The Browns’ latest win against the Raiders cracked open a conversation fans never saw coming. Right at the center of it stands Shedeur Sanders. The rookie quarterback seems to be suddenly carrying the hopes of an entire fan base. Yet as we learned this week, not everything after that 24–10 victory went the way people assumed.

Kevin Stefanski finally cleared the air on the Shedeur Sanders game-ball controversy ahead of the 49ers showdown. His explanation sets the stage for a narrative that Cleveland fans will want to watch every step of the way.

Stefanski Clarifies Why Sanders Didn’t Get a Game Ball

Last Sunday’s win over the Raiders broke a three-game slide, with Sanders earning his first career start and walking out with a double-digit victory. It was the kind of moment that makes people wonder whether the Browns' rookie is ready to live up to the promise he showed during his college career with Colorado. However, there was one surprise: Sanders didn’t receive a game ball.

That sparked some chatter, so head coach Kevin Stefanski stepped in on Wednesday to clear things up. He explained exactly how those decisions are made and why Sanders wasn’t left out of the celebration.

“You go into it, try to just highlight guys. You know, Myles [Garrett] got a game ball. I thought it was pretty worthy,” Stefanski said. “But, you’re just constantly trying to recognize your guys. We spent time this morning as well, pointing out all the guys and the job they did. You know, pointed out Gage [Larvadain] having a big punt return, which was huge for our team. Your D-line doesn’t get 10 sacks unless your coverage is really good. Obviously a rookie starting his first game on the road getting a win is huge so, you acknowledge all of that with your team.”

In other words, Shedeur Sanders didn’t walk out of Las Vegas with a game ball in hand, but he absolutely got the recognition he earned. In fairness, the Browns had plenty of players who stepped up to produce their second-highest point total of the season. Their only bigger offensive outing came back in Week 7, when Dillon Gabriel led the team to a 31–6 win over the Dolphins.

Sanders’ performance was solid for a first-time starter in a tough road environment. He finished 11-of-20 for 209 yards, tossing one touchdown and one interception. His best moment came on a beautifully executed screen pass that rookie running back Dylan Sampson turned into a 66-yard sprint to the end zone, a play that now has Sampson in the conversation for Rookie of the Week honors. Yet, what matters now is what comes next.

Shedeur Sanders' Big Opportunity in Week 13

Stefanski has already confirmed Sanders as the Week 13 starter when the Browns return home to face the San Francisco 49ers, a team suddenly missing two defensive superstars in Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. That creates an opportunity Sanders simply can’t afford to waste.

Game ball or not, the rookie has one job: keep the Browns winning.

We did see progress from him, as he showed more control and fewer shaky moments that showed up during the preseason and in his brief action against Baltimore in Week 11. But everyone in Cleveland understands the truth: not every opponent will struggle the way the Raiders did. The challenges are only going to get tougher from here, and Sanders must grow just as quickly as the stakes rise.

That brings us to the real question Browns fans are asking themselves heading into Week 13. Can Shedeur Sanders take this momentum and turn it into something sustainable? Tell us what you think in the comments.

Written by

Mohd Mudabbir Ansari

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi