Shedeur Sanders started his first NFL game two weeks ago against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Browns won that game 24-10. The week after, Sanders started again, this time losing to the San Francisco 49ers, 26-8.
Statistically, Sanders played pretty much equal in both games. Against the Raiders, he had 209 yards, a TD and a pick on 11/20. Against the 49ers he had 149 yards and a TD on 16/25 passing.
Both games were what you’d expect from a rookie QB. A few great plays, a few head-scratchers. The one I was most impressed with was one of his first throws against the Raiders. He launched one deep downfield, a pass that I didn’t see Gabriel make in his many starts to begin the season. Sanders scrambled out of the pocket and delivered a deep ball on the money. Check out the throw below:
SHEDEUR SANDERS GOES DEEP FOR 53 YARDS.
Story continues below advertisementCLEvsLV on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/dVqZbz0ESf
— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2025
It was truly a thing of beauty. But he also had some ugly moments, including an interception that was thrown directly to the defender. There wasn’t a chance this ball was completed:
Shedeur Sanders throws an interception to the Raiders. pic.twitter.com/57viHoDMMm
— VideoMixtape.com (@VideoMixtape_) November 23, 2025
But props to Sanders for getting a win in his first start. He was the first Browns QB to do so since 1995! I generally count wins as a QB stat, especially on a team with this good of a defense. Sanders really has no excuses, and he came through in Vegas.
But against San Francisco, things were different. Sanders still had himself a decent game, but the rookie just couldn’t finish drives in the end zone. Far too many drives ended in turnovers-on-downs and punts. Three fourth down fails does not bode well for team success. And San Francisco’s defense isn’t even particularly good this year.
However, a good portion of the loss can be attributed to freak turnovers, which always seems to happen to Cleveland at the worst moments. Sanders was leading a solid drive in the third quarter, about to score and cut into San Francisco’s lead. Unfortunately, Harold Fannin fumbled the drive away.
Later, after Cleveland’s defense got a stop, the Browns muffed the punt return and gave Brock Purdy and the Niners great field position. They scored a TD just after.
While you can blame Sanders for failing to execute on critical third and fourth downs, you cannot blame him much for the turnovers in the second half. I’d imagine, especially for a rookie, that two turnovers like that in quick succession really hinder your rhythm. It’s probably hard enough for Sanders to get adjusted without the Browns turnovers that have become so common and at times inexplicable.
I am starting to empathize more with Dillon Gabriel after seeing what Shedeur is going through. It is so frustrating that the Browns continue to present nearly impossible situations for QBs to thrive, and then expect their rookies to go out there and shine.
Still, Sanders has been doing a pretty respectable job considering the position he’s in, and I expect him only to improve as the year concludes. He looks like he’s settling in a little bit, and I think he definitely has the arm talent to succeed.
The only thing standing in his way seems to be, strangely, Deshaun Watson. His 21-day practice window was just activated, which means that Watson can start practicing and playing quite soon. I don’t know about other Browns fans, but personally, I am done with Watson. He had his chance, and he did not look anywhere near worthy of the trade value we gave up for him. Most analysts would call that trade the worst in NFL history.
If Stefanski opts to start Watson this year, I think it would be a grave mistake. Sanders has Browns fans excited for the first time in a while. He needs a few more games to settle in. Meanwhile, we already know what Watson has in the tank, and it’s not much.
Give the rookie another shot. This week Cleveland plays the worst team in football, the Tennessee Titans. This is a huge opportunity for Sanders to bounce back. If Sanders plays well, the Browns should dominate the Titans, as I don’t expect our defense to give up many points at all.
Shedeur, Cleveland’s got your back! Go show everyone what you’ve got.
