Share and Follow
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — This Sunday in Cleveland, the clash isn’t just between the Titans (1-11) and the Browns (3-9), but also a personal showdown between two emerging quarterbacks, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.
Both Ward and Sanders spent time training together prior to the NFL Draft. However, their paths diverged sharply on draft day—Ward was selected as the first overall pick while Sanders unexpectedly fell to the fifth round.
Ward has been at the helm for the Titans from the start of the season, while Sanders has recently taken over starting duties for the Browns, leading the team to a victory against the Raiders (24-10) and falling short against San Francisco (26-8). Sanders’ performance has been steady, managing to secure a win despite the challenges.
Shedeur Sanders Starts
- At Las Vegas – (11-20) 209 Yards, TD, INT
- Vs San Francisco – (16-25) 149 Yards, TD
Despite the media focus on their individual rivalry, both quarterbacks have attempted to shift the spotlight away from their direct competition. However, Ward’s comments suggest this is more than just another game for him.
“We’ve been in plenty of battles, from our college days to now. He’s a talented quarterback,” Ward remarked. “It’s exciting to see how far we’ve both come, not just in the sport but personally. I’m eager to see what he brings to the field.”
Ward is coming off a game where he and the Titans’ offense massively struggled, putting up only three points in a home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and this week, he faces an even bigger test in the Cleveland defense and their star defensive end Myles Garrett, who leads the NFL with a terrifying 19 sacks this season.
“Probably the best player that there is at that position,” Ward said. “And he’s proved that game in and game out. So we got to do our job of not letting him affect the game each and every play. Try to keep a lid on it and just got to continue to execute our plays and just try to execute up and down the field.”
NFL Sack Leaders
- Myles Garrett (19)
- Brian Burns (13)
- Micah Parsons (12.5)
The responsibility of blocking Garrett primarily belongs to left tackle Dan Moore Jr., who is probably better prepared than any other Titan. Moore played against him twice a year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Mike McCoy knows it is, in some ways, mission impossible.
“Playing like someone like Myles (Garrett), who’s playing at MVP-level, the sack numbers are through the roof. It’s a great challenge. But the tackles can’t do it on their own. It’s going to be—you’ve got to be able to run the football. You’ve got to be able to have presence over there for him. Cam’s (Ward) got to make good, quick decisions,” McCoy said.
The Titans’ defense is looking for turnovers, but they have not been coming frequently for the two-tone blue. The defense has not forced a turnover in either of the last two games. The Browns’ offensive line has surrendered four sacks in the last two games and will be without tackle Jack Conklin this week due to injury.
Sanders does have some legit targets to work with in Cleveland with receiver Jerry Jeudy, tight end David Njoku and running back Quinshon Judkins. It is rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. who actually leads the Browns this year with 51 receptions for 505 yards, putting pressure on Titans safeties Amani Hooker and rookie Kevin Winston Jr.
Cleveland is a 4.5-point favorite in what is expected to be a very low-scoring game Sunday, with temperatures around freezing and the possibility of snow off Lake Erie.
