Shedeur Sanders Enters Crucial Stretch as Browns Eye Future at Quarterback
The Shedeur Sanders era in Cleveland is officially underway - and now, it’s about to get real.
After two starts, the rookie quarterback steps into Week 14 with more than just another game on the schedule. For Sanders, this stretch is shaping up as a pivotal audition not only for his long-term role with the Browns but also for how the team navigates the rest of this season. With Deshaun Watson still under contract and expected to return next year, Sanders is on the clock to show he belongs - and fast.
Let’s be clear: the early numbers haven’t exactly lit up the stat sheet. Through two games, Sanders has completed just 51% of his passes (31-of-61) for 405 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
He’s been sacked six times and added only 21 yards on the ground across five rushing attempts. His 6.64 yards per attempt ranks 36th in the league - not ideal - and his average depth of target (8.69 yards) sits 22nd, suggesting he’s trying to push the ball downfield but not always with success.
Advanced metrics paint a similar picture. A 69.4 passer rating, a 7.0 QBR, and sub-40 grades in both overall and passing categories from PFF underscore the growing pains. Add in an EPA per play of -0.31 and a total pass EPA of -20.98, and it’s clear Sanders has struggled to find rhythm and efficiency in his first taste of NFL action.
But context matters - and Sanders has had anything but a soft landing.
His NFL debut came against the Baltimore Ravens, one of the most physical and aggressive defenses in the league. His first official start?
On the road in Las Vegas. His second?
A home game played in swirling winds that topped 35 MPH. Not exactly a recipe for rookie quarterback success.
That’s what makes this week’s matchup so intriguing. The Tennessee Titans come to town with a defense ranked 28th in DVOA and 26th against the pass.
The weather? Much more forgiving.
Winds are projected to stay around 12 MPH - a far cry from last week’s gusty chaos. Add in the comfort of back-to-back home games and a full week of normal preparation (no Thanksgiving distractions), and this is as favorable a setup as Sanders has had so far.
For the Browns, the stakes are layered. On one hand, they’re evaluating their young quarterback in real time.
On the other, there’s a veteran in Watson waiting in the wings. If Sanders falters, the calls to bring back the former starter could grow louder - even before the season ends.
But for now, the focus is on Sanders. The opportunity is there.
The conditions are right. And the Browns, for better or worse, are giving him the runway to prove he can lead this franchise into the future.
Now it’s up to him to take off.