Cleveland Browns (1-2) at Tennessee Titans (1-3)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at LP Field, Nashville – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beuerlein

*Keys to the game: Rebounding from a game in which the Titans converted just one third down, QB Jake Locker (wrist) returns to the lineup to draw a well-rested Browns defense capable of forcing him to make snap decisions. That helps eliminate the team’s most productive offensive player so far this season, TE Delanie Walker.

Tennessee has gotten away from running the football consistently, in part because of huge deficits in the first half of each game. When the Titans do run the ball, they probably need to find ways to get it into the hands of players like rookie Bishop Sankey and free-agent signee Dexter McCluster. Sankey has been the Titans’ leading rusher in the past two games, but did not get carries last week until the third quarter. McCluster has been on a milk carton in the offense.

RB Ben Tate is practicing with the Browns for the first time since injuring his right knee in the first half of the season opener in Pittsburgh. If there are no setbacks he will start against the Titans, which means diminished carries for rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell — but the kind of depth the Browns want in a bang-boom backfield.

The Browns could go downfield early to set a tone. The Titans haven’t scored a point in the first quarter, so the Browns would like to jump to an early lead by targeting TE Jordan Cameron and WR Miles Austin.

*Matchup to watch – Browns LB Karlos Dansby vs. Titans RB Shonn Green: Shoring up run defense was a major focus during Cleveland’s bye, and head coach Mike Pettine is stressing it’s essential to winning on the road. Opponents are averaging 5.2 yards per carry on the Browns. Green is averaging 4.7 yards on 33 carries. Dansby and the rest of the defenders have to stay in their gaps to take away cutback lanes.

*Player spotlight – Browns RB Ben Tate: Back from a Week 1 knee injury, a nemesis of the Titans as a member of the Houston Texans, Tate makes his sixth appearance against Tennessee. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry in five previous meetings.

*Fast facts: The Browns have lost seven consecutive road games. … Including the Titans, Cleveland’s next five opponents are a combined 4-16.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Containing Tennessee’s running game is the focus of the Browns. If they bottle up the Titans’ backfield, the Browns should like their chances against the inconsistent Locker.

*Our pick: Browns 20-18