The Cleveland Browns didn’t just win a game on Sunday—they exorcised five years of frustration. Beating the Las Vegas Raiders 24-10 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, the Browns ended a five-game losing streak against their AFC West rivals—their last win came all the way back on October 26, 2014, in Cleveland. But this wasn’t just about history. It was about the future, embodied by 21-year-old quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who delivered his first NFL start with poise, grit, and a game-sealing 66-yard touchdown run by Dylan Sampson. And then there was Myles Garrett, who turned the Raiders’ offensive line into a demolition derby, racking up three sacks as part of a monstrous 10-sack defensive onslaught.
A Defense That Broke the Raiders’ Spirit
From the opening snap, the Browns’ defense looked like a team with something to prove. The Raiders, already reeling from a nine-game skid in their last ten, looked rattled. Geno Smith, their veteran QB, completed 24 of 39 passes for 285 yards and one touchdown—but those numbers are misleading. Eight punts. Two failed fourth-down conversions. One fumble. The crowd at Allegiant Stadium, once a roaring fortress, turned into a sea of groans and empty seats by the fourth quarter. Fans weren’t just disappointed—they were embarrassed.
Even when Smith found Isaiah Bond for a 52-yard bomb late in the first quarter—a rare deep completion that drew an incredulous look from Garrett on the sideline—it felt like a last gasp. The Browns’ secondary, led by nickelback Greg Newsome II, stayed glued to receivers all day. And when Smith tried to force throws into tight windows, he was met by a wall of brown jerseys.
Myles Garrett didn’t just pressure Smith—he terrorized him. His third sack, a spin move around left tackle Alex Leatherwood, came with 5:12 left in the fourth, effectively killing any hope of a Raiders comeback. That play was the 10th sack of the day, the most by any team since the 2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers dropped 11 on the Carolina Panthers. Adin Huntington, Cleveland’s defensive end, left the game in the third quarter with a groin injury, but his absence didn’t dim the pressure. The Browns’ defensive line rotated with surgical precision, and the linebackers filled gaps like a well-oiled machine.
Shedeur Sanders: The Quiet Rookie Who Showed Up
Shedeur Sanders didn’t throw for 300 yards. Didn’t make any highlight reel throws. Didn’t even lead a touchdown drive in the first half. But here’s the thing—he didn’t make a single mistake. No interceptions. No forced throws. No panic. He managed the game like a seasoned veteran, even when the offense sputtered. His most important play? A simple dump-off to running back Dylan Sampson on a 3rd-and-8 in the fourth quarter. Sampson broke a tackle, cut back against the grain, and sprinted 66 yards for a touchdown that put the game out of reach at 24-10.
It was the longest rushing TD by a Browns running back since Nick Chubb’s 71-yarder in 2022. And for Sanders, it was the moment he stopped being a prospect and became a starter. His completion rate? 17 of 24. His passer rating? 98.3. His poise? Impeccable. After the game, he didn’t do a single interview. Just nodded, smiled, and said, “We played like a team.” That’s the kind of leadership you can’t coach.
The Human Cost of the Game
Behind the stats and sacks, there were injuries that tell a quieter story. Raiders tight end Michael Mayer, who had been one of the few offensive bright spots this season, left in the second quarter with an ankle sprain. Running back Ashton Jeanty, a promising rookie, was carted off late in the fourth after a brutal hit to the midsection. The Raiders’ depth is already thin. Now, they’re down two key pieces heading into their final five games.
For the Browns, Adin Huntington’s groin injury is a concern. He’d been a reliable rotational piece, and his absence could force rookie Javon Hargrave into more snaps against the 49ers next week. But Cleveland’s medical staff has been one of the league’s most efficient this season—only 12 players missed games due to injury through Week 12, the third-lowest total in the NFL.
What’s Next? A Statement Game for the Browns
The Browns now head home to FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, to face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, November 30, 2025. A win there wouldn’t just be a statement—it would be a signal. The 49ers are 9-2, but they’ve struggled against mobile quarterbacks and aggressive defenses. Sanders’ growth could be the key. And if Garrett can keep up this level of play, the Browns might just sneak into the playoff conversation.
For the Raiders? Their season is over. They’ll visit the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on the same day. But with a 2-9 record and a roster in disarray, the only thing left to play for is pride—and maybe draft position.
Behind the Broadcast
The game aired on CBS, with streaming available across Paramount+, NFL+, and every major platform from YouTube TV to Hulu. Internationally, fans in Australia watched at 8:05 a.m. on Monday, November 24, AEST. And while the Associated Press and STATS LLC provided the official box score, the real story unfolded on YouTube through The Raiders Report by Chat Sports. Host Mitchell Renz offered live commentary with a fan’s energy, complete with a PrizePicks promo code (CLNS) for free lineups. Whether you watched the broadcast or the stream, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just a win for Cleveland. It was a turning point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is Shedeur Sanders’ first win as a starter?
Extremely. Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to win his NFL debut since Baker Mayfield in 2018. More impressively, he did it without a single turnover against a defense that had forced 14 takeaways in its last five games. His 98.3 passer rating and 17 completions on 24 attempts show he can handle pressure—a huge leap for a rookie who started the season as the third-string QB.
Why did the Raiders’ offense collapse so badly?
The Raiders have struggled all season with offensive line cohesion, and Sunday was their worst performance yet. They allowed 10 sacks—the most since 2019—and generated only 184 total yards through three quarters. Geno Smith was under constant duress, and without a reliable running game (just 68 yards on 21 carries), they were one-dimensional. The crowd’s boos weren’t just frustration—they were a sign the team has lost its locker room.
What does this win mean for the Browns’ playoff chances?
Slim, but not impossible. At 3-8, they’re still far behind the AFC North leaders. But with the Steelers and Bengals both struggling, and the Ravens facing injuries, Cleveland could still finish 6-11 or better. A win over the 49ers next week would keep them mathematically alive. More importantly, it proves they’re building something under Kevin Stefanski—something with identity, discipline, and a defense that can carry them.
How does Myles Garrett’s performance compare to his past seasons?
Garrett now has 14.5 sacks this season, on pace for a career-high 18.5. His three-sack game was his sixth multi-sack performance since 2021—tied for the most in the NFL over that span. He’s not just a pass-rusher anymore; he’s a game-wrecker. His 31 pressures this year rank second in the league, and his 78% win rate on first-down snaps is the best among all defensive ends.
What’s the historical significance of the Browns beating the Raiders?
This was Cleveland’s first win over Las Vegas since 2014—a 11-year drought. Before this, the Raiders had won seven straight meetings, including a 2023 overtime thriller in Cleveland. The 2014 win was the last time the Browns won a game by more than 10 points. Sunday’s 14-point margin was their largest victory over any AFC West team since 2012, and it’s the first time they’ve held a Raiders offense to under 10 points since 2007.
Are injuries a major concern heading into Week 13?
Yes. Adin Huntington’s groin injury could sideline him for 2–4 weeks, forcing more minutes for rookie Javon Hargrave. For the Raiders, Michael Mayer and Ashton Jeanty are both questionable for next week. Mayer leads the team in receptions among tight ends, and Jeanty was their most explosive runner. Without them, the Raiders’ offense may collapse entirely—especially against the Chargers’ top-ranked pass rush.
