The Cleveland Browns hosted the Buffalo Bills on Saturday afternoon at Huntington Bank Field, and it was the first time for the hometown fans to see the 2026 version of this season’s team, as Shedeur Sanders made the start under center after Deshaun Watson started last week’s game. The two continue to battle for the starting quarterback job for first-year head coach Todd Monken.
After a couple of joint practice sessions in Berea during the week, these teams clashed, sort of for real, in a preseason game Saturday afternoon on NFL Network. However, Mother Nature had other plans, as a semi-severe line of thunderstorms crossed the 216 in the first quarter, leading to a one-hour weather delay.
Things Started off Well Enough for the Browns
After what amounted to a one-hour wait for the Cleveland offense, thanks to a lengthy Buffalo touchdown drive, including a lengthy thunderstorm delay, Sanders and the offense took the field just after 2 p.m. ET.
For Sanders, he was the starting quarterback, but most of the veterans were in street clothes for this one. Despite the lack of first-team offensive weapons, Sanders hung in and engineered a touchdown drive, completing all four of his pass attempts, including a key conversion on fourth down, a 16-yard pass to Blake Whiteheart, and a scoring strike to Luke Floriea, tying the score 7-7.
Sanders wasn’t perfect, as one of his two incompletions actually went for an interception for Buffalo’s Damar Hamlin, although it wasn’t completely the fault of the quarterback, and the team was driving deep into Bills territory prior to the turnover.
Still, it was a nice effort for Sanders after he struggled in last week’s preseason loss to the Bears.
It’s Like Deja Vous all Over Again for Browns
After playing to a 10-10 tie in the first half last week, the Browns were manhandled in the second half by the Chicago Bears, eventually falling 34-10. The reserve depth just isn’t there for Monken’s squad, and that was again evident in Saturday’s loss to the Bills.
The game was tied 7-7 against Josh Allen and the Bills for most of the first half. Veteran backup Kyle Allen led a two-minute drive, hitting Mecole Hardman Jr. on a 9-yard scoring strike with 15 seconds remaining in the first half, giving Buffalo a 14-7 lead, but most could say Cleveland held its own in the first 30 minutes.
In the second half, third-string quarterback Shane Buechele helped out his roster cause with a 71-yard touchdown to Ja’Mori Maclin, and he had a 5-yard touchdown run. The Bills outscored the Browns 17-0 in the final two quarters, and for those scoring at home, Cleveland has been outscored 41-0 in the second half through two preseason games.
Deshaun Watson Shouldn’t Feel too Comfortable
Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
During the week, a lot of talking heads were thinking it is a foregone conclusion that Monken’s hands are tied, and he’ll be forced to use Watson as his starting quarterback because of the massive amount of money No. 4 will be receiving this season. The coach has been honest, assessing both quarterbacks, seemingly giving them both a fair chance to win the job.
Sanders helped himself in the battle, even if it still turns out he will be the backup because of the business side of things. Watson, on the other hand, was a disaster, completing just five of his 12 passes for 36 yards, no touchdowns and one interception on an overthrow. He also ran for 13 yards on a pair of attempts.
Raheim Sanders Can’t get the Ball Rolling
With Quinshon Judkins dealing with a nagging, minor injury, and Dylan Sampson held out of the game, it was Raheim Sanders and Ahmani Marshall getting a lion’s share of the work in the backfield.
Sampson led the team with 31 rushing yards, but that came on 12 carries, or just 2.6 yards per tote. Marshall wasn’t much better, amassing 18 yards on eight rushes, although he did have a nice 11-yard reception to move the chains on a fourth down on the team’s initial TD drive.
Davon Booth rushed three times for 16 yards, and had 53 yards on four totes in Chicago, including a game-high 28-yard scamper. The rookie from Mississippi State is one to keep an eye on, as he has really helped himself.
Defense Odds and Ends
The defense in the second half wasn’t great, but most who played aren’t likely going to be on the 53-man roster anyway, so don’t put a lot of stock into that. Cleveland has allowed 65 points in two preseason games, and it gave up 368 total yards, including 230 through the air. The Browns also allowed 4.1 yards per carry, and forced no turnovers.
Nathaniel Watson led the way with 10 total stops, including two of the solo variety, while Donovan McMillon had eight total stops, five solo tackles and one tackle for loss. Winston Reid is an impact player, and he showed up with six total stops, including two solo tackles. Michael Coats Jr. has turned heads in training camp, and he was back after leaving with an injury last week. He finished with four stops, including three solo tackles.
Mike Hall Jr., who missed two-plus weeks due to injury, made his preseason debut, posting a solo tackle, the team’s only sack, and a tackle for loss with one quarterback hit.
