Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns: Last-Minute Spread Info and Predictions

When the Tennessee Titans play the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon, both teams will be competing to stay atop their respective divisions. Both teams have been pleasant surprises thus far and will look to continue their solid play in Week 4.

The biggest surprise for the Titans has been the play of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. He is playing like the quarterback who led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl in 2005. His quarterback rating is 102.2, he has thrown for 932 yards and five touchdowns while completing 69.6 percent of his passes.

The Browns are not always easy to watch, but they are winning games and that is all that matters. Running back Peyton Hillis has struggled this season and missed last week's game due to an illness, but he is expected back this week.

Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio

When: Sunday, Oct. 2, at 1:00 p.m. EST

Watch: CBS; DirecTV Channel 705

Over/Under: 39

That is a low number by normal standards, but neither of these teams are exactly lighting up the scoreboards. I will expect a bit more scoring than the odds makers, though.

I will say that between the two teams, the Titans have a better chance to explode on offense because Hasselbeck has been playing so well, although he won't have Kenny Britt to throw the ball to anymore this season.

Spread: Pick 'Em

Given the Titans ability to throw the ball and the fact their defense has been playing so well, the Titans should be favorites in this game. They will not be as explosive as they were when Britt was healthy, not that they were explosive with him, but they are a better team than Cleveland right now.

Titans' Key Injuries

Wide receiver Kenny Britt tore his ACL last week and was placed on injured reserve.

Safety Chris Hope is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury.

Browns' Key Injuries

Running back Peyton Hillis is practicing with the team and is expected to play this week after battling an illness last week.

Fantasy Big Plays

Matt Hasselbeck, Tennessee Titans

The Browns are ranked third in the NFL in pass yards allowed per game (187.3) but the quarterbacks they have played are Andy Dalton, Bruce Gradkowski, who took over for Dalton when he got hurt, Kerry Collins and Chad Henne.

Hasselbeck will challenge them this week. The loss of Britt will hurt, but he has developed a nice rapport with Nate Washington, who actually leads the team in catches with 21.

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Fantasy owners have been waiting impatiently for Johnson to play like he is capable of playing, but it hasn't happened for him yet.

The Browns are the team to help him break out of his funk because they rank 29th against the run through three weeks.

Keys To Titans' Win

With Britt done for the season, it will be imperative for the Titans to establish some semblance of a running game. Chris Johnson has to get loose in this game, not only to help the team this week but to build confidence for the rest of the season.

The defense has played well thus far, but they do need to get after the quarterback more, as they have only four sacks through three weeks. They aren't giving up a lot of yards, just 261 per game, but they need to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks and force turnovers.

Keys To Browns' Win

The Browns need to find some kind of rhythm on offense. Colt McCoy has had two games with a completion percentage under 50 percent. He has to be consistent so that opposing defenses aren't just loading up the box to stop Peyton Hillis.

The defense has to play better against the run. The Titans rank last in the NFL in rush yards per game (51.7) and the Browns rank 29th against the run. Something has to give in this game, and for the Browns' sake they better hope that something goes in their favor.

Prediction

The Titans are playing better than the Browns and have more overall depth than their opponent. They will win this game and improve to 3-1.

Titans 24, Browns 16