Browns Collapse Sparks QB Debate: Unc & Ocho Push for Shedeur Sanders After 41–17 Rout by Ravens

Ravens dominate, Browns unravel
The Cleveland Browns’ season hit an early crisis point after a 41–17 drubbing at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, a loss that not only underscored their defensive shortcomings but also reignited long-standing doubts about the quarterback position. Baltimore linebacker Kyle Van Noy revealed that the Ravens defense held a private dinner meeting earlier in the week to regroup after a disappointing fourth-quarter collapse in their previous game. That focus translated into a dominant performance on Sunday, limiting the Browns’ run game and forcing Cleveland into an uphill battle from the start.

By halftime, the Ravens had built a commanding 10–3 lead, and though Cleveland’s defense briefly held its ground, the “dam broke,” as star pass rusher Myles Garrett admitted. “I mean, this is embarrassing. We got to be better on defense. We got to be better as a team,” Garrett said postgame. “We did a solid job holding them to three when we could, but then eventually they did whatever they wanted.”

Flacco struggles, Stefanski defends his QB
The Browns turned to veteran Joe Flacco to stabilize the offense, but the 39-year-old quarterback’s limitations were evident. Flacco finished with modest numbers against a Baltimore defense that swarmed him relentlessly. “Flacco is a statue. He can’t move. He never could,” one commentator on the Nightcap show bluntly observed.

Despite the poor showing, head coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed any notion of a quarterback change for Week 3. “I’m not considering a QB change,” Stefanski said, even as fans and analysts grow restless. The defense, highlighted by linebacker Roquan Smith’s 15 tackles and a fumble return touchdown, dominated every phase of the game, leaving little margin for error from Cleveland’s offense.

Unc and Ocho call for Shedeur Sanders
Former NFL stars Shannon Sharpe (“Unc”) and Chad Johnson (“Ocho”) used their Nightcap platform to demand a bold solution: give rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders the reins. Sanders, who entered the league with high expectations after a stellar college career under his father, Deion Sanders, has yet to take a meaningful snap.

“This is your fate unless you get a quarterback,” Sharpe warned, addressing the Browns organization and, indirectly, Garrett. “You can enjoy that $160 million contract, but without a quarterback, this is what your future looks like.”

Ocho echoed the sentiment, arguing that even in Week 2, the Browns needed to begin planning for the future. “You don’t have a chance without fixing the quarterback position,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t matter how good your defense is—not in today’s game. Those days are gone.”

The Ravens’ near-miss with Sanders
The debate was fueled further by a revelation from ESPN’s Adam Schefter: the Ravens had seriously considered drafting Sanders in the fifth round with the 141st pick. According to Schefter, Sanders informed Baltimore he did not want to join a roster with Lamar Jackson ahead of him, fearing it would limit his path to playing time. Baltimore pivoted and selected offensive lineman Carson Vincent instead.

Asked about the report, Sanders downplayed the story. “I’m focused on the now,” he told reporters. “I don’t really talk about anything in the past. Whatever happened in the past, it is what it is. I’m here, I go to practice every day, and it’s about moving forward.”

But Sharpe quickly reminded viewers that even star players rarely dictate draft decisions. “As a player, you don’t have that kind of power,” he said, though he acknowledged that Ravens leadership has occasionally made exceptions, referencing Terrell Owens’ refusal to join the team two decades ago.

The Browns’ fan dilemma
For long-suffering Cleveland fans, the conversation is painfully familiar. Despite their loyalty—often showing up to games with paper bags over their heads—the franchise has failed to find long-term stability at quarterback. “The Browns got some loyal fans,” Sharpe noted. “They love their team, but they ain’t got no quarterback. And until they figure that out, they’re not going to have any type of success.”

The 2020s were supposed to mark a turning point, with Deshaun Watson signed to a record-setting contract. But injuries, including a torn Achilles and lingering shoulder issues, have kept him sidelined, and there is no guarantee he will return this season. That uncertainty leaves Cleveland trapped between a struggling veteran in Flacco and a rookie whose future role remains undefined.

A decision looming
The suggestion to start Sanders now may sound extreme—particularly with only two weeks of the season gone—but history suggests the Browns can’t afford to wait. “It’s week two,” Sharpe admitted. “You can’t wave the towel until maybe week five or six. But if it’s not working by then, it’s time.”

Fans, meanwhile, are left with a bitter reality: the NFL is unforgiving, and without a consistent quarterback, flashes of brilliance won’t translate into playoff contention. Even Garrett’s elite pass rushing or a stout run defense won’t mask the cracks.

Looking ahead
For the Browns, the coming weeks could determine the direction of their entire season. If Flacco can stabilize the offense against division rivals, Stefanski may buy time. But if losses pile up, pressure will mount to accelerate Sanders’ development.

Meanwhile, the Ravens appear re-energized after their regrouping session. Lamar Jackson looked sharp, completing 19 of 29 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns, spreading the ball effectively to Zay Flowers, DeAndre Hopkins, and others. Baltimore, now 13–2 following a loss since 2022, continues to prove its resilience.

The bigger picture
The debate surrounding Sanders represents more than a quarterback controversy; it is a microcosm of the modern NFL. Teams no longer have the luxury of waiting years for a young quarterback to develop while veterans hold down the position. With fan expectations high and playoff windows short, franchises are forced into tough choices sooner rather than later.

As Johnson summed it up: “Until you figure out your quarterback position, you’re not going to have any success. You might get a game, maybe two, but you can’t build on that. Consistency comes from the quarterback.”

For the Browns, that consistency remains elusive. Whether they ride out Flacco, gamble on a Watson return, or turn to Sanders, the stakes could not be higher. And for the fans who continue to pack the stands, the demand is simple: find a quarterback, or risk another lost season.