Takeaways from the Browns’ thrilling season-ending victory over the Bengals
In a season defined by inconsistency and what-ifs, the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals offered one final, chaotic chapter at Paycor Stadium on Sunday. The Browns’ 20-18 victory, secured as time expired, wasn’t just a game of inches; it was a microcosm of two franchises heading into the offseason with vastly different questions.
While neither team is playoff-bound—Cleveland finishes 5-12 and Cincinnati 6-11 Sunday’s finale provided clarity on several fronts, from the emergence of a rookie quarterback to the cementing of a defensive legacy.
Here are the major takeaways from the Week 18 matchup.
Myles Garrett stands alone in history
For years, the debate surrounding the NFL’s premier defensive player has centered on statistics versus impact. On Sunday, Myles Garrett decided to own both.
Garrett entered the game on the brink of history, needing a strong performance to eclipse the single-season sack record held jointly by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt (22.5). He didn’t just break the record; he did it against the quarterback he has hunted more than any other.
With 5:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, Garrett bypassed Bengals tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and brought down Joe Burrow for his 23rd sack of the season. The moment was electric, transcending the context of a game between two eliminated teams. Garrett was lifted onto the shoulders of his teammates, a visual representation of how he has carried this defense throughout a difficult year.
This record is not merely a number. It validates Garrett’s relentless motor in a season where the offense often put the defense in compromising positions. By securing his 12th career sack against Burrow, Garrett proved that even in a five-win season, individual greatness can still shine. He leaves Cincinnati not just as the Browns’ best player, but as the new statistical standard for pass rushers in NFL history.
Shedeur Sanders shows poise under pressure
The rookie season for Shedeur Sanders has been a trial by fire, but Sunday offered a glimpse of the poise Cleveland hopes to build around. While his stat line 17 of 23 for 186 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptionswasn’t perfect, his composure in the final minute was undeniable.
Trailing 18-17 with 1:29 remaining and no timeouts to spare, Sanders orchestrated a 40-yard drive that looked like the work of a veteran. His connection with Jerry Jeudy for an 11-yard gain on a critical play, followed by finding Isaiah Bond for 13 yards on third down, set the stage for the game-winning kick.
This drive matters. In a season where Sanders has taken his share of sacks—including back-to-back double-digit losses in the second quarter of this game—he didn’t fold when the game was on the line. The Browns have significant offensive line issues to address, evidenced by the constant pressure Sanders faced, but the rookie proved he has the mental makeup to deliver in crunch time.
Burrow and Chase remain lethal, but questions linger
For the Bengals, the connection between Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase remains the franchise’s heartbeat, but it wasn’t enough to mask the team’s deficiencies.
The duo nearly stole the game. Their fourth-quarter chemistry was on full display, culminating in a four-yard touchdown pass that gave Cincinnati the lead with under 90 seconds to play. Chase also hauled in a 21-yard reception just plays prior to set up the score. When they are in sync, they are nearly unstoppable.
However, the inability to protect the lead highlights the broader issues facing Cincinnati. The Bengals’ defense, which entered the game ranked near the bottom of the league in points allowed, couldn’t get the critical stop against a rookie quarterback. Furthermore, the offense’s struggle to consistently run the ball continues to put too much pressure on Burrow to play hero ball.
Burrow finishes a frustrating 6-11 campaign healthy, which is a victory in itself, but the Bengals head into the offseason knowing that relying solely on their superstar quarterback-receiver tandem isn’t a sustainable formula for winning the AFC North.
The Defense carries the load for Cleveland
If Sunday was a blueprint for how the Browns want to win, the defense remains the foundation. Before the offense found its rhythm late, the defense was the primary scoring unit.
First, it was Devin Bush intercepting a tipped pass and returning it 97 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Then, in the second quarter, Sam Webb scooped up a Noah Fant fumble forced by Jerome Baker and returned it 47 yards for another score.
Two defensive touchdowns in one half is a rarity, and it kept Cleveland in the game when the offense was stalling. This unit, led by Garrett, has playmakers at every level. If the Browns can stabilize their offense and get healthy in the secondary—cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell both left with injuries—the defense remains a championship-caliber unit waiting for the rest of the team to catch up.
Andre Szmyt’s redemption arc
Sports often provide poetic symmetry, and kicker Andre Szmyt found his on Sunday.
In Week 1, Szmyt missed two kicks against the Bengals that cost Cleveland a win. It was a brutal start to the season that could have shattered a young kicker’s confidence. Fast forward to Week 18, and the game rested on his foot again.
With the clock hitting zero, Szmyt drilled a 49-yard field goal to secure the 20-18 victory. It was a moment of personal redemption and professional growth. In a league where kickers are often the difference between winning and losing, seeing Szmyt deliver in a high-pressure situation is a positive note for the Browns’ special teams unit heading into 2026.
Looking ahead
Both teams now face critical offseasons. For Cleveland, the focus will be on building an offensive line that can protect Sanders and deciding on the future of head coach Kevin Stefanski. For Cincinnati, the priority must be upgrading a defense that allowed too many points and finding a consistent running game to complement Burrow.
Sunday at Paycor Stadium didn’t have playoff implications, but it had meaning. It was a game of records broken, rookies maturing, and a rivalry that, despite the records, remains as hard-fought as ever.
