Another week, another elite defensive performance wasted. The Cleveland Browns fell 23–16 to the Baltimore Ravens despite four sacks from Myles Garrett, another standout game from rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger, a pick-six by Devin Bush, and multiple critical stops from Jim Schwartz’s defense.
Before kickoff, the Browns honored franchise icon Bernie Kosar, who continues to fight through severe liver complications. Kosar — one of the most beloved figures in team history — is scheduled for a long-awaited liver transplant on Monday at 5 a.m. He received a long, emotional ovation that had the entire stadium leaning forward.
Unfortunately, the Browns’ offense did not rise with that energy.
Myles Garrett Records 4 Sacks, Carson Schwesinger Shines Again — Offensive Meltdown Sinks Cleveland 23–16
Another Elite Defensive Showing — Myles Garrett Makes NFL History (Again)
Myles Garrett delivered one of the most dominant defensive stretches the NFL has seen in years. He wrecked Baltimore’s offense from the first snap:
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5 solo tackles
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5 tackles for loss
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5 QB hits
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4 sacks (all within the first 35 minutes)
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15 sacks on the season
Garrett now needs 7.5 sacks to tie the NFL single-season record and 8 to break it, with seven games remaining.
Cleveland completely corralled Lamar Jackson:
Lamar Jackson’s Stats:
14/25 • 167 yards • 0 TD • 2 INT • 5 sacks (–26 yards)
QBR: 25.7 • Rating: 47.6
Baltimore was rattled all afternoon. Myles Garrett was the best player on the field by a country mile.
Carson Schwesinger: Another Top Rookie Defensive Performance
This was not a breakout — because he already broke out.
This was simply another high-level showing from a rising rookie defensive star.
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11 tackles
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2 tackles for loss
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1 interception (his second of the year)
His interception immediately erased a Shedeur Sanders turnover and again showed his elite instincts, balance, and closing speed.
Schwesinger is playing himself into a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidacy.
A Championship-Caliber Defense — and an Offense That Cannot Score
The Browns’ defense forced three turnovers, held Baltimore 1-for-4 in the red zone, and produced Cleveland’s only touchdown.
The offense? Again, the opposite.
Offensive Collapse: The Browns’ Fatal Flaw
Cleveland scored only nine points on offense — all field goals.
Quarterbacks:
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Dillon Gabriel: wildly inaccurate, behind receivers, and eventually ruled out for concussion evaluation
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Shedeur Sanders: entered cold, inconsistent, threw a costly interception, and failed on the final drive
Cleveland’s offensive output was brutal:
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2-for-14 on 3rd down
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81 passing yards
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3.5 yards per play
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11 first downs
This isn’t complementary football. It isn’t even functional football.
Ravens Escape Late — Trick Play Ends It
With the game tied 16–16, and Cleveland stuffing Baltimore on 3rd-and-1, the Ravens reached into the bag:
A tight end end-around to Mark Andrews for the game-winning touchdown.
A slow-developing trick play — but Cleveland was selling out inside, and Andrews bounced it outside untouched.
Sanders Close to having Superman moment but Browns Receiver Drops Sure TD in End Zone
Still, Cleveland had over two minutes to tie. Instead, the final drive went:
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Sanders scrambles for 5 yards
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Incomplete deep left to Bond
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Larvadain drops a TD
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Sanders rushed, incomplete to Njoku
Ballgame. Browns lose 23–16.
Baltimore Run Game Did Damage — But Defense Held in Key Spots
The Ravens rushed for 184 yards, including a strong performance by Derrick Henry.
But Cleveland’s defense — again — made situational stops to keep the Browns in the game.
It wasn’t enough because the offense never did anything to reward them.
Team Stats Tell the Story
3rd Down Efficiency: BAL 5–13 • CLE 2–14
Total Yards: BAL 351 • CLE 187
Passing Yards: BAL 167 • CLE 81
Rushing: BAL 184 • CLE 106
Turnovers: BAL 3 • CLE 1
Red Zone: BAL 1–4 • CLE 0–2
The Browns defense played well enough to win.
The offense left points everywhere.
Final Thoughts: A Championship Defense Is Being Wasted
The Browns have:
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An NFL MVP–level superstar in Myles Garrett
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A rising rookie force in Carson Schwesinger
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A terrorizing defensive line
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A respectable run game
What they don’t have:
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A consistent passing offense
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A reliable quarterback situation
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An offensive identity
In a season where the Browns could be climbing the AFC ladder, they are instead stuck in neutral — and sinking. Browns fans have one thing besides the number 1 draft pick to hope for – that Defense Star Myles Garrett breaks the Sack Record of 22.5!
The post Browns vs. Ravens II: Myles Garrett Records 4 Sacks, Carson Schwesinger Shines Again — but Another Offensive Meltdown Sinks Cleveland 23–16 appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.