Tony Grossi
Our third game ball to DE Jayme Mitchell. He beat Jake Long all day. 1.5 sacks, 2 QB hurries, 1 pass deflection, 1 force fumble. A player!

Didn't know that full stat line, man. I'd let him play at 275 (I think he's 285) to stay at that RDE spot. Get quicker, grow/shrink into that role.

Titans are on the road and just lost their #1 WR. Browns offense rounds into form, we finally play a four quarter game, and win.

[Greythan]

We'll win this week because....

I'm going to the game with the same crew that was with me at last year's Pat's game.

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by Greythan

We'll win this week because....

I'm going to the game with the same crew that was with me at last year's Pat's game.

Well I was at last years Pat's game. I go to one game a year and my record over the last 6 years is 5-1.

So I think that was MY win

SO look for a guaranteed win against Jax on Nov. 20 if my wrist heals quick enough from surgery!

[Koa]

Originally Posted by golfer704u

I unfortuantely expect Chris Johnson to find his legs in this game.

What makes you arrive at this opinion?

I'm drinking a little Kool-Aid here, but Rubin and Taylor have proven thus far to eat up interior running lanes while DJQ has the wheels to (at least) contain CJ when and if he decides to kick it outside.

You're also expecting such a result right after the Titans lost their number #1 weapon to stretch our defense. Throw Haden on Nate Washington and Patterson/Skrine should also neutralize whatever scrub they signed off the street... I believe Justin Gage?

We'll be stacking the box to strangle the run, CJ will still be busy deciding what bling to get with his extension, and Washington will be lost on Haden Island.

Browns by 7.