Lead: On Nov. 16, 2025 in Cleveland, rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his NFL debut in the second half as the Browns fell 23-16 to the Baltimore Ravens. Despite the loss and the fanfare around Sanders, defensive stars Myles Garrett and rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger turned in standout performances that kept Cleveland’s defense among the league’s best. Garrett recorded 4.0 sacks in the game and now has 15.0 on the season, while Schwesinger added an interception — his second of the year — and continues to lead the team in tackles while playing through injury. The result left the Browns at 2-8 on the season but highlighted a defense still producing elite individual play.
Key Takeaways
- Myles Garrett had 4.0 sacks vs. the Ravens on Nov. 16, bringing his season total to 15.0 sacks and putting him squarely in the DPOY discussion.
- Three of Garrett’s sacks came in the first half, including a third-and-goal takedown for a 4-yard loss that forced a field goal and a 9-yard sack that set up a Browns pick-six.
- Rookie LB Carson Schwesinger intercepted Lamar Jackson with 4:28 left in the third quarter; it was Schwesinger’s second interception of the season (first in Week 8 vs. New England).
- Schwesinger leads the Browns in tackles, is calling the defense, and has played through a high-ankle sprain sustained earlier in the season against the Patriots.
- Shedeur Sanders entered the game in the second half for his NFL debut, but the Browns failed to register an offensive touchdown in the 23-16 defeat.
- The Browns’ record stands at 2-8, underscoring a difficult season despite defensive bright spots.
Background
The Browns entered the Nov. 16 game seeking momentum in a season that has not matched preseason expectations. Cleveland’s defense entered the contest with a reputation for producing high-impact plays even as the offense sputtered; that unit had already shown playmaking in prior weeks and was relied upon to keep competitive games within reach. Myles Garrett, the franchise cornerstone, has been the most consistent pass-rush threat, and his recent string of games has elevated talk of league honors. Meanwhile, second-year and rookie defenders such as Carson Schwesinger have emerged quickly, filling major roles amid injuries and lineup turnover.
Shedeur Sanders’ arrival added a new storyline: the rookie quarterback, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, carried heavy media attention and fan interest into his first NFL snaps. His debut came in the second half in front of a Cleveland crowd eager to see a potential long-term solution at quarterback. Yet the team’s season arc — 2-8 through Week 11 — has been shaped more by late offensive breakdowns and inconsistent scoring than by a lack of defensive production. That context framed Sunday’s matchup with Baltimore, a divisional opponent led by a mobile and experienced quarterback in Lamar Jackson.
Main Event
The game unfolded with Cleveland’s defense setting the early tone. Garrett recorded three sacks in the first half, including a crucial third-and-goal takedown that pushed the Ravens to settle for a field goal on that drive. On a subsequent Baltimore possession Garrett’s 9-yard sack disrupted field positioning and preceded a pick-six by linebacker Devin Bush on the very next snap, swinging momentum briefly toward Cleveland.
Garrett’s persistent pressure reappeared early in the second half when he added a fourth sack on a third-and-3 play that opened the third quarter. That sequence illustrated Garrett’s ability to rush from different alignments — he even crossed to the left side on one play to exploit a mismatch — and underscored why he is a candidate for the league sack title. By game’s end Garrett had 4.0 sacks and 15.0 on the season.
On the other side of the defense, rookie Carson Schwesinger was active sideline-to-sideline, functioning as the Browns’ spy on Lamar Jackson and making several early tackles. His defining moment came with 4:28 left in the third quarter when a tipped low pass intended for tight end Charlie Kolar was intercepted by Schwesinger after a defensive lineman altered the throw. That interception marked Schwesinger’s second of the season and came while he was managing a high-ankle sprain.
Offensively, the Browns struggled to finish drives. Sanders’ first NFL snaps came in the second half and were the most watched portion of the evening, but the unit failed to convert that energy into an offensive touchdown. The final score, 23-16 in favor of Baltimore, reflected a close game decided by a combination of Baltimore’s occasional offensive gains and Cleveland’s inability to put points on the board.
Analysis & Implications
Myles Garrett’s four-sack night solidifies both his individual standing and the Browns’ reliance on elite pass rush to generate game-changing plays. A season total of 15.0 sacks through Week 11 puts Garrett near the top of the league and sustains his candidacy for a second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. If the Browns wish to remain competitive in games while the offense finds consistency, Garrett’s ability to alter drives will remain central to their game plan.
Carson Schwesinger’s rapid ascent from late-round pick to defensive leader has tangible consequences for Cleveland’s roster construction. Leading the team in tackles while calling plays demonstrates trust from coaches and positional versatility; his durability—competing through a high-ankle sprain—adds to his value. For NFL award voters, Schwesinger’s mixture of tackles, leadership, and turnovers strengthens his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year recognition, though team record and national profile often influence final voting.
Shedeur Sanders’ debut is significant for the franchise’s long-term quarterback evaluation, but one game of backup snaps does not materially change the Browns’ season trajectory. The immediate concern for Cleveland remains offensive scoring and red-zone execution. For front-office decision-makers, the game reinforces a common NFL truth: elite defensive play can keep a team competitive, but sustainable success typically requires quarterback-driven scoring.
Looking ahead, Garrett’s continued sack production and Schwesinger’s playmaking could increase trade-market interest or influence contract talks; at the least, they give Cleveland bargaining chips and optimism. However, individual honors and future contract outcomes depend on sustained performance and availability over the remainder of the season.
Comparison & Data
| Player | Game Sacks | Season Sacks (Wk 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Myles Garrett | 4.0 | 15.0 |
| Previous peak (vs. NE) | 5.0 (single game) | — |
The table highlights Garrett’s recent high-impact outputs: a five-sack franchise-record effort three weeks earlier and a four-sack game on Nov. 16. Those back-to-back elite performances explain Garrett’s climb in both the sack leaderboard and DPOY narratives. For Schwesinger, counting tackles and turnovers against league rookie peers places him among the top defensive-first candidates for rookie honors; however, formal league rankings for tackles and rookie defensive metrics will provide clearer comparative context as the season continues.
Reactions & Quotes
Team and league records captured the headline statistics and were emphasized by official stat providers and team releases.
Myles Garrett recorded 4.0 sacks in the Nov. 16 game and has 15.0 sacks on the season.
NFL Official Statistics
The Ravens game log and Browns’ box score credited Schwesinger with an interception late in the third quarter; team reports also noted his status as the defensive play-caller.
Carson Schwesinger’s interception on Nov. 16 was his second of the season; he also leads the team in tackles while playing through a high-ankle sprain.
Cleveland Browns Official Box Score / Team Release
Unconfirmed
- Whether Garrett will ultimately win the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award remains undecided and depends on his final-season totals and performances by other top defenders.
- The long-term role of Shedeur Sanders as Cleveland’s starting quarterback is not settled by a single debut; future starts and play-calling decisions will determine his standing.
Bottom Line
The Nov. 16 loss to Baltimore underlined a season-long split for Cleveland: a defense that continues to produce elite individual performances and an offense that has yet to consistently convert opportunities into touchdowns. Garrett’s 4.0-sack outing and Schwesinger’s interception are concrete positives that preserve Cleveland’s defensive identity even as the team sits at 2-8.
For fans and front-office evaluators, the takeaways are dual: protect and build around defensive assets like Garrett and Schwesinger, while prioritizing offensive upgrades and quarterback development. Sanders’ debut offers a glimpse of potential, but sustained offensive production will be necessary before the Browns can translate defensive excellence into more wins.