Las Vegas, NV— Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made the most of his first NFL start, throwing for 209 yards and a touchdown while Cleveland’s relentless pass rush terrorized the Raiders in a 24–10 win Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. The victory snapped a three-game slide for the Browns (3–8) and handed Las Vegas its fifth straight defeat.
Cleveland turned to Sanders with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel sidelined by a concussion, making Sanders the club’s 42nd starting quarterback since the franchise returned in 1999. His debut ended a 17-game Browns losing streak in contests started by first-time QBs.
Garrett and the Defense Dominate
Though Sanders showed poise, the afternoon belonged to Cleveland’s defensive line. Myles Garrett delivered one of the most dominant performances of his career, piling up three of the Browns’ 10 sacks, adding two forced fumbles, four tackles for loss and six quarterback hits.
Garrett’s three sacks pushed him to 18 on the season, breaking his own team record with six games still remaining. He is now within striking distance of the NFL single-season sack mark of 22.5 shared by Michael Strahan (2001) and T.J. Watt (2021). His 14 sacks over the past five games are the most by any player in a five-game stretch since the league began officially tracking sacks in 1982.
The Raiders (2–9) offered little resistance. Las Vegas has surrendered 20 sacks over the last three weeks and was booed repeatedly by a frustrated home crowd.
Early Punch From the Ground Game
Cleveland built an early cushion thanks to running back Quinshon Judkins, who powered in two first-quarter touchdowns on wildcat direct snaps. The Browns controlled field position throughout as Las Vegas punted eight times, turned the ball over on downs twice, and lost a fumble.
Geno Smith threw for 285 yards and a touchdown for the Raiders, though much of that production came late against a soft prevent defense. Maxx Crosby led Las Vegas with a career-best five tackles for loss.
Sanders Delivers Sparks — and a Statement
Sanders flashed his playmaking ability midway through the first quarter when he escaped a blitz and launched a 52-yard strike to Isaiah Bond, setting up a short goal-to-go situation and ending Cleveland’s 15-game drought without a 50-yard pass play. Garrett, watching from the sideline, reacted with disbelief.
Before kickoff, Sanders told CBS, “I’m who they’ve been looking for.” He reinforced the message late in the fourth, when a short checkdown to Dylan Sampson turned into a 66-yard touchdown that put the game away.
His father, Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, greeted him with a long hug before the game.
Injuries
Browns: DE Adin Huntington left in the third quarter with a groin injury.
Raiders: TE Michael Mayer (ankle) exited in the second quarter. RB Ashton Jeanty left late after absorbing a hard hit to the midsection.
Series Note & What’s Next
The win snapped Cleveland’s five-game losing streak against the Raiders, marking its first victory in the matchup since 2014.
Next games:
Browns: Host the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday.
Raiders: Travel to face the Los Angeles Chargers.
