Evan Silva’s Matchups: Titans at Browns

Tennessee @ Cleveland

Team Totals: Browns 21.5, Titans 18

Ryan Tannehill runs into a Week 3 buzzsaw against a ferocious Browns pass defense that limited Joe Burrow and Kenny Pickett to the NFL’s second-fewest yards per pass attempt (4.9) while generating the league’s third-highest pressure rate (32%) in Weeks 1-2. Cleveland has knocked down the opposing QB on 23% of dropbacks, by far the best mark in the NFL. Especially with Titans first-round LG Peter Skoronski (illness) sidelined, I’m fading Tannehill and dialing up the Browns’ D/ST. … After Tyjae Spears out-snapped Derrick Henry on Opening Day, The Big Dog commandingly retook Tennessee’s Week 2 playing-time lead (46 to 24 snaps) and out-touched Spears 28 to 10 against the Chargers. Henry’s workload projection is massive so long as this game stays close. The Browns yielded a modest 33/138/0 (4.2 YPC) rushing line to Bengals and Steelers backs in Weeks 1-2. With five catches through two games, Henry’s receiving role has been significant, upping his PPR floor. Even in a rough offensive environment, Henry is a locked-in RB1 starter.

Tannehill’s Weeks 1-2 target distribution: DeAndre Hopkins 18; Nick Westbrook-Ikhine 10; Henry and Treylon Burks 7; Spears and Chig Okonkwo 6; Chris Moore 2. … Ostensibly on a snap count against the Bolts after not practicing all week, Hopkins (ankle) figures to be closer to 100% at Cleveland. The Browns have played tight coverage to date; George Pickens is the lone enemy wideout to clear 40 receiving yards against them. I’m approaching Hopkins as a fringe WR2/3 here.