The Tennessee Titans beat the Cleveland Browns 31–29 at Huntington Bank Field. I still think about how close this game turned out. If you watched it live, you know both teams left everything on the field.
This article breaks down the full Tennessee Titans vs cleveland browns match player stats, so you can see exactly who made the biggest plays.
I’ll walk you through passing yards, rushing numbers, and key defensive stops from both sides.
You’ll also learn which players stood out and which ones struggled to get going. I pulled these numbers straight from the box score, so you can trust what you’re reading here.
If you’re a Titans fan, a Browns fan, or just someone who enjoys football, you’ll get a clear image of how this game played out. Let’s look at the numbers together.
How Cleveland “Won” the Box Score and Still Lost
This is the number that reframes the whole game: Cleveland outgained Tennessee 412 yards to 292, produced 22 first downs to 13, went a perfect 3-for-3 in the red zone, and held the ball nearly four minutes longer and lost by two.
If you only read the offensive totals, you would guess the wrong winner. The gap lived in the three phases that don’t show up in a yardage column.
Tennessee’s defense and special teams generated 17 points off three plays: a Xavier Woods interception, a Cedric Gray fumble recovery, and a James Williams Sr. blocked punt (the franchise’s first blocked punt since Tim Shaw in 2012).
Cleveland then went 0-for-2 on two-point conversions in the final minutes, the difference between a two-point loss and a possible lead.
That is the story the raw player stats hide, and it’s the lens most box-score recaps of this game skip entirely.
Team Stats Comparison
Let’s look at how each team performed as a whole before we break down individual players.
| Team Stat | Titans | Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 292 | 412 |
| Total Plays | 64 | 64 |
| Yards Per Play | 4.6 | 6.4 |
| Passing Yards | 117 | 364 |
| Yards Per Pass | 3.9 | 8.4 |
| Rushing Yards | 184 | 61 |
| Rush Average | 5.3 | 3.0 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 31:56 | 28:04 |
What the Team Stats Say
The Browns moved the ball better overall. Cleveland racked up 412 total yards to Tennessee’s 292, and Shedeur Sanders threw for 364 yards through the air. That’s a big passing gap.
But yards don’t win games. Turnovers do. Cleveland gave the ball away twice, and one of those mistakes set up a Titans touchdown. Tennessee also blocked a punt, which turned into more points.
The Titans leaned on their run game instead. Tony Pollard carried the ball 25 times for 161 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. That kept drives short and let Tennessee control the clock for almost 32 minutes.
So the final score doesn’t match the yardage gap because Cleveland’s offense stalled at the wrong moments, while Tennessee’s rushing attack and defense created extra scoring chances Cleveland couldn’t overcome.
Tennessee Titans Player Stats Breakdown
Now let’s zoom in on the players who made this win happen. Here’s how each unit showed up.
1. Titans Passing Stats
Cam Ward had a quiet but efficient night. He didn’t need big numbers to get the job done.
- Completions: 14 of 28 (50% completion rate)
- Passing yards: 117
- Touchdowns: 2
- Interceptions: 1
- Sacks taken: 1
- Yards per attempt: 4.2
Ward avoided pressure well, getting sacked only once all game.
2. Titans Rushing Stats
Tony Pollard carried this offense. He rushed 25 times for a career-high 161 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
His 65-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and a 32-yard touchdown run in the third quarter both flipped the momentum.
Tennessee finished with 184 rushing yards as a team, according to Pro Football Reference. That ground game controlled the clock and kept Cleveland’s defense guessing all night.
3. Titans Receiving Stats
Ward spread the ball around rather than leaning on one target.
- Wide receivers: Elic Ayomanor caught a 14-yard touchdown pass to open the game
- Running backs/other skill spots: Chimere Dike hauled in a 5-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter
- Tight ends: Limited targets, no touchdowns
Both touchdown catches came at key moments and helped Tennessee build an early cushion.
4. Titans Defensive Stats
The defense turned the tide in the second half.
- Tackles: Cedric Gray led with 10 tackles
- Fumble recoveries: Gray also scooped up a Browns fumble
- Interceptions: Xavier Woods picked off a deep pass and returned it 35 yards
- Pressure plays: Limited sack numbers, but timely pressure on third downs
Tennessee also slowed Cleveland’s run game, holding Quinshon Judkins to just 26 yards on 14 carries.
