At least at first glance, the better news is that the Browns continue to make progress.

They used a third-quarter flurry to seize control, then held on in the fourth to beat the Titans, 23-17, Saturday night in Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Two quarterbacks played well and spread the ball around, and the defense made big plays and was solid against one of the league's best rushing attacks. The Browns were still far from perfect - but probably just as far towards the other end of the spectrum from what they were two weeks ago in Green Bay.

Saturday, the Browns scored 17 unanswered points in a wild third quarter that included a 20-yard touchdown pass from Brady Quinn to Braylon Edwards, the Browns' first passing touchdown of the preseason.

"We were able to generate some drives, though we settled for three points a couple times when obviously we would have liked to get seven," Browns head coach Eric Mangini said. "But I thought we faced a little adversity and handled it well. We made some big plays on defense and we responded in some situations that helped us win the game."

Alex Hall returned an interception 11 yards for a touchdown with 5:49 left in the third to make it 20-7. The Browns forced three Titans turnovers and didn't give up one of their own, and the TD pass came just two plays after a Kaluka Maiava fumble recovery.

"Especially against Tennessee, we really stressed the importance of protecting the football and I thought we did a nice job with that," Mangini said.

The Browns improve to 2-1 in the preseason, 2-0 at home. The Titans slip to 1-3.

Quinn started the game and was 11-of-15 throwing for 128 yards. In Quinn's four series, the Browns kicked two field goals and scored a touchdown.

Derek Anderson completed 7-of-11 for 77 yards in two drives. Edwards caught 3 passes for 51 yards including the touchdown and a 25-yarder from Anderson late in the first half. Mike Furrey caught 3 passes for 35 yards, and Joshua Cribbs caught 2 for 31.

A Kamerion Wimbley sack forced the Titans three and out on the game's first series, but they struck first later in the quarter with a 12-play, 75-yard drive on which Kerry Collins went 5-of-6 for 45 yards and threw a touchdown to Justin Gage.

The Browns were outgained in the first half, 201-132, but were down just 7-3 after Robaire Smith blocked a field goal and D'Qwell Jackson forced a Vince Young fumble inside the Browns' 5-yard line that Brandon McDonald recovered.

Phil Dawson kicked the third of his three field goals with 12:44 left make it 23-14. The Titans responded with a field goal of their own, but Noah Herron was able to convert a pair of first downs as the Browns successfully killed the clock.