CHICAGO (AP) — Deshaun Watson led Cleveland on two early scoring drives in the first half of Saturday's 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears, and Shedeur Sanders tossed an ugly interception in the fourth quarter of the preseason opener for each team.
Watson and Sanders are competing for the starting quarterback job in coach Todd Monken's first training camp since taking over in January. Watson was 11 for 15 for 126 yards in his first game in almost two years, and Sanders was 6 for 11 for 79 yards while playing the third quarter and first part of the fourth.
Click to Gallery
Cleveland Browns safety Christopher Edmonds (41) tackles Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (23) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson looks on during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) looks to pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken looks on during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) passes during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
KC Concepcion had a 14-yard touchdown run for Cleveland on an end around on the first play of the second quarter. The wide receiver, who also had three receptions for 27 yards, was a first-round pick in this year's draft.
Caleb Williams got the day off as Chicago coach Ben Johnson rested most of his starters. Williams passed for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns in Johnson's first season in charge, helping the Bears win the NFC North for the first time since 2018.
Tyson Bagent played the first half for the Bears, going 13 for 22 for 169 yards and a touchdown. He also threw an interception. Case Keenum was 9 for 10 for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
Kiran Amegadjie started at left tackle as Chicago continued to look at its options for a key spot on its offensive line. Jedrick Wills Jr. also played against his former team, allowing a sack by Julian Okwara late in the first half.
The 30-year-old Watson played in his first game since Oct. 20, 2024, a span of 22 months. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023 and came back the next season only to twice rupture his Achilles tendon.
He was also suspended 11 games by the NFL in 2022 after being accused of sexual assault and misconduct by two dozen massage therapists while playing in Houston.
Watson helped Cleveland open a 10-0 lead, but he also lost a fumble on a sack in the second quarter.
Sanders, who started seven games as a rookie in 2025, was picked off by Beanie Bishop Jr. on a badly overthrown pass intended for Malachi Corley early in the final period.
Bishop also intercepted a pass by Dillon Gabriel, who finished the game for Cleveland. Gabriel was 5 for 8 for 23 yards.
Browns defensive backs Michael Coats Jr. (ankle) and Nate Evans (quad) left with injuries.
Bears wide receiver Luther Burden ran on the field before the game. Burden has been sidelined by a groin injury, but he is expected to be ready for the season opener on Sept. 13 at Carolina.
Browns: Host the Buffalo Bills next Saturday. The teams have a joint practice scheduled for Thursday.
Bears: At the Cincinnati Bengals next Saturday night. The teams also will practice against each other on Thursday.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Cleveland Browns safety Christopher Edmonds (41) tackles Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (23) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson looks on during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) looks to pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken looks on during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) passes during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — New Buffalo Bills stadium. Same Josh Allen.
Allen displayed his familiar strong arm and elusive scrambling abilities on a 9-yard touchdown pass to Keon Coleman in the Bills' 29-14 preseason-opening win over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday.
The outing was the Bills' first competitive game in their new $2.1 billion stadium built across the street from the team’s former home.
It was also their first outing under new coach Joe Brady, who replaced Sean McDermott in January, and elected to play his starters to get accustomed to their new digs and coaching staff.
It didn’t take long for Allen to get comfortable in overseeing scoring drives on each of his two series. On the first offensive snap, he faked a handoff to James Cook before hitting Khalil Shakir on a crossing route for a 21-yard gain on a drive ending with Tyler Bass' 33-yard field goal.
Allen was 6 for 8 for 111 yards. On the touchdown to Coleman, Allen rolled to his right, evaded linebacker Trevis Gipson by stepping back toward the middle and throwing across his body to hit the open receiver.
The Bills appear to have avoided a scare when receiver DJ Moore, the team’s prized offseason trade acquisition, came up limping after an 18-yard catch along the left sideline, a play before Coleman scored.
Trainers and a team doctor focused on examining Moore’s lower right leg and foot before the player put back on his shoe. It’s unclear if he would have resumed playing, because Buffalo’s backups took over on the next series. Moore finished the game on the sideline in shorts and running shoes.
Bryce Young and the Panthers starters, meantime, sputtered in making their preseason debut — and after sitting out Carolina’s 33-30 win over Arizona in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 6.
The Panthers went three-and-out and combined for 11 yards on three series with Young under center. Young finished 3 of 5 for 18 yards. He played in front of a revamped line with both projected starting tackles Ickey Ekwonu (knee) and Taylor Moton (blood clot/lung) sidelined. Carolina also held out both starting guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis.
Young's primary backup Kenny Pickett closed the first half with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Seem Reed. Pickett finished 16 of 19 for 92 yards on three drives spanning halftime. Kyle Trask mopped up and competed a 9-yard TD pass to John Metchie in the final minute.
Ian Wheeler and Frank Gore Jr. accounted for Buffalo's other touchdowns with scoring runs four minutes apart in the fourth quarter.
In missing a 45-yard field-goal attempt wide right, Bass was 3 of 4 in his first game setting since Buffalo’s preseason finale a year ago. The sixth-year player missed all of last season with pelvis and hip issues.
With Panthers starting running back Chuba Hubbard nursing a hamstring injury, Jonathon Brooks started in his first competitive setting since being sidelined by a knee injury three games into his rookie season in 2024. Brooks, a second-round pick out of Texas, had three carries for 5 yards, and also had a 9-yard catch.
A bright sunny day and the Erie County Fair taking place down the street led to a less-than-capacity turnout. Though a majority of the seats at Highmark have been sold, the stadium appeared less than 75% full in the first quarter. And there were many more empty seats after halftime.
The outline of the Bills’ charging buffalo logo, at midfield, and the words “Bills” have been added to each end zone, though have yet to be colored in. Those represent additions since the team held its first practice in the new stadium last weekend.
Buffalo is scheduled to practice in the new stadium on Tuesday and closes its preseason schedule by hosting Pittsburgh on Aug. 27. The Bills' home opener is against Detroit on Sept. 17.
Panthers: At Jacksonville on Friday night.
Bills: Travel to Cleveland for joint scrimmage on Thursday, and preseason game on Aug. 22.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes around Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Deone Walker (96) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Fans find their seats in Highmark Stadium before a preseason NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young throws a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) signals for a first down after a penalty during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
