Sanders’ best pass of the day was a 60-yard touchdown to Jerry Jeudy with 2:47 remaining in the second quarter to put the Browns up 17-14. Sanders threw a well-timed ball on a post route to Jeudy, who hauled it in at the Titans 41 and outraced Darrell Baker Jr. and Amani Hooker to the end zone.
It also showed that Sanders and Jeudy are developing more of a rapport after the two had a sideline spat last week against San Francisco that was shown on television.
“Obviously me and Jerry had that dispute or whatever last week. But I have faith in him, he has faith in me, and everybody put everything aside,” Sanders said. “It was truly exciting being able to connect with him, because I know the season hasn’t gone the way he wanted to this year.”
Sanders was 9 of 14 for 180 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. He struggled in the third quarter, going 3 of 10 for 47 yards and an interception before nearly rallying Cleveland in the fourth with a rushing touchdown and a 7-yard TD pass to Harold Fannin Jr. after falling behind 31-17.
Besides the interception, which came on a scramble and was just heaved into the middle of the field before it was picked off, Sanders fumbled the exchange from center Luke Wypler on the first 2-point attempt. Wypler came in at center during the third quarter after starter Ethan Pocic suffered what could be a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.
Sanders, though, was not on the field for the second and potential tying 2-point conversion. Running back Quinshon Judkins lined up to take the direct snap and appeared as if he was going to pitch it to wide receiver Gage Larvadain on an end around.
The pitch never happened, and Judkins’ pass was batted away, allowing the Titans to hold on for only their second win of the season.
“I would wish I would always have the ball in my hand, but that’s not what football is,” Sanders said. “I know we practiced something, and we executed it in practice, and we just didn’t seem to this day. So, I would never go against, you know, kind of like what the call was or anything.”
Cam Ward, the top pick in April’s draft, saw Sanders on the field postgame after the two trained together leading up to the draft.
Other Titans also were impressed with Sanders’ performance, which happened on a snowy day on Cleveland’s lakefront with conditions not suitable for passing.
“He’s a competitor, man. He’s been a competitor his whole life,” defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said. “I told him that’s his team now, and you’re going to be a star in this league.”