Myles Garrett endorses Shedeur Sanders as QB1 after impressive debut against Raiders
The Cleveland Browns have not officially named Shedeur Sanders the starter after he led the team to a 24-10 victory in Week 12. But the rookie passer has the support of superstar defender Myles Garrett after his strong starting debut.
Sanders finished with 209 yards, a touchdown and an interception against the Raiders, but his highlight came early. In the first quarter, he rolled out to escape pressure and uncorked a 52-yard strike to Isaiah Bond down the sideline. The play drew a stunned reaction from Myles Garrett, whose look of disbelief was caught on the broadcast.
“I was just like ‘wow,'” Garrett said of the play. “There’s not many guys in the league that can make that throw. That was a hell of a throw. I hope he can continue to grow and develop from making plays like that and take it from there.”
Browns Avoid Naming Shedeur Sanders Starting QB
The Browns have said that Dillon Gabriel will regain the starting job once he’s cleared from concussion protocol. He exited at halftime of the team’s Week 11 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens and wasn’t cleared to play this week. However, Gabriel didn’t provide the spark the offense needed before the injury. Cleveland went just 1-5 in his starts, and he struggled to deliver the kind of dynamic plays that could jump-start the unit.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski declined to address who would be the starter moving forward after Sunday’s win.
“I’m not going to get into that,” Stefanski said. “Obviously proud of him and proud of this offense. But I’m just going to worry about today,” Stefanski said. “I’m always going to take my time and do what’s best for the football team.”
Sanders’ first start was far from flawless, but the offense clearly had a different pulse with the former Colorado star running the show. And he’s certainly not speaking like a quarterback preparing to hand the job back next week.
“The fact that I got an opportunity and I was able to show the organization, show everybody who I really am, then now it’s truly exciting,” Sanders said. “I was off balance for a little bit, but I’m thankful to be back where I am.”
Browns DE Myles Garrett Makes History Against Raiders
Lost in the Shedeur-mania was the Garrett continuing his tear as he eyes the NFL single-season sack record. Garrett racked up three more sacks against the Raiders, bringing his total this season to 18. The single-season NFL sack record is jointly held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt, who both recorded 22.5 sacks in their respective seasons in 2001 and 2021.
Garrett has racked up 14 sacks over the Browns’ last five games — the most by any player in NFL history during that span. His takedowns of the Raiders also pushed him past his own single-season franchise record of 16 sacks.
“That’s a hell of a month, hell of a last four games. I don’t even think about it. I’m just thinking about the next one,” Garrett said. “I can’t tell you how much I’m really proud of this team, how we responded.”
The Browns will look to string together wins for the first time this season next week as they host the San Francisco 49ers.
49ers Identify Surprise X Factor for Week 12 Showdown as Injuries Shake Up Defense.
The San Francisco 49ers enter their Week 12 matchup against the Carolina Panthers knowing that the margin for error has narrowed. Injuries have stretched the roster, the playoff race is tightening and Monday night at Levi’s Stadium will demand a complete performance. In a week filled with adjustments and lineup shuffling, one defensive player has emerged as the most important X factor.
San Francisco’s linebacker room has been hit harder than any unit on the roster. Fred Warner is sidelined. Tatum Bethune is unavailable. Their absence places enormous responsibility on second year linebacker Dee Winters, whose role has transformed from rotational defender into the core of the 49ers’ defensive structure. Coaches have praised his speed and instincts, and this week they need both at full capacity.
Carolina arrives with a clear offensive identity. Rico Dowdle has powered a resurgent run game, giving the Panthers their most reliable source of production. When Carolina controls the ground attack, they set tempo and rhythm. If that happens on Monday night, San Francisco risks being worn down in long, grinding drives. That is why Winters becomes the focal point. His job is to close interior running lanes, force second and third level help and funnel traffic toward San Francisco’s downhill pursuit.
The matchup leans heavily on discipline and tackling. The 49ers trust Winters to diagnose plays quickly, attack gaps with precision and limit explosive runs that could shift control. Coaches believe his growth this season has prepared him for this moment. His communication has sharpened. His reads have become faster. His presence in the middle of the field gives the defense enough stability to avoid major structural changes.
San Francisco’s offense may still headline the team, but this week the defensive tone begins with Winters. When he plays fast and physical, the rest of the unit settles around him. If he sets that early edge, the 49ers can dictate terms and push Carolina away from their comfort zone. If not, the Panthers have the tools to turn this into a draining, possession heavy contest.
The 49ers understand that winning in November means adapting through adversity. Dee Winters is now at the center of that challenge. His performance could determine whether San Francisco protects its home field or allows Carolina to seize momentum that has eluded them most of the season.
