Dawgs By Nature
The curtain will finally fall on The Cleveland Browns and the Lost Season of 2025 on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
It was 17 long weeks ago that these two teams opened the season full of hope that this was the year they might be able to present a challenge to the traditional AFC North powers in Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
But while the Steelers and Ravens will clash on Sunday night to determine who will represent the division in a one-and-done playoff appearance, the Browns and Bengals will play out the final 60 minutes of the campaign with an eye on next season.
On Thursday, Cleveland’s coordinators held their weekly meeting with the media, and here are the key takeaways from what they had to say about the upcoming game against the Bengals.
Defensive end Myles Garrett is one sack away from setting an NFL record. That drive began from the first day of training camp, according to Schwartz:
“(Myles) has really been on a mission – when he signed that contract and committed to coming back, he’s really been on a mission. You guys don’t see practice the way we do. But you saw training camp, and was that the best training camp you’ve seen from Myles Garrett? I mean, it’s the best training camp I’ve seen. So, I think that has something to do with the success that he’s had.
“He’s been very driven, he’s been trying to carry the load, he’s not afraid of the spotlight – he’s been out in that. He’s been a good leader for us, he’s played the run well. I know I bang that drum probably too many times, but I’m just really proud of the way that he plays the run and he’s been a wrecker on offense – and just hope we can finish strong and set him up to have success in this game also.”
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger is one of the favorites for Defensive Rookie of the Year, but it is the plays that do not show up in the box score that stand out to Schwartz:
“(Carson) prepares the same; he goes out and plays effectively. And I think some of the plays that I think he’s played the best are plays that you guys might not notice, because he’ll take something away in the passing game, or he’ll play, like, perfectly in the run game, and somebody else will make the play. And he’s been a good leader for us – he’s increased that as the season’s gone on, and I look forward to seeing him even take greater strides as a player. Really, a cement block for our defense, and I think defensive rookie of the year.”
The Browns and Bengals played in Week 1, and even though they are division rivals that meet twice a season, so much changes during the season that there is not much to...
