Sunday’s game in Las Vegas wasn’t just another matchup between two struggling teams; it felt like a turning point, or at least the first sign of one. With his father watching from a suite, Shedeur Sanders walked out for his first NFL start and gave Browns fans something they haven’t had all season: hope that the offense can breathe again. Cleveland beat the Raiders 24–10, snapping a three-game slide and finally showing some direction on both sides of the ball.

Shedeur Sanders Ran a Calm, Simple Offense, and It Helped Cleveland Move Forward

Let's be honest. Sanders' start in this game wasn't perfect. His early interception showed he’s still adjusting, but the difference a full week of practice made was obvious. After going just 4-of-16 last week, he bounced back with 209 yards on 11-of-20 passing and delivered two game-changing throws that lifted the Browns’ entire offense.

His 54-yard strike to Isaiah Bond after escaping a blitz sparked Cleveland’s momentum, and his easy swing pass that turned into a 66-yard touchdown gave the team the explosive play it’s been missing. The Browns haven’t usually topped 20 points this season, and Sanders showed what a stable passing and running game can do when combined.

His spot next week isn't guaranteed, but Shedeur Sanders turned himself into a viable QB option.

Myles Garrett Is Chasing a Record That Suddenly Looks Realistic

The Raiders’ offensive line simply couldn’t hold him Garrett, as he had three sacks, giving him 18 in the season, and the Browns totaled 10 sacks as a team. Garrett has now recorded 14 sacks in his last five games, the most any player has had in a five-game stretch since sacks became official in 1982. He needs five more to break the record of 22.5. Also, he forced two fumbles, lived in the backfield, and kept the Raiders offense buried all afternoon.

Pete Carroll’s Future Already Feels Uncertain in Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Raiders, led by first-year head coach Pete Carroll, have fallen to 2–9 in the 2025 season, dropping nine of their last ten games. He looked far from a Super Bowl winning coach, and even Carroll never expected it. "I’ve never not thought it would take [this much] work to get it right. I thought, ‘Well, maybe I could have something to do with avoiding this."

Hours after the defeat, the Raiders fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Under Kelly, the offense ranked near the bottom of the league in scoring, third-down efficiency, and red-zone production. This marks Carroll’s second coordinator dismissal of the season, following the early-year firing of special teams coordinator Tom McMahon.

The team’s repeated staff changes and prolonged offensive issues have raised real questions about Carroll’s long-term stability in Las Vegas. The front office now faces a critical decision: commit to Carroll’s vision or prepare for yet another organizational reset.

The Raiders Must Face Their Quarterback Problem Head-On

Geno Smith threw for 285 yards, but most of that came when the Browns were already defending deep and playing softer. Smith also entered the game tied for the league lead in interceptions, and the offensive issues didn’t disappear: poor protection, slow reads, and no consistent spark.

He’s 35, he’s struggling under pressure, and he’s carrying a two-year, $75 million deal with over $66 million guaranteed. The Raiders could move on, especially with more than $100 million in cap space projected next year. Doing so would be expensive, but staying with a fading veteran might cost even more long-term.

A high draft pick feels almost certain now, and that might be where Las Vegas finds its next quarterback.

From Here, the Situation Only Gets More Complicated.

Cleveland now faces a much tougher challenge: the San Francisco 49ers. If he starts, their defense will test Sanders in ways the Raiders couldn’t.

The Raiders head into two division games Chargers and Broncos,, likely playing for draft position and future planning more than anything else.

What do you think about the Browns' win? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Mohd Mudabbir Ansari

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar