In a gritty Sunday showdown in Cleveland, the Cleveland Browns fell 23–16 to the Baltimore Ravens, as rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders struggled in his first NFL action and veteran edge rusher Myles Garrett wreaked havoc with four sacks. The keyword “Shedeur Sanders” is at the heart of this story.
The Browns entered the game with a chance to climb out of the early-season hole, but the Ravens pulled away thanks to a late explosion. Baltimore’s tight end Mark Andrews stunned Cleveland with a 35-yard go-ahead touchdown run on a fourth-and-1 play with 2:31 remaining. According to ESPN, that play marked Andrews’ first career rushing TD and vaulted Baltimore to a 23-16 win.
Cleveland’s defense did plenty early: Myles Garrett notched four sacks, extending his season total to 15 and becoming the first player since 2019 to post two games with at least four sacks in a season. The Browns also grabbed a pick-six from linebacker Devin Bush, giving the home team a 13-3 second-quarter lead.
But the spotlight was squarely on Shedeur Sanders, who took over for an injured rookie starter in the second half. The fifth-round pick went 4 of 16 for just 47 yards, threw one interception, and fumbled once after being sacked twice—finishing with a brutal 13.5 passer rating. “I don’t think I played well at all,” Sanders admitted postgame.
Meanwhile, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson completed 14 of 25 passes for 193 yards and two interceptions but delivered when it counted most. The Browns’ offense stalled dramatically after Sanders took over; they managed only 64 yards in the second half.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said, “Look, we trust our guys to perform… he’s no different,” in reference to Sanders’ debut. On the other side, Ravens coach John Harbaugh applauded the team for digging out of a 1-5 start, calling the win a sign they’re “just above water; we’re breathing.”
Fans and analysts responded enthusiastically. On social media, some Browns supporters lamented the lack of offensive spark, while others rallied around Sanders, saying, “He’s young—let him grow.” A common refrain: “The hits come fast in the NFL.” Ravens fans celebrated the clutch fourth-down play with GIFs of Andrews’ run and Garrett’s sack dance. One Twitter post read, “Garrett is just unfair right now.”
The loss drops the Browns to 2-8, and they are set to face the Las Vegas Raiders on the road next Sunday, with Gabriel’s concussion status looming. For the Ravens (5-5), they head home to host the New York Jets, looking to build on their fourth straight win and climb in the tough AFC North.
