Browns Host Bills on Aug. 22 With Shedeur Sanders Set for 1st Preseason Start

Q: How will the unexpected lightning delay impact Shedeur Sanders in his crucial first preseason start for the Browns?

The lightning delay likely hurts Shedeur Sanders more than it helps, because it interrupts the rhythm of what was a pivotal first preseason start and reduces the normal flow coaches want to evaluate in a quarterback competition. Sanders was scheduled to use this game as a major checkpoint in the Browns’ battle for the Week 1 job, with reports indicating he was expected to play the first half before Deshaun Watson took over later. Instead, play stopped just 1:49 into the game after only four snaps, and did not resume until 2:15 p.m. ET following an hourlong weather delay and a 15-minute warmup. That means Sanders had to reset mentally and physically before even getting a real chance to settle in. For a young quarterback, that matters. Preseason evaluation is often about command, tempo, and how quickly a passer gets comfortable with protections, reads, and timing with receivers. A long stoppage can make it harder to establish that early-game rhythm, especially for a player making his first start of the preseason and trying to strengthen his case against Watson. At the same time, the delay also creates a smaller test of composure. Coaches can learn something from how Sanders handles disruption, stays prepared during an extended wait, and responds when the game restarts under less-than-ideal conditions. But overall, the interruption made an already important audition more difficult and potentially limited how cleanly the Browns could judge his performance.

Q: With weather disrupting the game, will Deshaun Watson step onto the field to challenge for the quarterback spot?

Yes — barring a late change, Deshaun Watson is still expected to take the field despite the weather delay. Before the game, Browns coach Todd Monken’s plan was clear: Shedeur Sanders would start and play the first half, Watson would play the third quarter, and Dillon Gabriel would handle the fourth. Multiple reports during the delay said that plan remained in place when the game was set to resume at 2:15 p.m. ET after the lightning stoppage. The delay itself does not appear to have knocked Watson out of the rotation. In fact, reports during the suspension continued to describe him as “expected to play in the third quarter.” That means he remains part of the Browns’ quarterback evaluation, not someone being held out. What would be notable is if Watson suddenly does not play after the restart. One report pointed out that such a change would be a strong signal Cleveland had effectively settled the Week 1 quarterback decision in his favor and no longer needed the preseason look. But based on the available information, there was no indication of that before play resumed. So the direct answer is that weather interrupted the game, but it did not, by itself, remove Watson from the plan. Unless the Browns altered course after the delay, he was still lined up to get his chance to compete in the quarterback battle.

3 articles · Updated · clevelandbrowns.com · Aug 19

Cleveland hosts Buffalo at 1 p.m. ET on Aug. 22 at Huntington Bank Field, with Shedeur Sanders slated to start Week 2 of the preseason.
Sanders, who played the third quarter against Chicago in Week 1, is expected to work with the first team in the Aug. 20 joint practice and handle the first half Saturday as coaches assess the quarterback competition.
Todd Monken said Browns and Bills starters could sit the game if joint practices provide enough evaluation, which would shift most snaps to second-team players competing for backup roles.
Buffalo still brings passing-game depth, while Cleveland will watch whether its secondary can build on a strong opener after Michael Coats Jr. intercepted a pass and several reserve corners logged pass breakups.
The Browns enter the matchup with a 12-11 all-time regular-season edge over the Bills, though Buffalo won the teams' 2025 meeting 23-20.