NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Andre Szmyt drilled a 32-yard field goal as time expired Sunday to give the Cleveland Browns a 27-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.
The kick capped another late fourth-quarter comeback orchestrated by Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, marking his fifth game-winning march during the final period this season, ABC News reported. Watson set up the winning attempt with a 36-yard connection to Harold Fannin Jr., though game officials appeared to overlook an uncalled false start on Cleveland on the play.
Watson, Pollard trade late scores
Watson finished the afternoon with 308 yards through the air and scored on a nine-yard scramble with 4:34 remaining to snap a 17-17 deadlock. Cleveland rookie receiver KC Concepcion caught eight passes for 129 yards, while running back Quinshon Judkins contributed 96 yards and two scores on the ground, according to game statistics reported by ABC News.
Tennessee responded with under a minute remaining. Titans running back Tony Pollard found the end zone with 58 seconds left for his third touchdown of the contest, matching his single-game career high. A successful point-after kick by Joey Slye knotted the game at 24-all before Watson led the Browns on the decisive drive.
The victory gave Cleveland its fifth win in six games, pushing its record to 5-2 and keeping the franchise atop the AFC North standings. The Titans dropped to 1-6 on the year.
Turnovers swing early momentum
Tennessee seized an early 14-0 advantage behind two rushing touchdowns from Pollard. The Titans threatened to extend their lead in the second quarter, but Cleveland defensive lineman Maliek Collins stopped Pollard on a fourth-and-goal try just outside the goal line, according to ABC News.
Moments later, the squads traded turnovers on consecutive plays. Anthony Hill Jr. forced a fumble from Fannin that Titans safety Tony Adams recovered. However, Browns cornerback Denzel Ward immediately intercepted Tennessee quarterback Cam Ward on the subsequent snap.
Cleveland converted the defensive takeaway into points when Judkins punched in his second five-yard touchdown of the afternoon. After forcing a Tennessee three-and-out, Cleveland took a 17-14 lead into the locker room at halftime on Szmyt’s 28-yard field goal as the clock expired.
Szmyt hit the right upright on a 43-yard kick early in the fourth quarter, giving Tennessee an opportunity to draw even. Slye tied the score at 17-17 with an ensuing 29-yard field goal with 8:41 remaining in regulation.
Injuries and draft positioning
Both teams dealt with injuries during the physical matchup. Browns starting right tackle Tytus Howard was evaluated for a concussion in the third quarter, while cornerback Myles Harden briefly departed with a hamstring ailment before returning, ABC News reported. Titans punter Tommy Townsend sustained a knee injury in the second quarter, forcing Slye to take over punting duties; Slye later launched a 42-yard kick on his first career NFL punt.
The loss dropped the Titans further down the standings, moving them to second overall in projected order for the 2027 NFL Draft according to Tankathon calculations, The Tennessean reported. Tennessee trails only the winless Los Angeles Chargers.
Both clubs remain on the road next Sunday, with Cleveland traveling to play the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee heading north to face the Cincinnati Bengals.
