CLEVELAND – The Titans made too many mistakes by the lake here on Sunday.
Throw in a sluggish day by the offense and a shaky day from the defense and it helped add up to a miserable 27-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
In the process, the Titans dropped to 1-2.
"(The Browns) are a good football team, give them credit," Titans Coach Mike Vrabel said. "They were much, much better than we were today – coaching, playing, the whole bit. We contributed to that. There were some things that we did that affected that, but they beat us today in every area."
It was an ugly day from the start for the Titans, who had trouble getting anything going on offense against a Browns defense that harassed quarterback Ryan Tannehill all game.
Tannehill, who completed just 13-of-25 passes for 104 yards in the game, was sacked five times, including 3.5 times by Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.
"It's frustrating," Tannehill said. "I haven't been part of a whole lot of games here that ended like that. Not the way we wanted to go out and play on either side of the ball, and we have to be better."
The Titans couldn't run the ball either – running back Derrick Henry managed just 20 yards on 11 carries.
"You never want to lose like that," Henry said. "It's a tough loss, and we have to learn from it. We can't go in the corner and cry about it. You have to hold each other accountable, be a team, play like a team.
"It is all about improving and getting better."
Defensively, the Titans gave up too many plays, and committed too many penalties at Cleveland Browns Stadium, located next to Lake Erie.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 27-of-33 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
The Browns outgained the Titans 341 to 94 in total yards, and they had 23 first downs compared to just six for the Titans.
The Titans committed eight penalties for 80 yards.
"We have to take these kinds of games on the chin, but at the end of the day, keep everybody together," Titans safety Kevin Byard said. "We still have all of our goals in the season, so we have to continue to move forward.
"And we have to figure out a way to win games."
The Titans fell behind early in this one.
After the Browns took an early 3-0 lead on a 48-yard field goal by kicker Dustin Hopkins, the Titans tied the game at 3-3 early in the second quarter on a 44-yard field goal by kicker Nick Folk.
The score was set up by a tremendous defensively play by Titans cornerback Sean-Murphy Bunting, who forced and recovered a fumble in Cleveland territory, which gave Tennessee the ball at the Cleveland 17-yard line.
Not much else went right on this day, however.
The Browns reclaimed the lead on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Watson to running back Jerome Ford, and that made it 10-3 with 9:39 in the second quarter. The Titans were penalized twice for pass interference on the drive.
The Browns then moved ahead 13-3 on a 52-yard field goal by Hopkins with one minute remaining in the first half.
The Titans got into position for a score at the end of the first half, but that opportunity was botched as time expired when Tannehill was sacked on a 3rd and 10 play that originated with just 13 seconds on the clock. Garrett blew past Titans left tackle Andre Dillard on the play, time ran out, and the Browns led 13-3 at the half.
Midway through the third quarter the Browns stretched their lead to 20-3 on a three-yard touchdown run by Ford.
The Browns made it 27-3 on a 43-yard touchdown pass from Watson to receiver Amari Cooper.
"We're competitors, so it's always frustrating when you lose," and the frustration is always at an all-time high when you lose," Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins said. "We have to put this behind us and (play better)."
The Titans return to action next Sunday against the Bengals at Nissan Stadium.
The Tennessee Titans take on the Browns in Week 3 at Cleveland Brown Stadium.
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 212033000005\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 042021001657\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 212033000003\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 212033000003\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 212033000003\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 212033000005\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000027\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000027\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000027\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000027\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000027\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000027\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000028\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000028\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000028\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000028\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000027\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000028\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000028\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000028\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000027\ /Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Photo By 102032000027\ /Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans travel to Cleveland for their Week 3 against the Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. (Tennessee Titans)
Quarterback Malik Willis #7 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Kicker Nick Folk #6 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Defensive tackle Kyle Peko #95 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Wide receiver Mason Kinsey #12 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Center/guard Xavier Newman #67 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Offensive lineman Dillon Radunz #75 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Punter Ryan Stonehouse #4 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Cornerback Kristian Fulton #26 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Linebacker Chance Campbell #45 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Outside linebacker Caleb Murphy #42 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Linebacker Jack Gibbens #50 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons #98 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Safety Matthew Jackson #39 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Offensive linebacker Trevis Gipson #51 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Safety Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tackle Justin Murray #72 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Safety Mike Brown #44 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Defensive lineman Denico Autry #96 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine #15 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Offensive lineman Chris Hubbard #66 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Outside linebacker Rashad Weaver #99 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Outside linebacker Arden Key #49 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Defensive back Amani Hooker #37 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair #2 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day at the Nashville International Airport on September 23, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
