Sanders, a highly-rated draft prospect who endured a dramatic fall into the fifth round in April, entered the game fourth on the Browns depth chart, but was pressed into starting duty because of injuries.

Two plays later Sanders fired a 7-yard TD strike between two defenders to tie the game in the second quarter. After a couple of nifty runs and throws, Sanders found Davis again over the middle for a 12-yard score to give Cleveland the lead with 1:04 left in the first half. Davis finished with three catches for 23 yards.

The Panthers aided in Sanders’ success. Carolina muffed a punt return at its own 10-yard line in the second quarter, and the Browns recovered. Sanders rolled out and fired the ball between two defenders to Davis on a second-and-7 play to tie the game at 7-all in the second quarter.