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Wednesday, November 24
 
Baxter Bits: Titans at Browns

By Russell S. Baxter
Special to ESPN.com

The Titans make their way to Cleveland Browns Stadium in position to sweep this series for the first time since 1993.

In Week 2 at Adelphia Coliseum, Titans QB Neil O'Donnell threw for 310 yards and a touchdown, RB Eddie George rushed for 97 yards and a pair of scores and an aggressive Tennessee defense sacked Browns rookie QB Tim Couch (making his first pro start) 7 times as Jeff Fisher's team rolled to a 26-9 triumph.

The Titans are 5-1 in their previous 6 visits to Cleveland this decade (1990-95).

Numbers: After giving up just five touchdown passes in their first seven games, the Titans have allowed 34 TD passes in their last 19 contests dating back to '98. The Titans have totaled four or more sacks in four straight games. They have limited the opposition to 17 or fewer points in three straight games.

The Browns have allowed 200 or more yards rushing in 5-of-11 contests in '99. They have forced seven turnovers in two wins but have totaled just eight takeaways in nine losses in '99. The Browns have been limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing in five straight games. They have committed two or more turnovers in three straight games. The Browns have limited the opposition to 17 or fewer points in three straight games and 10-of-11 contests in '99. Cleveland's offense has scored 14 touchdowns in 11 games in '99, six by rookie WR Kevin Johnson. Browns have scored 116 points in 11 games in '99, 36 by Johnson.

Things to look for: Tennessee's improving pass rush pounded Steelers' QB Kordell Stewart into submission last week and are surely confident they can have another big afternoon against Browns' rookie QB Tim Couch, who may be a bit wiser in this rematch but not quick enough to avoid Titans' DE Jevon Kearse. Still, Jeff Fisher has to be concerned with his own offense, a unit that must strike early here.

Etc.: The Titans are 24-20 in their last 44 divisional games (1994-99), this after going 6-0 vs. AFC Central foes in '93. However, the Titans are 13-1 in their last 14 games vs. divisional competition dating back to '98 (6-0 in '99) and have won 12 straight games vs. AFC Central rivals. PK Al Del Greco (1,416) needs 6 points to tie Matt Bahr (1,422) for 10th place on the NFL's all-time scoring list.





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