Titans' Loss to Browns Ties NFL Record for Longest Stretch Without Repeat Wins

The Tennessee Titans are tied for an NFL record after losing 27-24 to the Cleveland Browns, a defeat that extended their run of consecutive games without back-to-back wins to 65. That total matches the 2014-18 Browns for the most such games within a single season, according to Sportradar. The Titans are 1-6 and are guaranteed to reach at least 66 games.

Tampa Bay went 74 games from 1985 to 1989 without consecutive wins, but the Buccaneers won the final game of 1988 and the first game of 1989. First-year coach Robert Saleh said the Titans' record in close games reflects a finishing issue. Tennessee is 1-4 in games decided by seven points or fewer this season.

Saleh pointed to the win at Indianapolis and listed losses to Philadelphia, the New York Giants, Baltimore and Cleveland as games where the team did not close. "It is so close, it is so close," Saleh said Monday. "And there's a lot of good that you can take from it, but at the end of the day, if you're not winning, it's very hard to find the good. And it's just telling these guys the truth that we're good enough to put ourselves in position to win, we've got to find ways to win in the final minutes."

The Titans produced 322 offensive yards and three touchdowns against Cleveland, their highest totals this season, and held the ball for 28 minutes, 46 seconds. They scored on their first two possessions for the first time since Dec. 15, 2024, against Cincinnati. The offensive line allowed one sack for no yards, the fourth game this season in which Tennessee gave up one sack or fewer.

Tennessee's defense allowed 491 yards, its most this season, and has yielded more yardage in three of the past four games. With a chance to force overtime, the Titans gave up a 36-yard catch-and-run that set up Cleveland's winning field goal. The unit recorded two takeaways. All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said the team needs to look at itself: "There was plenty of opportunity in that game for us to go over and just take over the game and take the life away from them. We didn't do that."

Running back Tony Pollard ranks 10th in the NFL with 478 rushing yards. He ran for 129 yards and scored three touchdowns against Cleveland, a career high, though a review erased a fourth that would have put Tennessee up 21-7. He also caught three passes for 26 yards. The Titans are 7-34 since the start of the 2024 season.

Cornerback Alontae Taylor missed a second straight game after dressing against Cleveland without playing a snap. Saleh said the team is moving Taylor inside, noting, "Obviously, our nickel is a little bit more complicated than most, it's more of a linebacker position." Tennessee signed Taylor to a three-year, $58 million contract in March. Saleh said he had no update on punter Tommy Townsend, who hurt his knee when two players collided with his leg as he finished a punt.

The Titans play at Cincinnati (4-2) on Sunday before their bye week, then host AFC South leader Jacksonville on Nov. 15. A loss to the Jaguars would mark four full years without consecutive wins.