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Myles Harden and Carson Schwesinger stack strong performances | News & Notes

Browns continue to emphasize limiting penalties

Week10NewsandNotes

Following a 23-22 overtime loss to the Saints in Week 9, where they missed on a game-winning 2-point conversion attempt, the Browns sit at 5-4. They are in third place in the AFC North after dropping consecutive games for the first time this season. Head coach Todd Monken remains impressed with the Browns' effort, though, as they head into Week 10. 

"I think we've got a really resilient group. Guys that like to play, like to play with each other and for each other. So that makes it easy for them to come back to work. Like I told them, this was not easy to play six of your first nine games on the road. That's only happened two other times in the NFL. Do I think it will harden us? I do," Monken said. "We're right there in the mix. I do believe our best football is ahead of us, and I wanted our guys to know that." 

Here are the main pieces of news and notes heading into Week 10.

Myles Harden and Carson Schwesinger stack strong performances

On the defensive side of the ball, CB Myles Harden and LB Carson Schwesinger led the way for the Browns in Week 9. Schwesinger recorded career-highs in a game with 15 tackles and two sacks while also adding a forced fumble and two tackles for loss. He finished with a 90.8 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus, which marked a game high. The performance marked Schwesinger's fifth time recording double digit tackles this season and is his third game with a forced fumble. 

On Schwesinger's first sack, he swarmed Saints QB Tyler Shough on third-and-8 on Cleveland's 10-yard line to force a field goal attempt. His forced fumble also came in the red zone, where he jarred the ball free as WR Jordyn Tyson dove near the goal line in the second quarter. 

"His ability to get around the football, chase the football, his instincts to punch the ball out (and) to make game changing plays is who he is," Monken said. "So, it's been fun not only to watch but see him continue to develop." 

Harden posted another key performance for the Browns' defense on the road against New Orleans. He recorded the first two sacks of his career, with both coming in the second half, while adding two tackles for loss. Harden recorded the first interception of his career against the Buccaneers in Week 2 and tallied his first tackle for loss of the season against the Titans in Week 7. 

"First of all, (he's) another one that loves to play football and always has a smile on his face," Monken said. "You can tell the players love him as a guy they want to be around. Knows he brings it every day, competes, great disposition."

Shedeur Sanders showcases development in performance against Saints

Heading into Week 9, QB Shedeur Sanders took reps with the first team throughout the week of practices while QB Deshaun Watson was in concussion protocol. Sanders was then named the starter for Week 9 on Friday heading into the game.

Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns. Monken explained how Sanders has continued to evolve as a quarterback throughout the season in his role as their backup, culminating with his play against the Saints. 

"He likes the game, Monken said. "He's a confident player. He's confident in his ability. He's gotten better at communicating what he sees, what he likes. Communicating with the players. The message that he carries to the other players, that when you start sounding like a coach, that's a starting point as a quarterback. Are you carrying the message and we're all on the same page? And he does. He's come a long way in that regard. And you talk about operation, what a great job he did during the game. I'm really happy for him."

Monken was also impressed with Sanders' ability to operate the offense effectively and contribute to timely plays. Despite not consistently working with the Browns' starters since the preseason, Sanders impressed Monken with his play. 

"I thought he showed composure in the pocket, getting to his check downs at times, Monken said. "He made plays with his feet and escaping. He made the scramble play to Jerry (Jeudy). He made a couple other…he made a big third down conversion early, and he made one right there in four-minute, right for the holding call that gave us a first down."

Browns continue to emphasize limiting penalties

In the first quarter against the Saints, the Browns were called for six penalties that cost them 33 yards. After finishing the game with 10 penalties, the Browns have been called for a league-leading 97 this season. Heading into Week 10, limiting those self-inflicted mistakes continues to be a point of emphasis for Cleveland. 

"A lot of it is undisciplined, and it starts with me as the head coach," Monken said. "And it's not one phase. It's offense, it's defense, it's special teams. We had three of them on special teams. And a number of it is our top guys, so it's not like it's, 'Oh this is an outlier.' But collectively, as a team, it's not good enough and it falls directly on me. We're going to fight like hell to get it fixed because it's not sustainable."

LG Zion Johnson noted that the Browns' offensive line is working on mitigating the pre-snap penalties specifically. He also explained how the Browns' upcoming home stretch will make communication easier, which can help prevent some of those mistakes. 

"It's a big focus for us right now; we're really attacking it in practice," Johnson said. "When you're playing on the road, there's definitely an added level of difficulty with the communication and the pre-snap, getting the call in and cadence. We're just working each week to improve on those things. We're going to have some games at home which will definitely be better for us. We might be able to go verbal, those sorts of things that can help us. But each day we're just striving to get better whether we're on the road or at home in those regards. And it just has to continue to be a focus and something we press on."

Browse action photos from the Browns' 2026 Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints, featuring top plays and moments.

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