CLEVELAND — In a closely contested match, the Cleveland Browns fell to the Tennessee Titans 31-29 on March 10, 2024, with coach Kevin Stefanski taking responsibility for a key decision that ultimately sealed the game. The Browns, trailing 31-17 with just six minutes left, made a valiant effort to rally under rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, but a failed two-point conversion attempt proved decisive.
Sanders, who had been sidelined during the critical play, had earlier orchestrated a comeback with two late touchdown drives. He first scored on a 7-yard run but mishandled the ball while attempting the two-point conversion, leading to a turnover. With just over a minute remaining, Sanders connected with rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. for another touchdown, but the Browns opted for a Wildcat formation instead of putting Sanders back on the field for the two-point attempt.
In the Wildcat play, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins took a direct snap but struggled to execute the play, leading to a chaotic moment where he attempted a backward pass to rookie wide receiver Gage Larvadain. The pass fell incomplete, sealing the loss for Cleveland.
Stefanski, who had recently delegated playcalling responsibilities to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, accepted full accountability for the unsuccessful conversion. “I make every call. … I’m responsible for all of it,” he stated after the game. Despite his earlier decisions, he acknowledged the shortcomings of the play and the need for improvement.
Throughout the season, the Browns have relied on the Wildcat formation in critical situations, where Judkins had previously scored four touchdowns. However, he had been stopped short in earlier plays during the game, raising questions about the effectiveness of the strategy.
Sanders commented on the situation, expressing his desire to be involved in every play. “If I’m out there any play, I wish I would always have the ball in my hand… We practiced something, and we executed it in practice, and we just didn’t seem to today,” he said. The young quarterback, drafted 144th overall, had his best performance yet, completing 23 of 42 passes for 364 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception, as well as rushing for 29 yards.
Despite his strong showing, the defeat marked the Browns’ 3-10 record this season, eliminating them from playoff contention. The loss also increased their chances of securing the number one pick in the 2026 NFL Draft from 6.6% to 14%, according to ESPN Analytics.
Reflecting on Sanders’ performance, Stefanski noted, “He fought throughout the game, which we knew he would. Obviously, with any young player, there are going to be ups and downs. I thought there were some really, really good moments.”
The Browns will need to regroup as they prepare for the challenges ahead this season, with a focus on learning from missed opportunities and refining their strategies moving forward.
