Shedeur Sanders Faces Defining Test as Browns Battle Banged-Up Titans
Let’s not crown a fifth-round rookie just yet, but Week 14 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for Shedeur Sanders - one that could either solidify his case as the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback of the future or bring his audition crashing back to earth.
With Tennessee Titans cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis sidelined by an Achilles injury, the door is open for Sanders to attack one of the league’s most vulnerable secondaries. Tennessee ranks 27th in EPA per play allowed through the air - a stat that paints a clear picture: this defense can be thrown on.
And that might just tempt offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to loosen the reins a bit. The Browns have leaned heavily on the run in recent weeks, but this matchup could be the right time to let Sanders air it out and show what he’s really made of.
So far, the Browns haven’t exactly been slinging it. Over the past three games - all with Sanders seeing significant time under center - Cleveland has averaged just 24 pass attempts per game, the second-fewest in the NFL during that span.
That’s a conservative number, especially for a team that’s often playing from behind. Since stepping in for the injured Dillon Gabriel at halftime in Week 11, Sanders has been operating under a cautious game plan.
But if the Browns truly want to evaluate what they have in him, Sunday against a winless Titans team at home (0-7 in Nashville this season) could be the best chance they get.
Still, don’t expect Kevin Stefanski to completely abandon his risk-averse tendencies. The Browns have been methodical - sometimes to a fault - in how they’ve brought Sanders along. But this game presents a rare opportunity: a beatable opponent, a depleted secondary, and a chance to see how Sanders responds when the game plan leans more on his arm.
A Shaky Offensive Line Could Complicate Sanders’ Big Moment
Of course, it’s not just about the defense Sanders is facing - it’s about the protection in front of him. And that’s where things get complicated.
Cleveland’s offensive line has been in flux all season, but there was a brief stretch of stability after the team traded for left tackle Cam Robinson in late September. From Week 8 on, the Browns finally had a consistent starting five: Robinson, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, and Jack Conklin. But that continuity didn’t last.
Last week against the 49ers, Stefanski began rotating right guards, mixing in Teven Jenkins alongside Teller. Now, with Teller dealing with a calf injury and Conklin ruled out due to a concussion, the Browns will be forced to shuffle again. Jenkins is expected to start at guard, while 2024 seventh-rounder KT Leveston will take over at right tackle.
That’s a tough draw for any quarterback, let alone a rookie still finding his footing. Leveston has struggled in limited action this season, allowing five sacks and 20 pressures in just 357 offensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
That ties him for the team lead in sacks allowed - not exactly the kind of stat you want to see from your emergency starter. And it’s not just Leveston.
Robinson, the veteran on the opposite side, has posted nearly identical numbers: five sacks and 20 pressures allowed in 400 snaps since joining the lineup in Week 6.
For Sanders, who tends to hold onto the ball and look for big plays downfield, that kind of pressure off the edge could be a real problem. The Titans may be struggling overall, but if they can get consistent heat off both sides, they could turn this into a long afternoon for the rookie.
The Path Forward: Quick Game, Smart Reads, and Controlled Aggression
So what’s the answer? It might not be flashy, but the Browns could lean into the quick game - fast reads, shorter throws, and a rhythm-based passing attack that gets the ball out of Sanders’ hands before the pressure arrives.
That doesn’t mean abandoning the run, but it does mean finding a better balance. Even against a defense that’s been exposed all year, the Browns can’t afford to get reckless.
This is a big moment for Sanders. Not because he’s expected to light up the scoreboard, but because this game offers a chance to show growth - poise in the pocket, command of the offense, and the ability to make smart decisions under less-than-ideal conditions.
If he can do that, even in a conservative game plan, it’ll go a long way toward earning more trust from the coaching staff and more belief from the fan base. If not, the Browns may find themselves back at square one in their ongoing search for a long-term answer at quarterback.
Either way, Sunday’s matchup in Tennessee isn’t just another game on the schedule. It’s a measuring stick - for Sanders, for the offense, and for a Browns team still trying to figure out where it’s headed next.