Welcome to Week 9 of the NFL season!
Today’s slate of games opens early as the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons tangle in Madrid, Spain, at 9:30 a.m.
The day closes with Tampa Bay taking on Chicago in a renewal of an old NFC Central clash on Sunday Night Football.
And in between? Oh, nothing much, just what will be the most over-analyzed Cleveland Browns game of the season as they face the New Orleans Saints.
If the Browns are serious about staying in the playoff race, there is no excuse to lose
this game. The Saints are bad and have nothing to play for. Cleveland’s defense should be good enough to limit whatever New Orleans wants to do on offense.
But all the attention will be on Cleveland’s offense, as Shedeur Sanders is making a spot start at quarterback while Deshaun Watson is still in the concussion protocol.
There is already talk that if Sanders looks even remotely competent, head coach Todd Monken will bench Watson and turn Cleveland’s playoff hopes over to Sanders in an attempt to “see what the Browns have.” Never mind that Monken has never once even hinted that he would consider such lunacy.
Watson has not been playing good, but in Cleveland’s wins he has been good enough. And there is no evidence to support the idea that the Browns would be in the playoff picture in November if Sanders had been the starter from Week 1.
It’s the Browns and quarterbacks, so people tend to get irrational. But there isn’t a single team in the league that would bench its starter and go with a backup in this situation, so there is no reason for the Browns to be trendsetters.
Sanders gets the start today, because that is what the backup quarterback does when the starter is out. Then, as soon as the starter is cleared to play, things go back to the way they were.
The Browns need to win this game, and it doesn’t matter how they do it as long as they accomplish that goal. But no matter what happens, the quarterback pecking order is established and is not changing.
Let’s get the day rolling with the latest edition of the Sunday Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature
Shedeur Sanders’ have a shot at Deshaun Watson’s job? Talking to myself about it (Jared Mueller): Only if head coach Todd Monken suffers a concussion.
Browns Deshaun Watson cleared to play in Week 9, could back up Shedeur Sanders (Jared Mueller): If Sanders struggles, will head coach Todd Monken resist the urge to make an in-game change?
Browns work out five players, including two running backs (Thomas Moore): Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry never takes a day off.
Browns trade deadline rumor: GM Andrew Berry focused on 2 positions (Jared Mueller): If the Browns win today, will that make Berry more aggressive at the trade deadline? Should it?
Browns fans tame their expectations, but still see a win over the Saints (Chris Pokorny): The Saints are beatable. Can the Browns take advantage?
NFL predictions: Shedeur Sanders vs. Tyler Shough, a battle of last year’s rookie QBs in Browns-Saints (Chris Pokorny): The DBN staff is mixed about Cleveland’s prospects this afternoon.
Browns season heading into Week 9 versus the Saints: Ahead of schedule good enough? (Curtiss Brown): As Bill Parcells supposedly said, you are what your record says you are.
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Cleveland Browns
How Browns RT Tytus Howard understands Deshaun Watson’s road to return (Beacon Journal): Howard made a quick recovery from his concussion, but the quarterback position is different.
Can Shedeur Sanders do anything to revive Browns offense? (Terry Pluto): That is the question inquiring minds want to know.
Deshaun Watson cleared from concussion protocol, will make the trip to New Orleans (cleveland.com): This has the potential to be interesting. Or awkward. Or both.
Browns-Saints Preview: 3 things to watch, 3 key numbers, the prediction (Browns Zone): Here are some non-quarterback items to watch for in today’s game.
NFL
The Saints poured resources into fixing their rushing attack. So why is it still broken? (nola.com): The Saints can’t run the ball. But the Browns are not very good at stopping the run. Which side will win out today?
Ravens not expected to deal RB Derrick Henry before NFL trade deadline (ESPN): The Ravens are taking on water and sinking fast. Which is a shame.
Why Khalil Mack’s desire to stay makes a case for Chargers not being deadline sellers (The Athletic): A player who has been linked to the Browns is happy to stay in Los Angeles.
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