Why did Browns take Shedeur Sanders out? Kevin Stefanski under fire for 2-point conversion decision vs. Titans

Dan Treacy

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Why did Browns take Shedeur Sanders out? Kevin Stefanski under fire for 2-point conversion decision vs. Titans image

The Cleveland Browns entered Sunday in rare position as favorites against the Tennessee Titans, but an impressive day for their offense ended in disappointment after a pair of questionable late-game decisions from coach Kevin Stefanski.

Stefanski unsuccessfully opted to go for two on a touchdown that brought the Browns back within one possession despite an extra point being enough to pull Cleveland within seven points of Tennessee. When the Browns got the ball back and went down the field to score another touchdown, that meant they needed a successful two-point conversion to keep their hopes alive.

Despite a strong day from rookie QB Shedeur Sanders, Stefanski dialed up some trickery on the second two-point try, taking Sanders off the field in favor of a direct snap to Quinshon Judkins. The play quickly went sideways, and the Browns suffered a heartbreaking 31-29 loss.

Here's what you need to know about Stefanski's decision to pull Sanders for the most important play of the game.

MORE: Shedeur Sanders highlights vs. Titans

Why did Browns take Shedeur Sanders out?

Needing a two-point conversion to keep their hopes alive, Stefanski and the Browns took Sanders off the field in favor of a trick play that went wrong.

RB Quinshon Judkins took the direct snap and wasn't able to pitch it to a teammate as the play seemed to call for. Instead, Judkins had to evade Titans defenders and throw the ball into no man's land to effectively end the game. 

While there is no guarantee Sanders would have been able to convert on a more traditional play, the rookie was red hot leading up to the two-point try. He had just finished off his second consecutive touchdown drive and was 9-of-11 for 115 yards over those two drives. Sanders had completed nine of his last 10 passes leading up to the two-point trick play.

After the game, Stefanski told reporters, "I'm responsible for all of it," when asked about the controversial late-game decisions. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees took over play-calling duties for the Browns in Week 10, but Stefanski said he planned on a wildcat two-point play even before Cleveland scored its final touchdown.

Reactions to pulling Shedeur Sanders

Social media quickly blew up with criticism of Stefanski's decisions: 

MORE: Tracking Myles Garrett's chase for the single-season sack record

Shedeur Sanders stats vs. Titans

Here's a look at Sanders' impressive day against the Titans.

  • Comp. Rate: 54.8% ( 23/42)
  • Passing yards:  364
  • TDs:  3
  • INTs:  1
  • Rushing yards:  29
  • Rushing TDs:  1
  • Passer rating: 97.7

Sanders enjoyed the best game of his young career on Sunday, throwing for 364 yards and accounting for four touchdowns while tossing one interception.

The fifth-round rookie engineered one of the best offensive performances of the Browns' season, with Cleveland's 29 points trailing only a 31-point outburst against the Miami Dolphins in October, and Sanders' 364 yards are easily the most of any Browns quarterback this season.

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