The Cleveland Browns pulled off a gritty, defensive masterclass to beat the Las Vegas Raiders 24-10 on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. It wasn’t pretty — no flashy fourth-quarter rallies, no last-second heroics. But it was real. And for a team that had lost seven of its last eight games, it was everything.
A First Start That Changed Everything
Shedeur Sanders, the 21-year-old rookie out of Colorado, made his first NFL start under center for Cleveland — and he didn’t flinch. The Browns, sitting at 3-8 entering the game, had nothing to lose and everything to prove. Sanders didn’t need to carry the offense. He just needed to not mess it up. He didn’t just avoid mistakes — he made plays when it mattered. His 9-of-14 completion rate, 112 yards, and two critical first downs on third down kept drives alive. But the real story wasn’t him — it was what he inspired.
"Hey, Shedeur, congratulations on your first damn double. Your first start," one YouTube commentator yelled after the final whistle. The moment wasn’t just emotional for fans — it was symbolic. After years of quarterback instability, Cleveland finally had someone who looked like he belonged. And for the first time in months, the sideline didn’t look like a funeral procession.
Defense Didn’t Just Win — It Announced Itself
The Browns’ defense didn’t just hold the Raiders to 10 points — it made them look incompetent. Ten sacks. Ten. That’s not a stat line. That’s a statement. And the man behind the most terrifying of them all? Miles Garrett. The All-Pro edge rusher was unblockable. On one third-quarter play, he blew past left tackle Tre’Von Moehrig like he was standing still, sacked Raiders QB Aidan Smith, and sent the ball flying. The crowd went silent. The announcer didn’t even call it — he just whispered, "You cannot block Miles Garrett, bro. Browns."
Garrett’s pressure forced three turnovers, including a pick-six that never happened because the ball was fumbled on the sack. But it didn’t matter. The Raiders’ offense — already struggling with rhythm — completely collapsed. They had 12 total first downs. Three came on penalties. The rest? Pure desperation.
"There was nothing open. The passing lanes were shut," said one sideline analyst on YouTube. "Smith was looking left, right, middle — no one was open. And when he tried to force it? Garrett was there."
Rookie Magic and the 66-Yard Bolt
And then came the play that turned the game from a defensive grind into something unforgettable.
Early in the fourth quarter, with the Browns up 14-10 and the Raiders clinging to hope, rookie running back Samson took a handoff on a zone read. He cut left, slipped a tackle, then turned on the jets. The defense was caught flat-footed. He ran past two linebackers. Then a safety. Then he was alone. Sixty-six yards. A touchdown. The YouTube highlights captioned it: "ONE ROOKIE TO ANOTHER." Samson, a second-round pick from Texas A&M, had just turned the game on its head.
"That’s not a run. That’s a statement," said CBS Sports HQ analyst Mark Williams post-game. "Samson didn’t just break tackles — he broke the spirit of a defense that thought it had this game locked."
The Raiders’ Collapse Wasn’t Just Bad — It Was Systemic
For the Raiders, this was more than a loss. It was confirmation of a deeper rot. At 2-10, they’re officially out of playoff contention — and worse, they’re out of direction. Aidan Smith, their starting quarterback, completed just 16 of 31 passes for 158 yards. Two interceptions. Three sacks in the first half alone. He looked rattled, confused, and — most dangerously — disconnected from his receivers.
"Smith to Bowers again, Bowers holds on," one commentator noted. But the next play? Smith overthrew a wide-open receiver by ten yards. The next? A throw into triple coverage. The Raiders’ offensive line gave up 10 sacks. Ten. That’s not bad luck. That’s bad coaching. Bad talent evaluation. Bad everything.
Even their lone touchdown — a 7-yard run by tight end Darnell Bowers with 4:12 left — felt like a consolation prize. The extra point was good. The crowd clapped politely. But nobody believed anymore.
What This Win Means for Cleveland
The Browns are still 4-8. They’re not going to the playoffs. But something changed Sunday.
