The Cleveland Browns are fresh off of a division win against the Baltimore Ravens. They are now in first place in the AFC North and looking to keep that momentum going. Traveling to Nashville and playing the 1-5 Titans could help them do exactly that.
The Tennessee Titans are one of the worst teams in the league this year. However, their defense has been better than some might realize. Moving the ball up and down the field is no sure thing in this game.
If the Browns want to stay on top, then they will have to follow these keys for the offense in week seven.
Neutralize Jeffery Simmons
Simmons is one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL today. He is coming off his third All-Pro season and already has 4.0 sacks through six games. He is a one-man wrecking crew on the interior of the Titans defensive line.
He should demand the attention of double teams, chips, and misdirection to keep him out of the backfield. Force the other players on the defensive line to make plays. Simmons is the one guy that the Browns can’t let beat them.
Move The Ball Slow And Steady
The Titans do not want to give up big plays through the air. In fact, only five teams in the NFL have given up fewer passing plays of 40 yards or more. Their goal is to force offenses to move the ball slowly down the field bit by bit.
This plays into the Browns' favor as an offense that has the 9th fewest passing plays of over 20 yards. While coach Todd Monken might want more chunk plays on offense, this has proven to be a group that will dink and dunk their way down the field. In short, they already want to do what the Titans will try to make them do.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Keys for the Browns' offense in Week 7 against the Titans