The Tennessee Titans desperately need to get a win over the Cleveland Browns this Sunday. Not because a win matters for the season, but because a win matters for morale. When a team isn’t winning, its players get frustrated, and when players get frustrated, emotions can run over and cause problems.

Whether it’s poor play, poor decision-making, or a lack of effort due to frustration doesn’t matter. What matters is the impact it has on the team on the field, and no one wants to watch a team spiral. As the sole one-win team in the league right now, the Titans have every reason to feel frustrated and defeated. But they have an opportunity to turn that around this week against the Browns.

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Let’s take a look at three causes for concern as the Titans face the Browns in Week 14.

Cam Ward under siege

Rookie quarterback Cam Ward looked like a different quarterback against Jacksonville than he did against Seattle. Against Seattle, he maintained his composure, made quick, smart decisions, and executed plays to keep the game close. Against the Jaguars, it felt like he couldn’t make a decision at all, and without Lloyd Cushenberry in front of him, the offensive line was very little help.

The Titans’ offensive line has allowed a league-high 48 sacks through 13 weeks, and they face the No. 2-ranked pass rush when they head north on Sunday. Defensive end Myles Garrett leads the NFL with 19 sacks and is chasing the single-season record, which is currently jointly held by Michael Strahan (2001) and T.J. Watt (2021) with 22.5 sacks. Ward will struggle against this pass rush, which will force him into quick throws and checkdowns, limiting explosive potential.

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This is a nightmare matchup for Cam Ward. He must make fast, smart decisions and execute accurate throws to move the ball down the field.

Defensive Inconsistency Against the Run

The Titans rank in the lower portion of the middle third of the league in long plays, but they allowed the Jaguars to have two run plays and three pass plays over 40 yards long. This week, they’ll face rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who got the Browns a win in his first start, and rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who has really taken off over the last few weeks.

If Jeffery Simmons, T’Vondre Sweat, and Sebastian Joseph-Day don’t step up against the run, the Browns will have no trouble controlling the tempo of the game. And if they control the tempo, then the Titans are at their mercy.

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Losing streak/morale

The Titans are on a seven-game losing streak, and morale is starting to crack. Jeffery Simmons has expressed frustration with losing, and this young roster isn’t handling it well. Interim head coach Mike McCoy is still trying to stabilize this team after Brian Callahan’s firing, and the Titans’ inability to find the end zone is incredibly frustrating.

One of the reasons for that is the Titans’ poor run game. Tony Pollard flashed last week, running for 60 yards (including a couple of double-digit gains), but over the season, he has been notably silent. Pollard must be ready to go on Sunday, and Tyjae Spears, if needed, because without a balanced offense, Myles Garrett is going to eat Cam Ward for lunch.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans: 3 causes for concern in Week 14 vs. Cleveland Browns