For the first time since 1995, a Browns quarterback has won his first career NFL start. Shedeur Sanders threw his first career touchdown pass -- a 66-yard catch and run by running back Dylan Sampson -- and the Cleveland defense sacked Geno Smith 10 times in a 24-10 win.
Sanders finished 11-for-20 for 209 yards with one touchdown. Most importantly, he generally avoided big mistakes, throwing one interception and taking just one sack. He snaps a streak of 17 straight Browns quarterbacks who had lost their first career start, the longest streak in NFL history (quarterback starting data goes back to 1950).
Sanders had the benefit of playing opposite an absolutely dominant defense. Myles Garrett had three sacks, continuing his rampage through the league. Garrett's 18 sacks this season are not only the most in the league, but they're also a Browns single-season record; he had the previous record of 16 sacks (done twice).
The 10 sacks are the Browns' most in a game since 1984.
The Browns got off to a strong start, with Quinshon Judkins scoring a pair of short rushing touchdowns out of wildcat formations.
From there, the Browns' defense feasted. Outside of Garrett's three sacks, Maliek Collins had 2.5, and with the Raiders unable to establish anything through the air or on the ground, South took a pounding all day.
The Browns (3-8) host the 49ers in Week 13. The Raiders (2-9) visit the Chargers.
Sanders solid in win
The numbers certainly weren't spectacular, but Sanders did a decent job keeping the Browns somewhat on track, even with the running game managing a paltry 64 yards on 27 carries (2.4 average). Sanders not taking sacks was a key, and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who recently took over playcalling duties from coach Kevin Stefanski, did a nice job getting his young quarterback out of the pocket.
The touchdown, of course, is the most memorable highlight, but Sanders made a pair of nice throws on the move: an awesome 52-yard connection with Isaiah Bond to set up Judkins' second touchdown of the day as well as a 39-yard toss to Jerry Jeudy (who ended up fumbling).
Overall, it was a middling debut for Sanders. The interception was a poor decision in a moment he was clearly fooled, and he had some bad misses. For the most part, the game plan was very conservative, and that was appropriate given the flow of the game. Give Sanders credit for his play, certainly, and for ending the infamous losing streak of Browns quarterbacks losing their first start. But in general, it was just a fine performance.
We're running out of superlatives to describe Myles Garrett. Take a look for yourself.
The single-season sack record is 22.5. Garrett isn't on pace to beat it; he's on pace to obliterate it. He has 13 sacks in his last four games, most in any four-game span ... ever. What a player.
Ten sacks speak for themselves. Ashton Jeanty ended up finding the end zone late, but for the most part, he was trapped behind run blocking that wasn't much better than the pass blocking Smith was afforded. Jeanty finishing with 108 yards from scrimmage and a score was one of very few bright spots, though his 17 carries for 50 yards was not pretty.
Smith has been awful this season. He's been inaccurate downfield and indecisive in the pocket. His ball security has been extremely poor. He doesn't really have the weapons on the outside or the offensive linemen to have a viable offense given his level of play, either; Brock Bowers is the only starting-caliber pass catcher.
In a perfect encapsulation of the season, the Raiders were down 14-3 in the third quarter and in position to cut the deficit to a single possession. But on third-and-3, Tre Tucker dropped a pass that would have resulted in a first down. On fourth-and-3, Smith missed Tucker on an end-zone target. Smith was apoplectic. Pete Carroll simply tossed his headset off. Just that kind of year. There's a long, long way to go for this franchise.
The streak is over! For the first time since 1995, a Browns starter has won his first career start. Shedeur Sanders threw for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the win, and Cleveland sacked Geno Smith 10 times.
With three sacks today, Myles Garrett has 18 sacks this season, passing his own franchise record of 16 from 2022 and 2021. Absolute superstar.
It's looking like it'll be too little, too late, but the Raiders finally found the end zone thanks to a short Smith-to-Jeanty connection.
Sanders got the ball out of his hands quickly, and Dylan Sampson did the rest.
The Browns are now up 17-3 after an Andre Szmyt 53-yard field goal.
The drive had real promise, but a holding bogged things down, and instead of getting aggressive with his rookie quarterback, Kevin Stefanski played it pretty safe. Sanders did try one downfield shot, but nobody was home.
Sanders is 3 for 7 in the second half, but Cleveland's defensive dominance is allowing him to not have to do much.
The Raiders once again drove into Browns territory. Then on third-and-3, Tre Tucker dropped what would have been a first-down pass from Geno Smith. On fourth-and-3, Smith missed an open Tucker in the end zone. Pete Carroll just tossed his headset off to the side. This offense is awful.
33 yards from Smith to old friend Tyler Lockett -- by far the Raiders' longest play of the day.
The Browns are up to seven sacks, and the Raiders are just completely outmatched. The inside of the offensive line has been overwhelmed by Cleveland's blitz looks, and the run game is nonexistent -- 17 carries for 38 yards, just over 2 yards per attempt.
It's not like the Browns are much better, but a big completion and a big punt return are basically the entire difference.
Sanders floated a nice pass to an open Jeudy, but credit Jeremy Chinn for hawking down Jeudy, who had awful ball security and ended up coughing it up.
The Raiders are finally on the board thanks to a 41-yard Daniel Carlson field goal. Even then, though, it was a rough possession. After the defense intercepted Sanders, Las Vegas failed to even pick up a first down. The Browns have already sacked Geno Smith five times, and here are the Raiders' drive results so far:
Edge defender Charles Snowden drops back into coverage and picks off Sanders, who also threw a pick last week. Pretty clearly fooled on that one.
Now that's what the Browns were looking for! Outstanding throw from Shedeur Sanders on the move, and Quinshon Judkins plunges in again out of the wildcat formation.
Sanders' 52-yard pass is the Browns' longest pass play this season.
The Browns lead 7-0, but give most of the credit for that touchdown "drive" to a long Gage Larvadain punt return.
Shedeur Sanders is 2 for 3 for 8 yards with a sack. Geno Smith is 3 for 5 for 1 yard with two sacks. Yes, it's been that ugly.
All eyes are on Shedeur Sanders, but the Browns opened the scoring with him on the bench: Cleveland went with the wildcat formation, and Quinshon Judkins powered in.
Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland offense start with the ball
