The Cleveland Browns closed out their regular season with a thrilling Week 18 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, winning 20–18 on a game-winning field goal as time expired.
The matchup marked the first head-to-head meeting between Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow and Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders, who started the final seven games for Cleveland after replacing fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel in Week 11.
Sanders was under constant pressure against Cincinnati and was sacked six times. In the second quarter, he drew a roughing-the-passer penalty after Bengals pass rusher Cedric Johnson delivered a hit that was ruled excessive following a seven-yard check down to running back Raheim Sanders.
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The NFL releases its weekly fines every Saturday at 4 p.m. EST, and Johnson was one of 21 players fined this week. While fines are scaled based on contract value, Johnson was assessed a $5,525 fine for a “blow to the head/neck,” a penalty that has remained one of the league’s most controversial this season.
It was the first fine of Johnson’s NFL career. The league can increase fines for repeat offenses, but Johnson avoided a steeper penalty, as a first offense can carry a fine of up to $17,389.
Sanders finished the game completing 11 of 22 passes for 111 yards, while adding three rushing attempts for 26 yards and losing one fumble.
His rookie season was far from perfect, but he showed flashes of promise, especially considering the situation he was thrust into. Sanders was not placed in an ideal environment, as the Browns continue to rebuild their offensive identity and are now searching for a new head coach ahead of the 2026 season.
The former Colorado standout made seven starts, along with a brief appearance against the Ravens, and wrapped up his rookie campaign completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
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