Alright, football fans, Week 2 of the NFL preseason just delivered some serious quarterback drama, especially in Cleveland, where Shedeur Sanders is making a legitimate push for the starting job. While many QBs balled out Saturday, it was Sanders’ day to truly put the pressure on Deshaun Watson, sparking some intense debate about what’s coming for the Browns.
Sanders Drops A Statement Drive, Then Stumbles
After Watson took the snaps in the opener, Sunday was Shedeur Sanders’ turn, and man, did he kick things off with a bang. This second-year QB went 8-of-11 for 74 yards, snagging a touchdown but also throwing an interception. His first drive? Pure poetry. Sanders led an absolute clinic, an 11-play, 65-yard march that ended in the end zone. He opened with an eight-yard beauty to wide receiver Isaiah Bond, then kept the whole thing alive with a huge 16-yard hookup to tight end Blake Whiteheart on a clutch fourth-and-2 conversion. Seriously, that’s gutsy playcalling and execution right there. Sanders then found running back Ahmani Marshall out of the backfield to get them into the red zone before capping it off with an eight-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Luke Floriea. Dude was cooking!
He played three more series, finishing out the first half, but he just couldn’t replicate that initial magic. On the second drive of the second quarter, Sanders tried to hit tight end Jermaine Terry II on a crossing route, but the Bills’ defense got a hand on it, and that pass floated right into safety Damar Hamlin’s hands for an interception. A real buzzkill after such a hot start.
Watson Struggles, Bennett Shines Out West
Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson’s performance was, well, not great. The veteran took over in the second half, finishing 5-of-12 for a measly 36 yards and an interception. He added two rushes for 13 yards, but the Cleveland faithful weren’t having it. The boos rained down, and Watson later admitted he didn’t understand why. To Sanders’ credit, he actually spoke out against the booing of Watson after the game, saying, “It’s a respect that I feel should be there.” That’s a classy move in a heated QB battle, right?
Out on the West Coast, Stetson Bennett IV definitely turned some heads. It looks like he, not Ty Simpson, might be the guy to back up Matthew Stafford for the Los Angeles Rams. Simpson had his moment in the preseason opener, but Bennett totally took over on Saturday against the New Orleans Saints. The former Georgia star was slinging it, going 19-of-31 for 181 passing yards. But wait, there’s more! He also added two carries for nine yards and, get this, a pair of rushing touchdowns. Bennett started the game and played deep into the second half, with Simpson coming in later and looking solid himself at 8-of-12 for 73 yards. The Rams offense was humming with Bennett at the helm, thanks in part to second-year running back Jarquez Hunter’s 12 carries for 68 yards and rookie wide receiver CJ Daniels’ eight receptions for 68 yards. It was a blowout, and journeyman safety Alex Cook even grabbed a 100-yard pick-six off Saints QB Spencer Rattler in the third quarter. Oh, and shoutout to Harrison Butker, who drilled a 69-yard field goal for the Chiefs against the Buccaneers, which would have been the longest in NFL history if it were the regular season. Wild stuff!
As these preseason battles heat up, the question for Cleveland now isn’t if Sanders can play, but if he can play consistently enough to unseat a veteran. And in LA, Bennett just proved he’s ready for prime time. What a start to the season’s early action!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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