Shedeur Sanders: TD, 9 of 11 in 31-7 Loss

Shedeur Sanders threw an 8-yard touchdown and went 9 of 11 for 74 yards in perhaps his last look at Cleveland's starting job, the Associated Press reported, as the Browns lost 31-7 to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday at Huntington Bank Field. Sanders started and played the first half. Deshaun Watson took the second half into the fourth quarter. Todd Monken still has not named a Week 1 quarterback.

A 64-minute weather delay stopped the game early in the first quarter. After it, Sanders was clean on Cleveland's opening drive and hit Luke Floriea for the tying score, AP wrote. He completed his first eight passes. The only turnover was a ball thrown behind tight end Jermaine Terry that got tipped and intercepted by Damar Hamlin.

Shedeur Sanders box score: 9 of 11, TD, INT

ESPN's final had Buffalo 31-7. Ray Davis opened it with a 1-yard rush touchdown. Sanders answered, 11 plays and 65 yards, Floriea from 8 yards, Andre Szmyt extra point, 7-7 with 2:56 left in the first. Bills.com said a lightning delay forced both teams off with 13:11 to play in the first quarter. AP timed that pause at 64 minutes.

Sanders finished 9 of 11 for 74 yards, one touchdown, one interception, AP and Bleacher Report both had it. He played behind a second-string line and mostly backups, AP noted, and stayed patient in the pocket. Hamlin's pick killed a red-zone drive in the second quarter. Bills.com credited inside linebacker Joe Andreessen with getting a hand on the throw before Hamlin settled under it. The News-Herald had Sanders playing the entire first half by design.

Watson went 5 of 12 for 35 yards with an interception, AP reported, and played into the fourth. He had started last week's exhibition in Chicago. The Browns are 0-2 in the preseason. Monken is choosing between Watson, who has started 19 games for Cleveland since 2022 after injuries and an NFL suspension, and Sanders, the fifth-round pick who showed flashes as a rookie. The decision could come within 48 hours, the News-Herald wrote.

Bills backups pile it on after Josh Allen sits

Josh Allen and most Buffalo starters sat. First-year coach Joe Brady liked Thursday's joint practice enough to give the regulars the day off, AP said. Kyle Allen started and went 10 of 12 for 128 yards. His 9-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman Jr. with 15 seconds left in the half made it 14-7. Bills.com had Allen finding Ja'Mori Maclin for 37 yards on that two-minute drill, then dumping the screen to Hardman.

Shane Buechele took the second half and hit Maclin for a 71-yard touchdown in the third, AP and Bills.com both had the play. Buechele also scored on a 5-yard run in the fourth. Tyler Bass added a 52-yard field goal. Maclin finished with 108 receiving yards on two catches, Bills.com wrote. Buffalo is 2-0 this preseason. Next is Pittsburgh at home Thursday.

This is the same preseason week that already sat Patrick Mahomes with a knee injury in Kansas City. Cleveland's quarterback race is the other way around. Both QBs played. Neither closed it. Monken still has to pick one before Jacksonville in Week 1.

Shedeur Sanders FAQ

What were Shedeur Sanders' stats vs the Bills? 9 of 11 for 74 yards, one touchdown (8 yards to Luke Floriea), one interception (tipped, Damar Hamlin), per AP, ESPN, and Bleacher Report. He started and played the first half.

Did Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson start Saturday? Sanders started. Watson entered in the third quarter and went 5 of 12 for 35 yards with an interception, AP reported. Josh Allen did not play for Buffalo.

What was the Bills vs Browns final score? Buffalo 31-7. ESPN's scoring: Davis 1-yard rush, Floriea 8-yard catch from Sanders, Hardman 9-yard catch from Kyle Allen, Bass 52-yard field goal, Maclin 71-yard catch from Buechele, Buechele 5-yard rush.