Marcus Mariota and the Titans offensive line walked into a beehive at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday and left with several stings.
Cleveland's seven sacks on Tennessee's rookie quarterback were the most the franchise has compiled since November 2012.
The sacks were evenly spread around the entire defense like Halloween candy.
"Everybody was able to get a chance to get in there and do their jobs," John Hughes III said.
Armonty Bryant racked up 2.5, Hughes totaled 1.5, Jamie Meder and K'Waun Williams had one apiece; Donte Whitner and Paul Kruger each contributed a half-sack. Around league circles, the Titans offensive line is widely respected.
"They are going to bring the kitchen sink at you," Titans guard Chance Warmack said.
Coach Mike Pettine and defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil have both said they won't measure pass rushing success on sacks alone, more so by how often the quarterback has his throw affected in the pocket.
So in addition to the seven sacks, the Browns turned in 11 quarterback hits. Cleveland overwhelmed Mariota in the first half on Sunday. Clean pocket looks were rare for the No. 2 overall pick, meaning big passing plays were also sporadic from the Titans.
The most promising part of the onslaught of pressure generated by the defense was how it did it – not just with exotic blitzing. Five of the sacks came from organic pressure upfront.
"I think Jimmy O (O'Neil) did a really good job mixing pressure with straight rush," Pettine said. "We got to him a lot with just straight four man rush. Not just the sacks, I think there was also a cumulative effect with that we hit him a bunch, too.
"We did a good job of there were a lot of pass plays, I look back, he's picking himself up off the ground. Anytime you can do that to a quarterback, not just get the production with the sacks but affect him, you like to think that that has a cumulative effect over the course of a game."
What a difference a week can make.
Two Sundays ago against the Jets, Cleveland's pass rush was non-existent, and, in turn, New York quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had his way with the Browns defense. In the locker room after the victory, several Browns mentioned how uniquely tailored this game plan was from O'Neil – and how influential it wound up being.
"We wanted to be able to put Mariota in those situations where he had to get hit when he wasn't looking and give him looks that he probably hadn't seen before," Kruger said. "Credit to Coach O'Neil and the staff … They just put together a really good plan for us."
Pregame preparation begins before the Tennessee Titans take on the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium
A fan watches pregame warmups
Browns DL Xavier Cooper gets loose in pregame warmups
Browns DL Danny Shelton gets loose in pregame warmups
Browns LB Paul Kruger high-fives fans before the game
Browns QB Johnny Manziel warming up
Browns CB Joe Haden signs autographs before pregame warmups
Browns PK Travis Coons (6) and Titans P Brett Kern (6) talk before the game
Browns FS Tashaun Gipson stretches before the start of the game
Browns OL Joe Thomas takes the field for pregame warmups
Browns back up QB Austin Davis takes snaps in pregame warmups
Browns fans watch pregame warmups against the Titans
Browns QB Johnny Manziel warms up before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans
Browns LB Barkevious Mingo catches a pass during warm ups
Former Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown watches before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns
A Cleveland Browns fan holds up a sign for QB Johnny Manziel
Cleveland Browns DL Danny Shelton is introduced
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel celebrates after a 60-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Travis Benjamin
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel pumps his fist after a 60-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin runs for a 60-yard touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half
Browns RB Duke Johnson (29) is tackled by Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Brian Orakpo (98)
QB Johnny Manziel and WR Travis Benjamin celebrate the 60 yrd TD pass in the endzone
QB Johnny Manziel lines up under center
DL Randy Starks ready and in position
WR Travis Benjamin dives into the stands after his receiving TD
Browns CB Joe Haden (23) is congratulated by teammates after recovering a fumble
The Cleveland Browns and the Tennessee Titans play at FirstEnergy Stadium
Browns RB Isaiah Crowell (34) runs in for an 11-yard touchdown against Tennessee Titans
Browns RB Isaiah Crowell (34) runs in for an 11-yard touchdown against Tennessee Titans
Head coach Mike Pettine at the end of the first half of the game
Fans cheer as the Browns take a 21-0 lead over the Titans
Browns WR Travis Benjamin (11) returns a punt towards the end of the first half
Browns WR Travis Benjamin (11) returns the ball for a 78-yard punt return during the first half
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) tries to get past Tennessee Titans cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson (25) after a pass reception
WR Travis Benjamin returns a punt
DL Danny Shelton (71) congratulates LB Paul Kruger (99)
DL Jamie Meder sacks Titans QB Marcus Mariota
Head Coach Mike Pettine signals touchdown on the sidelines
Browns D-line teams up for another sack on Titans QB Marcus Mariota
Browns RB Isaiah Crowell runs for 8 yards in the third quarter
Tennessee Titans QB Marcus Mariota, center, is tackled by Browns CB Joe Haden, left, and LB Craig Robertson
