Shedeur Sanders put up some massive numbers during a 31-29 loss to the Tennessee Titans but the Cleveland Browns quarterback was not on the field for the most important play of the game.
The rookie quarterback lit up the stat sheet, throwing for 364 yards and totaling four touchdowns, including a late seven-yard run that sparked a furious fourth-quarter rally. Sanders later found tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in the end zone to pull Cleveland within striking distance.
Instead of kicking the extra point, however, the Browns rolled the dice — twice. They attempted two-point conversions after both touchdowns and failed on each try, derailing what could have been a signature comeback on Sanders’ breakout night.
After the game, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski took the blame for the play-calling. It’s interesting, considering Stefanski handed over the play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees after the bye week.
“Not going to get into all the specifics but did not go as we thought it would. I make every call. It’s a two-point play. Didn’t come through on our first two-point play. Got to the second two-point play and didn’t come through,” Stefanski said. “That’s on me. I’m responsible for all of it.”
Browns Under Fire for Late Shedeur Sanders Decision
The decision from Stefanski and the Browns drew a flurry of criticism from some notable names after the game for taking Sanders off the field with the game on the line. Skip Bayless weighed in on the situation in all caps.
“SHEDEUR TO FANNIN FOR THE CLUTCH TD — THEN STEFANSKI TAKES SHEDEUR OUT FOR THE WILDCAT — DISASTER. STEFANSKI BLOWS ANOTHER GAME,” Bayless said. “HE JUST COULDN’T STAND SEEING SHEDEUR TIE THE GAME WITH A 2-POINT CONVERSION AFTER SUCH A GREAT LONG TD DRIVE. FIRE STEFANSKI!”
Hall of Famer turned talking head Shannon Sharpe also weighed in.
“Browns removing Shedeur constantly on goal 2 go situations and going wildcat needs to be studied. Played his butt off and the most important snap. He’s on the SL. That’s bulljive,” Shannon Sharpe said.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Makes History in Loss
Despite the loss, Sanders became the first Browns rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era with 300-plus pass yards, two touchdown passes and a rushing score in the same game. It’s not the first notable accomplishment for Sanders this season. He won his first start against the Las Vegas Raiders, becoming the first rookie quarterback to win his debut since Eric Zeier in 1995.
Sanders did throw an ill-advised interception that the Titans flipped into a touchdown to take the lead in the third quarter.
“He fought throughout the game. We knew he would. With any young player, there will be some ups and downs. I thought there were some really, really good moments,” Stefanski said. “He’ll keep learning from the plays he wants back but some really good moments.”
The Browns were unable to capitalize on the big performance, doomed by special teams errors and the defense’s inability to slow down the Titans’ run game.
“You go into any game versus anybody, you have to play your best and execute when it’s time to execute. It’s our job as coaches to put our guys in a position to win,” Stefanski said. “We came up short. Bottom line.”
The Browns and Sanders face the NFC-leading Chicago Bears next week.
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