Shedeur Sanders may not yet have won the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition, but the second-year passer made it increasingly difficult for Todd Monken to dismiss the evidence presented on Saturday.

Sanders completed his first eight passes and directed the Browns’ only scoring drive during a 31–7 defeat by Buffalo. Working behind a reserve offensive line, he converted fourth down before finding Luke Floriea for an eight-yard touchdown and finished 9-of-11 for 74 yards. His lone interception came when a pass behind Jermaine Terry was tipped into the hands of Damar Hamlin, who also led Buffalo with five tackles while strengthening his claim to a role in its rebuilt safety rotation.

Deshaun Watson, meanwhile, received a markedly different response from the Cleveland crowd. He was booed heavily while completing five of 12 attempts for only 34 yards and an interception across four scoreless possessions. His first two drives both ended three-and-out after producing minus-one yard. Monken refused to name a starter afterwards, arguing that the decision would not rest upon one performance, but acknowledged Sanders’ progress.

“There’s a lot there to like,” the head coach said. “I thought he looked comfortable. I thought he operated well. Obviously, we’ve got to take care of the football, but he continues to improve.”

Watson described the crowd’s treatment as ‘disrespectful’, and maintained that the reception surrounded more than his display against Buffalo. The veteran has now failed to create meaningful separation in a contest Cleveland once appeared determined to resolve in his favour.

Elsewhere, Joe Milton III made a powerful move towards becoming Dak Prescott’s principal understudy as Dallas beat Arizona 34–13. Milton followed an opening possession that stalled on downs by directing four consecutive scoring drives. He escaped pressure to find Malik Davis for an eight-yard touchdown, launched a 53-yard score to Jonathan Mingo and ran in from one yard after connecting with Camden Brown for 70. The third-year quarterback completed nine of 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns, adding a third score on the ground and posting a 151.4 passer rating. Sam Howell went seven-of-ten for 65 yards but threw an end-zone interception after replacing him.

Los Angeles also received encouragement from its reserve quarterbacks during a 34–0 demolition of New Orleans. Stetson Bennett led four scoring possessions during the first half and ran for two touchdowns, while Ty Simpson completed eight of 12 passes for 73 yards after the interval.

The greater concern belonged with the Saints, as Zach Wilson began four-of-four but subsequently completed only two of his next eight throws and was intercepted following a miscommunication with Bub Means. Spencer Rattler then had a redzone pass returned 100 yards for a touchdown by Alex Cook.

New England rookie Behren Morton produced Saturday’s most unusual double duty. With Bryce Baringer unwell, Morton punted three times for 133 yards before completing 13 of 17 passes for 129 yards. His 37-yard touchdown to fellow undrafted rookie Nick DeGennaro with 57 seconds remaining gave the Patriots a 24–21 victory over Philadelphia.

“I wasn’t expecting to punt,” Morton admitted. “It’s been high school since I’ve punted, [but] you’ve just got to make the most of your opportunity when it comes.”

Atlanta’s offensive depth impressed during a 34–6 victory over Indianapolis. The Falcons’ reserve line allowed only three first-half pressures and opened the route for Tyler Goodson’s 49-yard touchdown. Colts quarterbacks Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson combined to complete ten of 23 passes for 86 yards, leaving Indianapolis with unresolved questions behind Daniel Jones.

J.J. McCarthy endured persistent pressure as Baltimore defeated Minnesota 13–3. The Vikings quarterback faced six pressures across 11 dropbacks and completed four of ten passes for 81 yards, with 50 arriving on one connection with Tai Felton. Baltimore veteran Ethan Pocic, continuing his recovery from a torn Achilles, increased his workload as the Ravens consider how to replace injured centre Danny Pinter.

Najee Harris’ arrival may already be affecting the Giants’ backfield hierarchy. Tyrone Tracy Jr rushed six times for 26 yards but lost a redzone fumble during New York’s 26–3 victory over Miami. Devin Singletary produced 40 yards and a touchdown from eight carries, while Tracy also appeared on kickoff coverage as he attempts to preserve his place alongside Harris and starter Cam Skattebo.

Caleb Williams led one scoring possession as Chicago lost 27–9 in Cincinnati. The Bears reached the redzone before a holding penalty erased Roschon Johnson’s ten-yard run, and Williams completed three of six passes for 28 yards before Chicago settled for a field goal. Bengals rookie Colbie Young caught three passes for 48 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown.

Tampa Bay edged Kansas City 16–15 despite gaining only nine yards across Baker Mayfield’s two possessions. Mayfield, playing in the preseason for the first time in two years, completed two of four passes for ten yards without his starting left tackle or four leading receivers. Buccaneers rookie Rueben Bain Jr supplied a more encouraging debut, beating Kahlil Benson with an explosive inside move during his six defensive snaps.

Detroit completed Saturday’s results by beating Washington 17–13. Jayden Daniels’ long-awaited return lasted only three plays, including an incompletion and a sack, while Joshua Dobbs and Luke Altmyer continued their competition to replace the departed Teddy Bridgewater as Jared Goff’s backup. Dobbs offset a strip-sack and interception with a 50-yard run; Altmyer completed nine of 13 passes for 86 yards.