When Shedeur Sanders dropped back to pass on his first NFL snap, the weight of a legacy, a franchise, and a stadium’s silence hung in the air. The Cleveland Browns hadn’t won in three weeks. Their quarterbacks hadn’t won a debut in 17 tries. And now, the 21-year-old son of Deion Sanders was tasked with turning it all around — against the Las Vegas Raiders, in their own house, on a chilly November night. He did it. Not perfectly. Not dramatically. But decisively. The Browns beat the Raiders 24-10 at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025, snapping a three-game skid and ending a decade-long losing streak in the series. And for the first time since 2014, Cleveland walked out of Las Vegas with a win.
Breaking the Curse of the Rookie QB
Cleveland’s quarterback carousel has spun faster than most fans can count. Since the franchise’s 1999 rebirth, they’ve started 41 different men under center. None had won in his first start. Until Sanders. His 209-yard, one-touchdown performance wasn’t eye-popping by NFL standards — but it was clean, calm, and clutch. His 52-yard bomb to Isaiah Bond in the first quarter? The first 50+ yard pass by a Browns QB since last season. Myles Garrett, watching from the sideline, didn’t cheer. He just stared. Then smiled. That’s how you know it was real.And when Sanders found Dylan Sampson on a screen pass in the fourth quarter? Sampson turned it into a 66-yard touchdown. The crowd — once loud, now quiet — didn’t boo anymore. They just watched. And wondered.
Defensive Dominance and Offensive Collapse
The real story wasn’t just Sanders. It was the Cleveland Browns defense. Myles Garrett had three sacks. The team had 10 total. They forced two turnovers on downs, one fumble, and held the Raiders to three points through three quarters. Geno Smith, the Raiders’ veteran QB, threw for 285 yards — but nearly half came in garbage time. The rest? Punt after punt. Eight of them. Two drives ended on downs. One ended with a fumble. The home crowd at Allegiant Stadium had been chanting for Maxx Crosby to make a play. He had five tackles for loss. It wasn’t enough.Meanwhile, Quinshon Judkins, the rookie running back, bulldozed for 13 yards on back-to-back carries to seal one of Cleveland’s touchdowns. He wasn’t the star. But he was the glue. And the Browns’ offense? It was a symphony of youth. Four rookies played key roles. No veteran wide receiver had more than 40 yards. It was a new era — and it worked.
A Franchise at a Crossroads
The last time the Browns beat the Raiders? October 26, 2014. At Cleveland Browns Stadium. That was before the stadium was renamed. Before Deion Sanders became a national phenomenon. Before Shedeur Sanders even played high school football. Eleven years. Five straight losses. And now? A turning point.It’s easy to say this win was about Sanders. But it was also about the defense refusing to quit. About a coaching staff trusting rookies. About a franchise that’s spent years rebuilding — not with hype, but with patience. The Browns are still 3-8. They’re not in playoff contention. But for the first time in months, there’s a pulse.
What Went Wrong for Las Vegas?
The Raiders? They’re 2-9. Nine losses in their last ten games. Ashton Jeanty ran for 108 yards — a bright spot in a dark night. But his effort was lost in the noise. The offensive line gave up pressure on 62% of dropbacks, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Their third-down conversion rate? 2-for-14. They couldn’t sustain a drive. Couldn’t protect Smith. Couldn’t silence the crowd. And when they needed a spark? Nothing.Coach Antonio Pierce’s postgame comments were short. "We didn’t execute. We didn’t finish. That’s on us." No excuses. No blame. Just truth. And for a team that’s lost its way, that might be the hardest part.
What’s Next?
The Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers next week. The Raiders travel to Los Angeles to face the Chargers. But the real story won’t be the scoreboard. It’ll be the questions: Can Sanders sustain this? Will the Browns’ defense keep playing at this level? And for the Raiders — can they find any consistency before the season ends?One thing’s clear: The NFL’s future is here. And his name is Shedeur Sanders.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is Shedeur Sanders’ debut win for the Browns franchise?
Sanders’ win ended a 17-game losing streak for Cleveland quarterbacks making their first NFL start — the longest such streak in modern NFL history. It’s the first time since 2014 the Browns have beaten the Raiders, breaking an 11-year drought. His performance, while not flawless, signaled a potential turning point for a franchise that’s struggled to find stability at quarterback since 2018.
Why did the Raiders’ offense struggle so badly despite Geno Smith’s yardage?
Smith’s 285 yards came largely on late drives when the Browns were playing prevent defense. The Raiders punted eight times, turned the ball over on downs twice, and lost a fumble. Their third-down conversion rate was just 14%, and offensive line penalties disrupted rhythm. The Browns’ front seven, led by Myles Garrett, consistently collapsed the pocket, forcing Smith into rushed throws.
What role did rookie running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson play in the win?
Judkins provided crucial short-yardage power, converting two 13-yard runs to seal a touchdown drive. Sampson turned a simple screen pass into a 66-yard touchdown — the longest play of the game. Together, they accounted for 125 total yards and two touchdowns, showing the Browns’ offense doesn’t rely on one star — it’s built on depth, especially among rookies.
Is this win a sign the Browns are turning a corner?
It’s too early to call them contenders — they’re still 3-8. But this win showed resilience, a strong defense, and a rookie QB who didn’t crack under pressure. After three straight losses and 17 straight QB debuts without a win, this performance suggests the team’s rebuild is gaining traction, especially with young talent stepping up when it mattered most.
How does this game compare to previous Browns-Raiders matchups?
The Browns’ last win over the Raiders was a 23-13 victory in Cleveland on October 26, 2014. Since then, they’ve lost five straight, including two in Las Vegas. This 24-10 win is notable not just for the score, but for the context: a rookie QB leading a young team to victory against a struggling but historically tough opponent, ending a decade-long drought in a hostile environment.
What’s the impact of Myles Garrett’s performance on the game’s outcome?
Garrett’s three sacks and relentless pressure disrupted Geno Smith’s timing and forced three key third-down stops. His presence allowed the Browns to play more aggressive coverage, knowing the pass rush would get home. With 10 total sacks, the defense set a season high — and Garrett’s leadership was the catalyst. He didn’t just make plays; he dictated the game’s tempo.
