CLEVELAND (AP) — Shedeur Sanders threw a touchdown pass and made good decisions in perhaps his last chance to convince coach Todd Monken he should be Cleveland's starting quarterback in the Browns' 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.
Sanders, competing with Deshaun Watson to be the No. 1 QB, completed his first eight passes. He finished 9 of 11 for 74 yards with an interception on a ball he threw behind tight end Jermaine Terry, got
tipped and picked by Damar Hamlin.
Playing with Cleveland's second-string offensive line and mostly backups, Sanders was composed and showed patience in the pocket — something he didn't always display as a rookie last season.
Watson played into the fourth quarter and went 5 of 12 for 35 yards with an interception. He started last week's exhibition opener as the Browns (0-2) lost in Chicago.
Monken is nearing a decision on whether to start Watson, who due to injuries and an NFL suspension, has started just 19 games for Cleveland since 2022 or go with Sanders, the wildly popular fifth-round pick who showed potential last season.
The Bills (2-0) rested Josh Allen and most of their starters. Buffalo first-year coach Joe Brady was pleased enough with what he saw in Thursday's joint practice against the Browns from Allen and the other regulars to give them the day off.
Kyle Allen may have secured his role as the No. 2 quarterback with a solid performance. He completed 10 of 12 passes for 128 yards in the first half. His 9-yard TD pass to Mecole Hardman Jr. gave Buffalo a 14-7 lead.
Buffalo's Shane Buechele had a 71-yard scoring pass to Ja'Mori Maclin in the third quarter. Buechele also had a 5-yard TD run.
Following a 64-minute weather delay, Sanders was flawless on Cleveland's first drive, capping by connecting with wide receiver Luke Floriea for an 8-yard TD.
Before kickoff, the Bills issued a statement offering condolences to defensive end Ed Oliver on the death of his 2-year-old son.
“It’s an unthinkable tragedy for any parent," general manager Brandon Beane said.
Oliver has been away from Buffalo's facility for periods this summer in the aftermath of his son, also named Ed, drowning in June at a residential pool in Houston.
The 28-year-old Oliver is in his eighth season with Buffalo.
The Browns have not given an update on starting defensive end Alex Wright, who appeared to sustain a serious lower leg injury Thursday.
Wright is being counted on to help offset the loss of superstar Myles Garrett, traded to the Los Angeles Rams. The Browns signed Wright to a three-year, $33 million contract during the offseason.
Cleveland doesn't have much quality or experienced depth at the end spot and may need to sign a free agent or make a trade.
The Browns gave third-year defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. a look against the Bills. He got a sack in the first quarter.
Browns WR Isaiah Bond was checked for a concussion and cleared, and WR Malachi Corley went into the medical tent in the fourth quarter.
Bills: Host Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Browns: Host New England on Thursday.
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