Overview
- Cleveland fell to 2-6 after a 32-13 loss to the Patriots, with Dillon Gabriel going 21-of-35 for 156 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
- Kevin Stefanski confirmed Gabriel will start after the Week 9 bye and responded to questions about Shedeur Sanders by saying, "That's not my focus."
- Shedeur Sanders was inactive with a back issue; he told reporters it was not his decision to sit, while the team said a pregame workout showed he was not ready.
- Sanders drew attention by liking a reporter’s post urging the Browns to start him, as local hosts and former players pressed publicly for a switch.
- Veterans such as Joel Bitonio urged patience with the rookie starter, as the league’s second-worst offense heads into a bye before facing the Jets and the Nov. 4 trade deadline.