Ravens’ playoff hopes hinge on Shedeur Sanders despite awkward history as Baltimore star goes public with plea

Dec 28, 2025 - 14:00

The Baltimore Ravens’ playoff hopes hinge on none other than Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns.

After the Ravens (8-8) defeated the Green Bay Packers and their backup quarterback Malik Willis 41-24 on Saturday night, Baltimore is still in contention for the AFC North title, but only if the Pittsburgh Steelers are defeated by the Browns on Sunday.

Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field — Derrick Henry’s heroics keep the Ravens’ playoff hopes alive

Baltimore’s hopes were kept alive despite Lamar Jackson — who has been linked with a sensational trade — being out with injury.

All-Pro running back Derrick Henry provided the heroics, and rushed for 217 yards and four touchdowns on a night where he surpassed Adrian Peterson for the fourth-most rushing touchdowns of all time.

The 31-year-old also cracked the top 10 all-time in career rushing yards, and made NFL history by recording his seventh career 200-yard game.

With the Ravens and the Steelers set to meet in Week 18, it could yet be a win-and-in situation for the two sides. Sanders, Myles Garrett & Co. will ultimately determine this.

Shedeur Sanders could help team he snubbed

But, it was only eight months ago when the Ravens called to enquire about drafting the former Colorado Buffaloes star.

It was reported back in September that the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders that the Ravens were planning to select the 23-year-old in the fifth round with the No. 141 pick.

However, the rookie quarterback allegedly vetoed the move as he didn’t want to play backup to Jackson – whose future with the team is up in the air – and wanted to be drafted to a team where he had an opportunity to compete for the starting job.

Initially tipped as a first-round talent, Sanders then dropped to the 144th overall pick before he was ultimately taken off the draft board by the Browns.

Since then, he has had to navigate working his way up from fourth on the Browns’ quarterback depth chart, eventually getting his debut – albeit one to forget – in Cleveland’s 23-16 loss to the Ravens in Week 11 after rookie Dillon Gabriel was ruled out the game with a concussion.

From then on, despite Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski making the telling admission that he had plans to redshirt Sanders’ rookie season, after becoming the first QB in franchise history to win on their first start, he has locked down the starting job.

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass over the defense of the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter of the game at Huntington Bank Field — The Ravens have to rely on Sanders to get the job done against the Steelers

Shedeur Sanders #12 and Tyler Huntley #7 of the Cleveland Browns high five before the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Huntington Bank Field — Huntley and Sanders were briefly teammates in Cleveland

Now, the onus is on him – albeit from the Ravens – to get his second career win to ensure that 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers — who praised Sanders — and the Steelers cannot lock up the AFC North title with one game left to play of the 2025 regular season.

Tyler Huntley sends plea to former teammate

After the Ravens’ victory, backup quarterback Tyler ‘Snoop’ Huntley, who got his second win of the season under center filling in for the injured Jackson made a desperate plea to Sanders.

“I’m really tryna make it out of here so I can call Shedeur real quick and make sure he can get it done,” Huntley said to reporters postgame. “I’ll be watching it, and getting some rest.”

Huntley, who is in his third stint with the Ravens, spent part of 2025 training camp with the Browns, but was released just three weeks after signing with the team after Cleveland opted to have Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Gabriel and Sanders battle it out for a spot on the final 53-man roster.

Whilst Huntley will be watching his former teammates closely, Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers has admitted he won’t be.

“I ain’t watching it. I’m just gonna look at Myles Garrett’s stats. I hope he has five of ‘em (sacks),” Flowers said.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley #5 warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field — Ravens QB Huntley admitted he will call Sanders to give him some words of encouragement

Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns rushes the offense of the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter of the game — Garrett is just one sack away from breaking the all-time single season sack record

Browns star defensive end Garrett needs just one more sack to break the all-time single-season sack record (22.5 sacks) shared by Michael Strahan (2001) and Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt (2021).

Flowers’ line of thought is that the more sacks Garrett can get, the better chance the Browns have of clinching a victory.

History is also on the side of the Browns, with the Steelers having a 1-5-1 record against Cleveland at Huntington Bank Field since 2018.

But history is made to be broken, however you look at it.

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