How Shedeur Sanders fared in first 2026 start: Browns QB shines late vs. Saints

When the Cleveland Browns announced that Shedeur Sanders would be starting Sunday's matchup against the New Orleans Saints, no one was sure what to expect. Deshaun Watson was not exactly the fan favorite to win Cleveland's quarterback battle this offseason, but he led the Browns to a 5-3 start with five game-winning drives. After Watson suffered a concussion during the Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was Sanders' turn to show what he could do.

The second-year signal-caller completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-22 overtime loss in New Orleans. Sanders became the only quarterback to register multiple 60-yard completions this season, and the first Browns quarterback to throw for 250 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions in a game since Jameis Winston in 2024, per CBS Sports Research.

This was a bizarre yet entertaining affair that featured 33 total points scored in the fourth quarter and overtime after the final stanza began tied 6-6. Sanders himself also put together a sleepy performance through three quarters before the points started coming in bunches.

With Sanders in the lineup, we got to see how he operates with all of Cleveland's new young…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/