5. Titans Special Teams Stats
Special teams delivered one of the biggest plays of the game. James Williams Sr. blocked a Browns punt, setting up extra points. Joey Slye made his lone field goal try and extra points on schedule.
Chimere Dike also recovered a late Cleveland onside kick, sealing the win. These hidden-yardage plays gave Tennessee’s offense short fields and turned into 17 total points on the day.
Cleveland Browns Player Stats Breakdown
Cleveland’s stat sheet tells a different story than the scoreboard. Here’s the full breakdown.
1. Browns Passing Stats
Shedeur Sanders had a strong outing despite the loss. He completed 23 of 42 passes for 364 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
He also added a rushing touchdown, becoming just the second rookie quarterback in the league this season to reach 350 passing yards, three passing scores, and a rushing score in one game.
- Passing yards: 364
- Touchdowns: 3
- Interceptions: 1
- Rushing touchdowns: 1
2. Browns Rushing Stats
Cleveland struggled badly on the ground compared with Tennessee. Pro Football Reference lists the Browns with just 61 rushing yards as a team, averaging only 3.0 yards per carry.
Quinshon Judkins managed 26 yards on 14 attempts, and Sanders added 29 yards on three scrambles, including his touchdown run. Without a real run game, Cleveland leaned almost entirely on Sanders’ arm to move the ball.
3. Browns Receiving Stats
Sanders had plenty of options, and several players stepped up.
- Harold Fannin Jr.: 8 catches, 114 yards, 1 touchdown (Cleveland’s final score)
- Jerry Jeudy: 76 receiving yards, including a 60-yard touchdown that gave Cleveland its first lead
- David Njoku: 1-yard touchdown catch on third-and-goal, exited later with a knee injury
- Quinshon Judkins: Added a 58-yard reception that set up Njoku’s score
Jeudy’s touchdown was a pure explosive play, while Fannin and Njoku scored on shorter, contested catches.
4. Browns Defensive Stats
Cleveland’s defense had moments but couldn’t finish the job. Myles Garrett recorded a sack on Cam Ward, his 20th of the season, moving him into elite company on the all-time sacks list.
The defense held Ward to just 117 passing yards and forced one interception. But they couldn’t slow Tony Pollard, who ran through gaps for 161 yards and two scores.
Garrett even admitted after the game that the defense expected more passing and got caught off guard by the run.
5. Browns Special Teams Stats
Special teams cost Cleveland late in the game. Andre Szmyt made his extra point attempts on Cleveland’s touchdowns. The Browns also had a punt blocked by Tennessee’s James Williams Sr., which set up Titans points.
Down 31-29 late, Cleveland attempted an onside kick to get the ball back, but Titans returner Chimere Dike recovered it, ending any chance of a comeback.
Highlights of Each Quarter
Every quarter had its own turning point that shaped the final result. Here’s a quick breakdown of what happened when.
- 1st Quarter: Tennessee came out fast, scoring on its opening drive for the first time all season and adding a 65-yard touchdown run from Tony Pollard to take an early 14-3 lead.
- 2nd Quarter: Cleveland answered with two touchdown drives, including a 60-yard scoring pass to Jerry Jeudy, giving the Browns a 17-14 halftime advantage.
- 3rd Quarter: An interception by Xavier Woods set up Pollard’s second rushing touchdown, putting Tennessee back on top for good.
- 4th Quarter: Cleveland tried to rally with two more scores, but a blocked punt and a recovered onside kick sealed the win for the Titans.
Anyone reviewing the full Tennessee Titans vs cleveland browns match player stats will notice how each quarter added a new twist before Tennessee closed it out.
