Shedeur Sanders makes Browns history by beating Raiders in first career start
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Shedeur Sanders is officially 1-0 in his NFL starting career.
The Cleveland Browns dominated the Las Vegas Raiders, 24-10, in Sanders’ first career start on Sunday.
All eyes were on Sanders, the fifth-round pick who had been waiting in the wings behind fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, as he got his chance to establish himself as a starter for the remaining games on the Browns’ schedule.
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Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns looks to pass the ball in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
Sanders finished the game going 11 of 20 for 209 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception thrown. And he became the first Browns rookie quarterback to earn his first start since 1995.
Sanders’ first career touchdown pass came thanks to the efforts of running back Dylan Sampson, who made a 66-yard screen to the house in the fourth quarter to open the game with a 24-3 lead.
SHEDEUR SANDERS DELIVERS BOLD MESSAGE BEFORE FIRST START WITH BROWNS
The Browns also relied on rookie running back Quinshon Judkins to set the tone on the field, and he did just that in the first quarter.
Judkins had two touchdowns in the quarter, and the second was set up by a 52-yard pass from Sanders to Isaiah Bond, which almost was his first touchdown pass if not for Darnay Holmes tripping him just before the goal line.
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Unfortunately for Judkins, he suffered an injury in the third quarter that forced him to sit out the rest of the way. But Sampson performed his duties beautifully, and his catch and touchdown run was the epitome of an all-around team performance.
Meanwhile, the Browns defense was relentless on this struggling Raiders offensive line, and quarterback Geno Smith was the recipient of the injury. Cleveland totaled 10 sacks, including NFL sack leader Myles Garrett, making three on the day.
Maliek Collins had 2.5 sacks, while Devin Bush, Cameron Thomas and Isaiah McGuire each had one.
Sanders was also heavily pressured by the Raiders defense, but was sacked only once during the game.
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
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It wasn’t anything incredible, but Sanders went out on the road and got the job done, showing flashes of what coaches would love to see on film Monday.
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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for News Digital.