It wasn’t just a win. It was a release. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the Cleveland Browns crushed the Las Vegas Raiders 24-10, snapping a five-game losing streak against their AFC West rivals — and more importantly, ending a 17-game losing streak by Browns quarterbacks making their first NFL start. The man who did it? Shedeur Sanders, the 21-year-old rookie son of Deion Sanders, who stepped in after fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel entered concussion protocol. Sanders threw for 209 yards and one touchdown, calmly leading the offense despite the weight of history on his shoulders.
First Quarter Fireworks, Then Silence
The game began with a shock. The Browns scored 14 points in the first quarter — a blistering start that left the home crowd stunned. Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson caught a short pass from Sanders and turned it into a 42-yard gain, setting up a touchdown run by Nick Chubb. A forced fumble by Myles Garrett led to another score. But then? Nothing. For the next 38 minutes, the Browns’ offense went cold. No points in the second or third quarters. Meanwhile, the Raiders managed just a 38-yard field goal by Daniel Carlson in the second quarter. The crowd, once roaring, grew quiet. Some started leaving.
Defense Did the Heavy Lifting
But here’s the thing: the Browns didn’t need offense to win. They needed chaos. And they delivered. The defense recorded a staggering 10 sacks — the most by Cleveland in a single game since 2018. Myles Garrett had three of them, including a devastating strip-sack on Geno Smith that set up a field goal just before halftime. Adin Huntington, another defensive end, left the game in the third quarter with a groin injury, but the pressure didn’t stop. The Raiders punted eight times. Turned the ball over on downs twice. Lost a fumble. Their offense, led by Smith’s 285 yards and one late touchdown, looked like a team playing for pride — not wins. The final score? 24-10. The vibe? A team finally breaking free.
A 17-Year Curse Broken
Since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, they’ve started 41 different quarterbacks. Twenty of them made their debut in losses. The last one to win? Charlie Frye, way back in 2008. That’s 17 straight starts without a win. Sanders didn’t just break the streak — he did it in the hostile environment of Allegiant Stadium, with a crowd that had been chanting "We Want Joe!" for years. "I didn’t feel pressure," Sanders said postgame. "I just felt like I had to go out there and play for my teammates. That’s it." The moment was emotional. Teammates mobbed him on the sideline. Coach Kevin Stefanski hugged him so hard, Sanders nearly lost his helmet.
Injuries and Fallout
The game wasn’t without cost. Michael Mayer, the Raiders’ tight end, left in the second quarter with an ankle injury. Ashton Jeanty, their dynamic rookie running back, exited late after absorbing a brutal hit to the midsection. For Cleveland, Adin Huntington’s groin injury is a concern — he’s been a key rotational piece. But the bigger story? The Raiders. They’re now 2-9. Five straight losses. Nine in their last ten. The Las Vegas Raiders sit dead last in the AFC West, behind the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, and even the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Browns — at 3-8 — are still mathematically alive in the AFC North, though they trail the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, both at 6-5.
What’s Next?
The Browns head home to FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland to face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, November 30, 2025. A win there would give Sanders his second consecutive start victory — something no Browns QB has done since 2008. The Raiders? They travel to SoFi Stadium to face the Los Angeles Chargers, who are surging at 7-4. If Las Vegas loses again, they’ll be eliminated from playoff contention — officially. And for the first time in years, Cleveland fans might actually believe something bigger is coming.
Why This Matters Beyond the Record Book
This wasn’t just about ending a streak. It was about identity. The Browns have spent 26 years searching for a quarterback who could be more than a placeholder. Sanders isn’t the finished product. He threw two interceptions. He missed open receivers. But he didn’t flinch. He moved the chains. He trusted his line. He let his defense do what it does best: terrorize quarterbacks. And when the game was on the line in the fourth quarter, it was Sanders who found Sampson for a 66-yard touchdown — the kind of play that turns rookies into franchise cornerstones. The Raiders? They’re stuck in a cycle of poor drafting, inconsistent coaching, and fan disillusionment. The Browns? They’ve got something rare: momentum, and a young quarterback who might just be the spark they’ve waited decades for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Shedeur Sanders perform compared to other rookie QBs in Browns history?
Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to win his NFL debut since Charlie Frye in 2008, ending a 17-game losing streak for Cleveland starters making their first appearance. His 209 passing yards were the most by a Browns rookie QB in a debut since Brandon Weeden in 2012, and his touchdown-to-interception ratio (1:2) was better than most of his predecessors in similar situations.
Why was Myles Garrett’s performance so critical to the win?
Garrett’s three sacks and pressure on Geno Smith disrupted the Raiders’ entire offensive rhythm. With five total sacks in the first half alone, Cleveland forced Las Vegas into third-and-long situations, leading to eight punts. His strip-sack in the second quarter directly led to a field goal, and his relentless edge pressure kept Smith from ever finding a rhythm — even when the Browns’ offense stalled.
What does this win mean for the Browns’ playoff chances?
Technically, Cleveland is still mathematically alive at 3-8, but they’re 3.5 games behind the Steelers and Ravens. The real value? Momentum. Winning two straight games — especially after a five-game losing streak — builds confidence. If Sanders continues to develop and the defense stays dominant, they could finish 6-11 or better, which would be their best record since 2020.
How bad is the Raiders’ situation after this loss?
At 2-9, the Raiders are officially out of playoff contention. They’ve lost five straight, and their offense has scored fewer than 17 points in seven of their last eight games. With key injuries to Mayer and Jeanty, and Maxx Crosby’s five tackles for loss being one of the few bright spots, the team faces major questions about leadership, coaching, and future draft picks — especially with the 2026 NFL Draft looming.
Is Shedeur Sanders the long-term solution at quarterback for Cleveland?
It’s too early to declare him the answer, but his poise under pressure, quick decision-making, and ability to extend plays suggest he’s the most promising option since Baker Mayfield. With Dillon Gabriel sidelined and the Browns’ offensive line showing improvement, Sanders has earned at least the next four starts. If he can reduce turnovers and improve red-zone efficiency, he could be the franchise QB they’ve sought since 2008.
What was the significance of the 10 sacks by the Browns’ defense?
Ten sacks are the most by the Browns in a single game since 2018, when they also had 10 against the Steelers. It’s the most by any NFL team this season. The Raiders’ offensive line, already one of the league’s weakest, was completely overwhelmed. The 10 sacks forced three turnovers and limited Geno Smith to just 6.1 yards per attempt — a far cry from his usual efficiency. It was a defensive masterpiece.