Player of the Game & Stat Leaders
One player stood out above everyone else on the field. Here’s a side-by-side look at the top performers from both teams.
| Category | Titans Leader | Browns Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Player of the Game | Tony Pollard | Shedeur Sanders |
| Passing Yards | Cam Ward – 117 | Shedeur Sanders – 364 |
| Rushing Yards | Tony Pollard – 161 | Quinshon Judkins – 26 |
| Receiving Yards | Tyjae Spears – 28 YDS | Harold Fannin Jr. – 114 |
| Touchdowns | Tony Pollard – 2 | Shedeur Sanders – 4 total |
| Tackles | Cedric Gray – 10 | Myles Garrett – 1 sack |
| Turnovers Forced | Xavier Woods – 1 INT | — |
If you’re scanning the full Tennessee Titans vs cleveland browns match player stats for one name that mattered most, Pollard’s two rushing touchdowns make him the clear pick for Player of the Game.
Why this Matchup Matters
This game mattered because it showed how two rebuilding teams handled pressure late in a tough season. The Titans snapped a seven-game losing streak, and the Browns nearly pulled off another comeback.
Both rosters feature young players trying to prove they belong in the league. Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, two rookie quarterbacks, faced off in a matchup that offered a real look at their growth.
For fans tracking the Tennessee Titans vs cleveland browns match player stats, this game highlighted how rushing production and turnovers often carry more weight than total yardage.
The final score reminded everyone that execution in key moments matters more than raw numbers. Games like this also shape draft position, coaching decisions, and roster plans heading into the offseason. Every stat here connects to a bigger story for both franchises.
Titans vs Browns: Head-to-Head History and What’s Next
Cleveland holds the edge in the all-time series with roughly 37 wins to Tennessee’s 33, though recent meetings have swung back and forth.
Their 2025 game added another chapter, with Tennessee snapping a long losing streak behind a strong rushing performance.
Fans searching for Tennessee Titans vs cleveland browns match player stats often want to know if trends carry over, and this game showed both young quarterbacks growing into bigger roles.
Going forward, both teams will lean heavily on their rookie quarterbacks to shape future matchups. Expect closer games ahead, since both rosters are still developing key pieces on offense and defense.
Future meetings should carry more weight as both franchises build around their current cores.
Upcoming Lineups
Both teams turned their attention to the rest of the season right after this game wrapped up.
- Titans: At San Francisco 49ers (Week 15)
- Titans: Home vs Kansas City Chiefs (Week 16)
- Browns: At Chicago Bears (following Sunday)
Tennessee carried its momentum from the rushing attack into a tough road trip against the 49ers, while Cleveland looked to bounce back on the road against Chicago.
Both teams used these matchups to continue evaluating their rookie quarterbacks and to build depth for next season.
How to Read an NFL Box Score
A box score can look confusing at first, but it breaks down into simple parts once you know what to check.
- Team stats: Total yards, time of possession, and turnovers show which team controlled the game
- Passing stats: Completions, attempts, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions show how a quarterback performed
- Rushing stats: Carries and yards per carry show how much a team relied on the run
- Receiving stats: Catches, yards, and touchdowns show which players got the ball the most
- Defensive stats: Tackles, sacks, and interceptions show who made the key stops
In this Titans vs Browns game, the box score explained a lot on its own. Cleveland’s passing numbers looked strong, but Tennessee’s turnover margin and rushing stats told the real story of the win.
Always check turnovers and time of possession first. Those two numbers often explain a final score better than total yards alone.
Final Thoughts
This game had a little bit of everything: big rushing plays, a rookie quarterback shootout, and a finish that came down to the final onside kick.
Tony Pollard’s two touchdown runs set the tone, while Shedeur Sanders kept fighting until the clock ran out. Numbers only tell part of the story, though.
The real value comes from seeing how small plays, like a blocked punt or a missed two-point try, can flip a close game.
If you’ve been following the Titans or the Browns this season, this matchup probably gave you plenty to think about heading into next week.
What stood out most to you? Drop a comment below and share which player or moment stuck with you the most from this game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Defensive Players be the Most Important Part of a Box Score?
Yes. Sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles, tackles for loss, and pass breakups can change the game even if offensive players get more attention.
Why Should I Compare Team Stats with Player Stats?
Team stats tell the full story of the game, while player stats show who made the biggest impact. Looking at both gives a clearer view of the matchup.
How Often are NFL Player Stats Updated After a Game?
NFL player stats are usually updated live during the game and finalized after review. Small changes can happen later if the league corrects a play.
