A slow start proved costly for the Browns, giving them ground to make up early into their Week 15 game against the Bears.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski highlighted the Browns' 14-point first quarter deficit as a key factor in their 31-3 loss. Stefanski said that the Browns couldn't afford to put themselves in an early hole on the road against aspiring playoff teams like Chicago.
"That ballgame is disappointing to start that way," Stefanski said. "We have to own that and watch the tape and look at it and learn from it and find a way to correct some of those things that happened early in the game so you can be in that game and give yourself a chance to win that game."
Here are the main pieces of news and other updates heading into Week 16.
Kevin Stefanski provides injury updates
The Browns had a list of key players inactive for the game against the Bears including starters like T Jack Conklin, G Wyatt Teller, TE David Njoku and CB Denzel Ward. Stefanski said he will have a fuller understanding of the progress of each player on Wednesday.
Conklin missed Weeks 14 and 15 while in the concussion protocol after sustaining a concussion in the second quarter of Week 13. Teller did not play in Week 14 or Week 15 while dealing with a calf injury. Njoku suffered a knee injury after a touchdown catch in Week 14, while Ward sustained a calf injury in the fourth quarter of Week 14.
G Teven Jenkins is considered day-to-day after sustaining a shoulder injury in the third quarter against the Bears.
The offensive line has dealt with multiple injuries in addition to Conklin and Teller. G Zak Zinter also missed the Bears game with a back injury. C Ethan Pocic tore his Achilles in Week 14 and T Dawand Jones was ruled out for the season after requiring surgery on a knee injury he suffered in Week 3.
For Week 16 against the Bills, Stefanski said he trusts the players the Browns put on the field, whether in veteran players like G Joel Bitonio or a young player like C Luke Wypler.
"Just the guys who are available come Sunday, we go to battle with them, and we work really hard during the week to make sure we have contingency plans and guys are ready to go, backups stay ready," Stefanski said.
Shedeur Sanders continues developing
Each game has presented unique challenges for QB Shedeur Sanders through first four regular season starts of his NFL career. The Bears forced Sanders to make accurate throws and avoid pressure in order to keep possession. Chicago recorded three interceptions and sacked Sanders five times.
Sanders had defenders in his face trying to bring him down, including on a deep pass to WR Isaiah Bond. Sanders managed to still make the throw and allowed Bond to run under the ball and gain 49 yards on the play. According to Stefanski, Sanders is going to face challenges every week in his NFL career.
"Sometimes there are moments that aren't going to go your way, and you learn from those," Stefanski said. "So that's no different for any position, no different for Shedeur versus any other player. There's going to be really good games. There are going to be games you want back. There's going to be plays you want back, great plays. So, I look at it for a young player to be able to go into a really tough spot, have some really good moments, some moments that you want back. We'll learn from those, we'll grow from those, and we'll be better from those."
Browse action photos from the Browns' 2025 Week 15 game against the Chicago Bears, featuring top plays and moments.
Cornerback Sam Webb (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Long snapper Rex Sunahara (50) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) and Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
The offense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) and Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Offensive tackle Cam Robinson (68) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) and Offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger (52) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94), Defensive end Myles Garrett (95), and Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) and Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears on December 14, 2025 at Soldier Field.
Browns work to plug lanes against the run and on special teams
Cleveland's defense allowed consecutive 100-plus yard run games for the second time this season after allowing 184 rushing yards on the ground against the Titans in Week 14 and 142 rushing yards against the Bears in Week 15.
The last time the Browns allowed consecutive 100-plus rushing yard games this season was in Week 10 against the Jets and Week 11 against the Ravens. On the season, the Browns allow 110.1 rushing yards per game – the 14th-fewest rushing yards in the NFL. Cleveland has allowed 131.3 rushing yards per game since Week 10. The Browns gave up just 94.3 rushing yards per game in the eight games before Week 10, playing tight defense against the run.
"Stopping the run is just really about physicality, coming and setting the edges and tackling," LB Mohamoud Diabate said. "I think over the year as a whole, we've done a good job of doing that. We just have to get back to that recipe."
Cleveland also has been searching for ways to limit the kick and punt return yards it has allowed. The Browns have allowed three special teams touchdowns this season and gave a blocked punt in Week 14 against the Titans. On Chicago's opening kickoff return in Week 15, Bears WR Devin Duvernay returned the kick 52 yards to the Browns' side of the field.
Diabate said that the solution to fixing the special teams mistakes and preventing the explosive returns from the opposition stems from taking individual ownership of their mistakes.
"We have to do a better job as a unit of getting off of blocks and finishing the ball carrier when we're down, when we're around the ball carrier," Diabate said. "It's not too complicated of a play. Shed the block and get the guy on the ground."
