Shedeur Sanders Ignites Hope in Cleveland: Browns, Ravens, and Bengals Face Defining Moments in the AFC North

November 28, 2025

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CLEVELAND – The winds of change are swirling in the AFC North, and nowhere is that more evident than in Cleveland, where rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has captured the imagination of Browns fans and the attention of the NFL. After leading the Browns to a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12, Sanders is set for his second consecutive start this Sunday against the formidable San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has made it clear: Sanders will remain the starter, even with Dylan Gabriel cleared from concussion protocol.

A New Era in Cleveland

Sanders’ debut was historic. He became the first Browns quarterback in three decades to win his first start, a feat that has injected optimism into a franchise long starved for stability at the position. But as Sanders himself admits, there’s no room for complacency.

“It could be taken at any point in time. So I’m never comfortable in the situation I’m in. I always want to exceed expectations and I always want to grow,” Sanders said. “Each and every week, I want to put a better product of myself, be a better version of myself for the team to be out there.”

With six games remaining in the regular season, the spotlight is firmly on Sanders. Analysts agree: This isn’t about a “grace period.” Sanders must earn his place every week, but the flashes of brilliance against the Raiders—scrambling, picking up blitzes, and pushing the ball downfield—suggest he could be the answer Cleveland has been searching for.

The Test Ahead: 49ers Defense

The upcoming matchup against the 49ers will be a litmus test for Sanders. The Raiders may have provided a soft landing, but San Francisco’s defense, led by coordinator Robert Saleh, is a different beast. Sanders’ ability to handle pressure, make smart decisions, and avoid costly mistakes will be under scrutiny.

As Stephen A. Smith noted, “Going up against the 49ers and Robert Saleh’s defense… it’s going to be really interesting to see how [Sanders] responds because the 49ers are not the Raiders. They are a different animal defensively.”

Yet, the signs are promising. Sanders completed 55% of his passes in his debut, showed poise under pressure, and delivered explosive plays—more 30-yard-plus passes in one game than all Browns quarterbacks combined this season. His improvisational skills and ability to extend plays have already won over teammates like star pass rusher Myles Garrett.

Earning Trust, Building Momentum

For Sanders, the path forward is clear: continue earning the trust of the locker room and the coaching staff. Former starter Dylan Gabriel, despite his experience, never demonstrated the downfield dynamism Sanders brings. As the Browns look to the future, Sanders has a golden opportunity to prove he can be the franchise quarterback.

“Shadur Sanders should get more opportunities with the first teams, more opportunities to practice and more opportunities to show his ability to lead a football team this season,” said one analyst. “Kevin Stefanski behind the scenes should be going to talk to Shadur each and every day and say right now this is your team.”

The message from the panel is unanimous: Sanders should start every remaining game this season. The Browns must use this time to evaluate whether he’s the answer or if they need to invest draft capital in another quarterback. For now, Sanders is the man tasked with making the team his own.

Ravens vs. Bengals: A Thanksgiving Showdown

While Cleveland finds hope in Sanders, the rest of the AFC North faces its own crossroads. The Baltimore Ravens host the Cincinnati Bengals in a Thanksgiving night showdown with playoff implications.

For the Bengals, led by the returning Joe Burrow, it’s do-or-die. At 3-8, their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. “If you don’t win this game, I don’t see any path forward for the Cincinnati Bengals,” said Dwood. The Bengals must win to keep their slim postseason hopes alive; otherwise, tough decisions loom about Burrow’s health and the direction of the franchise.

For the Ravens, the stakes are different. Despite leading the division and riding a five-game win streak, questions linger about their offensive chemistry—especially with Lamar Jackson seemingly hesitant to use his legs, the hallmark of his game.

“It is a must-win for the Ravens,” argued one analyst. “At the beginning of the season, we all talked about how this was the best roster in football. But right now, they’re playing like that supermodel before she goes to hair and makeup. All the stuff that’s supposed to be there, all the things that’s supposed to make them beautiful, we aren’t seeing.”

The Ravens need to recapture their early-season form, particularly on offense. Their dominance has faded, and if Jackson can’t rediscover his magic, Baltimore could become a non-factor down the stretch. The specter of Joe Burrow and Jamar Chase looms large; the Bengals duo has tormented the Ravens defense in past matchups.

The Bigger Picture: Pressure, Potential, and Playoff Dreams

The AFC North is a division in flux. The Browns are betting on Sanders to spark a turnaround. The Bengals are fighting for survival. The Ravens, despite their record, are searching for their identity as contenders.

For Sanders, the next six games are an audition—not just for a starting job, but for the future of the franchise. He must continue to grow, elevate those around him, and avoid becoming another liability in an offense plagued by injuries and a struggling offensive line (ranked third-worst in the league by Pro Football Focus).

The analysts’ advice is simple: Sanders must avoid costly mistakes, make the occasional splash play, and prove he can be an asset, not a liability. If he does, he could cement himself as the Browns’ quarterback of the future.

As the season enters its final stretch, the AFC North promises drama, intrigue, and the emergence of new heroes. Whether it’s Sanders in Cleveland, Burrow in Cincinnati, or Jackson in Baltimore, the next few weeks will shape the destiny of these storied franchises—and perhaps the entire league.

Stay tuned for more coverage on the AFC North, Sanders’ journey, and the playoff race as the NFL season heats up.