Dawgs By Nature
Cleveland Browns rookies Shedeur Sanders and Harold Fannin Jr. have quickly developed a productive chemistry over the past three games.
Since Sanders took over the starting quarterback role in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders, the duo has connected on 15 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns. The highlight came on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans when Fannin hauled in eight passes for 114 yards and a touchdown, building the foundation for Sanders as he threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns.
That was the first 100-yard receiving day for Fannin, and the first 300-yard passing day for Sanders, which led to both players being nominated for the NFL’s Rookie of the Week Award for Week 14.
In addition to the three touchdown passes, Sanders rushed for his first touchdown of the season. His 364 passing yards are tied for the third-most in franchise history, trailing just Baker Mayfield, who surpassed 300 yards three times in 2018, including a high of 397 yards against the Houston Texans.
On the season, Sanders has completed 52.4 percent of his passes for 769 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. He will have the opportunity to build on those stats after head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Monday that Sanders will remain the starter for the rest of the season.
Fannin’s 100-yard day makes him just the second tight end in franchise history to record a 100-yard day, joining Hall-of-Famer Ozzie Newsome as the only rookies to hit that mark. Fannin is tied for the team lead with fellow tight end David Njoku for the team lead in touchdown receptions with four, and leads the team in receptions (59) and receiving yards (619).
Sanders and Fannin are competing for the award against Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey, New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal, Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori, and Tennessee safety Kevin Winston.
Fan voting for the weekly award is open until Thursday at 11 a.m. at NFL.com.
