The Cleveland Browns may not have their starting quarterback on the field when they face the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, as Deshaun Watson continues to work his way through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol.
While Shedeur Sanders hasn't looked particularly sharp in his limited action this season, getting more practice reps with the first team might help him shake off the rust.
Regardless, the table is set for an offensive breakout this week.
Kellen Moore's New Orleans Saints give up a whopping 27.7 points per game, the fourth-most in the league. That's just what the doctor ordered for a Browns offense that has struggled to stay on the field and score points in recent weeks.
The Saints are giving Todd Monken's Browns offense a perfect get-right opportunity
Over the first eight games of the season, Todd Monken's offense has averaged just 323.6 total yards per game, ranking 24th in the NFL. The Browns' 17.4 points per game rank 29th, and they're 30th in successful third-down conversion rate (32.4 percent).
On the other side of the field, the Saints' defense ranks 28th in total yards per game allowed (389.1), 29th in points allowed, 30th in successful third-down conversions (47.8 percent), and 29th in rushing yards allowed per game (139.4).
The Browns have relied way too much on unsustainable late-game heroics. Their slow starts have often left them treading water and playing catch-up from the start, and they won't keep getting away with that for much longer.
This is also a perfect opportunity for Sanders to make things interesting. There's no way the Browns will ever bench Watson with a 5-3 record, but Sanders playing well on Sunday could at least make it a conversation. Facing the Saints' burnable defense could certainly help in that regard.
There is simply no excuse for the Browns not to bounce back against one of the worst defenses in football, even on the road. The Saints struggle to stop the run, and with the Browns potentially playing less shotgun with Watson trending toward missing Sunday's game, Quinshon Judkins might finally get Cleveland's rushing attack going.
The Browns have too much talent on offense to be this inconsistent, and the offensive line has looked much better than its NFL-leading 33 sacks allowed shows. Now, with a more aggressive quarterback in Sanders set to take the reins in a favorable matchup, Cleveland's offense might finally be able to turn the corner.
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