Shedeur Sanders grades: Browns QB solid in win vs. Raiders

Shedeur Sanders grades: Browns QB solid in win vs. RaidersStory byJacob Camenker, USA TODAYMon, November 24, 2025 at 1:25 PM UTC·2 min read

Shedeur Sanders made his first NFL start in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders. It gave the fifth-round rookie a good opportunity to bounce back from a lackluster Week 11 debut.

Sanders' debut came amid non-ideal circumstances. He relieved Dillon Gabriel against the Baltimore Ravens after the Oregon product suffered a concussion. Sanders had never taken a first-team rep, by Browns coach Kevin Stefanski's own admission, and one could tell as the Colorado product completed just 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards with an interception.

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Sanders was quickly named Cleveland's starter with Gabriel remaining in the NFL's concussion protocol. That allowed him to have a full week of preparation to take on a Raiders defense that was shredded by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11.

How did Sanders do in his starting debut? USA TODAY Sports is grading Sanders' performance from Cleveland's win against the Raiders.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders arrives before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns greets teammates prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns takes on the field prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.Head coach Kevin Stefanski talks to Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after getting sacked by Malcolm Koonce #51 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) runs against Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) tackles Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.Shedeur Sanders #12 and Quinshon Judkins #10 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate after a touchdown in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.1 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.1 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.2 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders arrives before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.3 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.4 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns greets teammates prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.5 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns takes on the field prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.6 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.7 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Head coach Kevin Stefanski talks to Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.8 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.9 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after getting sacked by Malcolm Koonce #51 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.10 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) runs against Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.11 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) tackles Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev. on Nov. 23, 2025.12 / 12

See Shedeur Sanders make first NFL career start for Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders #12 and Quinshon Judkins #10 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate after a touchdown in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Grading Shedeur Sanders' first Browns start

Sanders enjoyed a solid first start with the Browns. He wasn't asked to do a ton while leading the Browns to a 24-10 victory, but he flashed his playmaking skills while showing poise throughout the win.

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Sanders showed much better pocket presence in his first start than he did against the Ravens. He looked comfortable stepping up in the pocket and maneuvering within it to create throwing lanes. The Colorado product also avoided fading back in the pocket, which prevented him from taking major losses on his sacks, which was a bugaboo of his in his first NFL action and in college.

Sanders also showed an ability to throw on the run, particularly when moving to his right. His best throw of the day – a 53-yard strike to Isaiah Bond that set up the team's second touchdown of the day – came as Sanders escaped right from pressure and managed to feather a perfect touch pass to Bond before the Raiders could get to him.

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