Overview
- Right tackle Jack Conklin was placed on injured reserve with a concussion, ending his season and further thinning protection for the rookie quarterback.
- Buffalo coach Sean McDermott called Sanders a good young player and a dangerous talent as the Bills bring the NFL’s No. 2 pass defense into Sunday’s matchup.
- Cleveland has publicly positioned the final three games as Sanders’ proving ground, with Mary Kay Cabot noting he has three chances to show he should be QB1 in 2026.
- Sanders enters the stretch with a 52.2% completion rate and a 5–6 TD-INT line after a 31–3 loss to the Bears that included three interceptions and five sacks.
- Film and local analysis highlight both deep-ball flashes to Isaiah Bond and a tendency to lock onto TE Harold Fannin, while Terry Pluto warned Sanders has been hit 28 times over the last two games.