The Shedeur Sanders everyone talked about finally showed up on Sunday night — and he didn’t disappoint. At Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the 23-year-old quarterback made his first NFL start and delivered a performance that silenced doubters, leading the Cleveland Browns to a 24-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on November 23, 2025. But the real story? What happened after the final whistle.
First Quarter Fireworks
It didn’t take long for Sanders to announce his arrival. At 9:42 in the first quarter, he dropped back, scanned the defense, and fired a 27-yard laser to Jerry Jeudy for his first NFL touchdown. The crowd, mostly Raiders fans hoping for a turnaround, fell silent. Then came Nick Chubb — 12 yards up the middle, no hesitation, another touchdown. By the end of the quarter, the Browns led 14-0. No one saw it coming. Not with Cleveland entering the game 2-8. Not with Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, starting only because Deshaun Watson was still sidelined with a knee issue. The defense did the rest. Myles Garrett, 29, was a one-man wrecking crew. He sacked Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell three times — part of a brutal 10-sack day that turned O’Connell’s night into a nightmare. The Raiders managed just 187 total yards. Three straight three-and-outs in the first half. No touchdowns. Just frustration.Chip Kelly’s Final Play
The Raiders’ offense? A train wreck. And the man at the wheel? Chip Kelly, 61. The former Oregon and NFL head coach, who’d just come off a national championship with Ohio State Buckeyes in 2024, was supposed to fix what was broken in Vegas. Instead, his offense managed 10 points — their third straight game under 16. The numbers were ugly: 19 of 32 passing, one interception, zero touchdowns, and 10 sacks allowed. Less than two hours after the final gun, the Las Vegas Raiders made their move. At 6:45 PM UTC, Tom Telesco, 52, the team’s general manager, issued a terse statement: “After careful evaluation of our offensive performance this season, we have made the decision to move in a different direction.” It was over. Kelly, who’d been hired in January after a two-year college hiatus, was gone. No farewell press conference. No emotional goodbye. Just a press release. The Raiders didn’t even wait until Monday morning. They acted while the stadium lights were still on.
Who’s Next? And What Now?
The Raiders didn’t name an interim coordinator right away, but sources confirmed Frank Smith, 41, a longtime NFL assistant with ties to both Kelly and head coach Pete Carroll, would take over play-calling for Week 13 against the New England Patriots on December 1. Carroll, 73, who’s now in his first season with Vegas after a legendary run in Seattle, has been publicly supportive of Kelly — but even he couldn’t defend the offense’s collapse. For the Browns, it was more than a win. It was validation. Sanders completed 18 of 27 passes for 217 yards, zero picks. He didn’t look like a rookie. He looked like someone who belonged. And with Myles Garrett’s 12.5 sacks now ranking third in the AFC, Cleveland’s defense is starting to look like the team’s identity — not just its last hope.What This Means for the AFC
The win improved Cleveland to 3-8, still last in the AFC North — but now tied with Cincinnati. Baltimore and Pittsburgh sit at 6-5. The Raiders? They’re 2-9, dead last in the AFC West. Denver (9-2), LA (7-4), and Kansas City (6-5) are all pulling away. Vegas isn’t just losing — they’re unraveling. The timing of Kelly’s firing speaks volumes. Teams don’t fire coordinators mid-week unless they believe they’ve hit rock bottom. And for a franchise that’s had more coaching changes than wins since 2020, this might be the lowest point yet.
What’s Next for Sanders?
Shedeur Sanders didn’t just win his first start. He gave Cleveland fans something they haven’t had in years: hope. Not the kind based on draft picks or future potential. Real, tangible hope. He played with poise under pressure. He didn’t panic when the Raiders brought blitzes. He made smart decisions. He didn’t force throws. If he keeps this up — even just for the next four games — the Browns might not be rebuilding. They might be redefining.Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Chip Kelly fired so quickly after the game?
The Raiders’ offense had scored 16 or fewer points in three straight games, and this 10-point output was the worst of the streak. With only five games left in the season and no playoff path, management decided to cut ties immediately rather than risk further damage to team morale and future draft positioning. The move signals a full reset under head coach Pete Carroll.
How does Shedeur Sanders’ performance compare to other rookie QBs?
Sanders’ 217 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INTs in his debut start are among the best for a rookie quarterback making his first start since Justin Herbert in 2020. He avoided turnovers under heavy pressure — something many rookies struggle with. His poise and timing suggest he’s more advanced than typical first-year QBs, especially given the offensive line’s struggles.
What impact does Myles Garrett’s 12.5 sacks have on the AFC?
Garrett’s 12.5 sacks place him third in the AFC behind Jonathon Cooper (14.0) and T.J. Watt (13.0). He’s now a top-5 defensive player in the league this season. His dominance has turned the Browns’ defense into a legitimate threat, even as the offense remains inconsistent. Opponents now have to game-plan around him — and that opens opportunities for the rest of the unit.
Who is Frank Smith, and why was he chosen as interim coordinator?
Frank Smith, 41, has been an NFL assistant since 2008, with stops in Miami, Atlanta, and Tennessee. He worked under Chip Kelly in Philadelphia and has strong ties to Pete Carroll from their Seattle days. He’s known for simplifying playbooks and improving quarterback decision-making — exactly what the Raiders need now. He’ll call plays for the Week 13 game against New England.
Can the Browns still make the playoffs?
Mathematically, yes — but it’s a long shot. They’d need to win all five remaining games and get help from other teams. More realistically, this win gives them momentum and a reason to keep building around Sanders. If he continues to improve, Cleveland could be a playoff contender as early as 2026.
What does this mean for Pete Carroll’s future in Las Vegas?
Carroll’s job isn’t in immediate danger — he’s a respected veteran with a long track record. But if the Raiders finish 3-14 or worse, and the offense remains stagnant, pressure will mount. His reputation could take a hit if this team becomes the worst in franchise history. The firing of Kelly may be his first major move — and it could define his tenure.
