The Cleveland Browns came into Sunday chasing a bounce-back performance, only to fall 31-29 to the Tennessee Titans on the back of a 161-yard rushing day from running back Tony Pollard.
Despite the loss, which officially eliminated Cleveland from the NFL playoffs, rookie QB Shedeur Sanders produced his best game yet.
Sanders completed 23-of-42 passes for a season-high 364 yards, three touchdown passes, and a 7-yard rushing score, including engineering a two-touchdown fourth-quarter rally that fell short after two failed two-point attempts.
In doing so, Sanders also became the first Browns QB with 300+ pass yards, 3+ pass TDs, and a rush TD in the same game since 1950.
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Statistically, it was Sanders’ best passing output of the season and produced multiple explosive plays, including a 60-yard Jerry Jeudy touchdown.
For Cleveland, the numbers matter because Sanders arrived in the rotation through circumstance (Dillon Gabriel’s concussion) and has since been given a brief run to be evaluated as the team’s next lead passer.
Coach Kevin Stefanski has treated the position on a week-by-week basis, but confirmed Sanders would keep the start in this stretch.
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There has been rising public and media pressure, from local fans to national pundits, urging the Browns to settle on a direction at quarterback rather than continue a rotating door of options.
Analysts and commentators have amplified calls to lean into Sanders’ upside while also warning the team to temper expectations given his limited pro snaps.
Sanders’ Titans outing expands the evidence that he can create big plays and lead late comebacks, but the Browns’ overall record means the team will treat this as part of a wider evaluation rather than definitive proof of a long-term solution.
Looking ahead, Sanders will get a few more chances to prove himself, including at Chicago, vs. Buffalo, vs. Pittsburgh, and at Cincinnati in Week 18.
Even if Cleveland is out of playoff contention, the game offers a prime chance to prove Sunday’s performance wasn’t just a one-off.
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