Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Cleveland 31 at Tennessee 28 (OT) WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Cleveland Browns: Tim Couch got the start over backup Kelly Holcomb. Couch looked sharp early with quick decision-making and release of the football, despite the Titans penetrating the makeshift Cleveland line. The Browns' offensive line was missing two starters (center Dave Wohlabaugh and right tackle Ryan Tucker) due to injury. Shaun O'Hara and Roger Chanoine were their replacements, respectively. Titans maintained the pressure throughout the game and Couch adjusted, making only one glaring mistake on the Andre Dyson interception for a touchdown. Couch was the leader of the Brown comeback after being down 28-14 with five minutes left in the fourth. He spread the ball to nine different receivers with Kevin Johnson and Jamel White having nine catches each. The Brown running game is still non-existent. White got the start at running back in the spread formation. William Green fumbled twice while only gaining 26 yards off eight carries and did not play in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. The Cleveland defense played well containing the run and not allowing the Titans to throw deep because of the pressure of the defensive line. Tennessee Titans: The running game was mediocre while the passing game could not get in gear. The Titans finished with only 86 yards rushing and 107 through the air. Steve McNair did not look downfield to a wide receiver in the first quarter and did not complete a pass to a wide receiver until 4:40 left in the third quarter. McNair did not have the protection to look deep most of the game. When he did, his passes were well off the mark. Eddie George's foot was not a factor, although he did have his right ankle re-taped after the opening drive. It was his left foot that was bothering him early this week. Cornerback Andre Dyson left the game late in the first half with a hip injury. He came into the game nursing his hamstring. Couch attacked his rookie backup Mike Echols and the Dyson injury may have been the difference in the game. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Cleveland Browns QB: Tim Couch - There was no doubt that this was his game from the beginning to end. He was constantly under pressure but Couch made quick decisions and the right decisions in most cases. One exception was the interception to Dyson when he threw behind Johnson. Was forced to throw deeper routes in the second half, and did a good job. He under threw a deep lob to Quincy Morgan that was almost picked by Samari Rolle. He did an excellent job managing the clock, given that the Browns used their last timeout with 13:07 left in regulation. RB: Jamel White - White got the start, splitting out in the spread formation. He was the "go-to" back for Cleveland. Still, he did not put up great numbers on his nine receptions and nine carries. The banged-up offensive line did not help White or Green. William Green - The rookie took a step backward. He fumbled twice while only gaining 26 yards off eight carries and did not play in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. His longest carry of 13 yards came on a play that the Titans gave up on, after an encroachment penalty. WR: Andre' Davis - Rookie Davis was Couch's number one target early in the game and late. Broke two tackles on a 31-yard gain on the opening drive. He gets himself open and makes the tough catch in the red zone. Kevin Johnson - Couch found him open often underneath, especially in the hurry-up or two-minute offense. Was interfered with by Lance Schulters on a 19-yard pass in the second quarter, no catch. Quincy Morgan - Was quiet in the first half. Couch found him late while being matched up against Echols. His open field moves gained 17 on a short pass in the flat. Dennis Northcutt - He was easily the most exciting player on the field. Returned a punt for a touchdown, muffed a fair catch inside his own ten, made a spectacular recovery of the onside kick, and made a beautiful spin move on Echols for the game-tying touchdown. TE: Tight ends are not a big factor in the Browns offense, but they did have four catches among the three of them. Browns Pass Defense: The defensive line kept the pressure on McNair. Courtney Brown returned after missing a week. Gerard Warren, Kenard Lang, and Mark Word all dominated line play. Browns Rush Defense: Again, the defensive line contained George. Warren was very active in the Titan backfield. Browns Special Teams: Phil Dawson finally missed a field goal attempt, the 52-yarder was wide right. Northcutt made things exciting. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Tennessee Titans QB: Steve McNair - McNair did not look downfield to a wide receiver in the first quarter and did not complete a pass to a wide receiver until 4:40 left in the third. McNair did not have the protection to look deep most of the game. When he did, his passes were off the mark, sometimes badly. RB: Eddie George - Foot was not a factor, although he did have his right ankle re-taped after the opening drive. It was his left foot that was bothering him early this week. The Titans made him the focal point, but the o-line couldn't get the job done. He was also the Titans' leading receiver. WR: Derrick Mason - Three receptions is a big disappointment. Dropped two long passes, one that stalled a drive and another at the Brown five-yard line. Was the decoy on fake reverses. Kevin Dyson - Drew an interference penalty near the goal line. Couldn't keep his feet in on a medium out. His only catch was a seven-yard touchdown on sharp comeback route from a McNair bootleg. TE: Frank Wycheck - Was not a big factor in this game and seems to have lost his status as the security guy for McNair. Titans Pass Defense: Even without Jevon Kearse, the Titans were able to pressure Couch. They often utilized the safety blitz with Schulters and Tank Williams early. The injury to Andre Dyson was key. Titans had to move away from the blitz so as not to expose Echols. Titans Rush Defense: The Brown offensive line made it easy. Linebacker Keith Bulluck shadowed the Cleveland running backs, finishing with nine tackles. Titans Special Teams: Rookie backup running back John Simon was aggressive on the punt returns, his 30-yard return set up the Titans first touchdown.