For the first time since 2023, Cleveland didn’t look like a team playing for the draft pick. They looked like a team playing for each other. Sanders didn’t have to be Patrick Mahomes. He just had to be steady. And he was. Gino Smith, the veteran backup who threw for 285 yards and a 93 rating earlier in the season, didn’t start — but his presence in the huddle gave Sanders confidence.
"This isn’t about the record," said head coach Kevin Stefanski after the game. "It’s about identity. We’re a defense-first team. We’re a team that grinds. And if we’ve got a rookie QB who’s not afraid to stand in the pocket? That’s a start."
What’s Next?
The Browns head home to FirstEnergy Stadium for a Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers — a team they’ve beaten in three of their last four meetings. Sanders is expected to start again. If he plays like he did in Las Vegas, Cleveland might actually win two games in a row for the first time since 2022.
For the Raiders? It’s a long winter ahead. General manager Dave Ziegler has a decision to make: rebuild around Smith? Draft a new QB in April? Or pull the plug on the entire rebuild and start fresh? The answers won’t come quickly. But the signs are all there.
Background: A Franchise in Freefall
The Raiders’ decline has been steady since their 2021 playoff run. Since then, they’ve had five different starting quarterbacks. Three head coaches. Two GMs. And now, a 2-10 record with three games left. Their offense ranks 31st in the league. Their defense? 28th. They’re the only team in the NFL with fewer than three wins this season.
Meanwhile, the Browns — once considered AFC contenders after their 2020 AFC Championship run — have been stuck in mediocrity since Deshaun Watson’s suspension. This win, however, feels different. It’s not a fluke. It’s a blueprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Shedeur Sanders perform in his first NFL start?
Shedeur Sanders completed 9 of 14 passes for 112 yards with no interceptions and two key third-down conversions. He didn’t throw for touchdowns, but he managed the game with poise, avoided sacks, and kept drives alive. His decision-making impressed coaches, and his leadership on the sideline helped stabilize a young offense. This wasn’t a star-making performance — it was a franchise-changing one.
Why were the Raiders’ 10 sacks such a big deal?
Ten sacks in a single game is rare — only six teams in NFL history have reached double-digit sacks in a game since 2015. For the Browns, it was their first 10-sack game since 2017. It exposed the Raiders’ offensive line as one of the league’s worst, and highlighted Miles Garrett’s dominance. No other team in the NFL has more than 7 sacks in a single game this season.
Who were the key players for the Browns besides Sanders?
Miles Garrett led the defensive charge with 3.5 sacks and forced two fumbles. Rookie running back Samson’s 66-yard TD run was the game’s turning point. Gino Smith, though not starting, provided critical leadership in the huddle and had previously thrown for 285 yards in Week 10. Linebacker Judkins added a crucial goal-line touchdown, and safety Tyson Kelly intercepted a tipped pass in the red zone.
What does this win mean for Cleveland’s future?
It gives the Browns a foundation. With Sanders showing he can handle pressure, Garrett proving he’s still elite, and Samson emerging as a dynamic playmaker, Cleveland now has three young building blocks. The defense is playing with purpose. The offense has a spark. Even with a 4-8 record, the team’s morale has improved dramatically — something that matters more than wins right now.
How did the Raiders’ offense fail so badly?
The Raiders’ offensive line was shredded, giving up 10 sacks and allowing constant pressure. Aidan Smith, under duress, made poor decisions — three turnovers and five missed throws on clean pockets. Their top receiver, Keenan Allen, was held to just 3 catches. Without a consistent running game or reliable protection, their offense was reduced to guesswork. It’s not just bad luck — it’s a system failure.
Is this win a sign the Browns are turning a corner?
It’s too early to say they’re back — but it’s the clearest sign they’re trying. They didn’t win because of luck. They won because they executed on defense, trusted their rookie QB, and let their playmakers make plays. If they can win two of their last three games — especially against Pittsburgh and Cincinnati — this could be the spark that redefines their rebuild.
