Shedeur Sanders could get golden opportunity to steal Deshaun Watson's starting QB job

There weren't many fans who thought the Cleveland Browns would be sporting a 5-3 record midway through first-time head coach Todd Monken 's debut season. The Browns have outperformed expectations, fueled by a stout defense and success in one-score games.

Week 8 was a bit of a wake-up call, though. Playing against their AFC North rivals, Cleveland got walloped 27-6 by the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game that was never truly close. The offense, in particular, struggled mightily. For the third straight game, quarterback Deshaun Watson failed to throw a single touchdown pass, while also taking eight sacks .

Shedeur Sanders could start in Week 9 if Deshaun Watson doesn't clear concussion protocol

Getting hit so many times appears to have shaken up Watson, as he has entered the concussion protocol in the lead-up to Week 9 . Developing concussion symptoms after a game is usually not a great sign for a player's availability for the next game. That means Shedeur Sanders could very well be the Browns' starting quarterback against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

If he does get the nod, this could be a golden opportunity for Sanders. While Watson hasn't been an outright disaster, by almost all metrics, he's been one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the league. Both PFF (grade) and ESPN (QBR) have him ranked as the 28th-best QB in the NFL this season . If Sanders can move the ball through the air more efficiently and dynamically than Watson on Sunday, it might give Monken something to think about going forward.

Many expected Sanders to make starts at some point this season. That was believed to be the plan if the Browns looked to be going nowhere, but at 5-3, Sanders simply hasn't gotten the chance to make a case for the starting job. Replacing an injured Watson is the platform Sanders needs, but he must deliver.