The long-awaited first career start of Cleveland Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders finally happened on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas. As the Browns took on the Las Vegas Raiders in week 12 of National Football League action. It was technically the second appearance for the former Colorado Buffaloes star. As he entered in relief of Dillon Gabriel after Gabriel was concussed against the Ravens last week. 

But let’s be honest, a lot is better left unsaid about Shedeur Sanders’ performance in that game against the Baltimore Ravens. However, this week was a completely different story, as he led the Cleveland Browns to a much-needed victory over the Las Vegas Raiders by a final score of 24-10. Sanders turned in an impressive showing on Sunday, throwing for over 200 yards and a clutch 66-yard touchdown to put the nail in the coffin. 

Breaking It Down

With the victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, Sanders became the first Cleveland Browns QB to win their first career start since the return of the team in the 90s. Previously, first-time Browns starters were 0-17, and rookies were 0-13. Now the 2025 fifth-round draft pick will look to lead Cleveland to a second consecutive victory for the first time since Weeks 16 and 17 of the 2023 season. 

Although there are still a couple of blemishes he will look to fix if he is the starter next week. As he will look to stop turning the football over after throwing his second interception of the season. As well as his 55% completion percentage, after going 11 of 20 in Sunday’s victory. But he can improve on those two metrics, the Browns might start to see a few more wins pile up down the stretch. 

Wrists Up For The Future?

I try not to get too ahead of myself, but if today’s performance was any indication of long-term production, then Cleveland may have found their next QB. Yes, he still has a very long way to go, but if this continues against tougher competition throughout the rest of the year, I and many others will be eating crow. But let’s not jump to conclusions and get our hopes up quite yet, because things get much tougher for the Browns in the coming weeks. 

Cleveland will head into next week at 3-8, which is still among the worst in the National Football League. Awaiting them in Week 13 will be the San Francisco 49ers, who bring a much more stout defense. Following the 49ers visit, the Tennessee Titans come to town, which provides Shedeur and company another opportunity to grab a victory this season. 

The final four games of the year feature a trip to the Windy City to play the Chicago Bears, a home game against the Buffalo Bills, and two AFC North games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals. So there will be plenty of tough games left for Sanders to show he can be the leader of this offense and the future of this franchise.