Shedeur Sanders Leads Browns to 24-10 Win Over Raiders as Chip Kelly Fired After Fifth Straight Loss

When Shedeur Sanders dropped back to pass on his first NFL start, the weight of a franchise’s quarterback curse hung over him — and then he threw a 66-yard touchdown to Dylan Sampson. It wasn’t just a play. It was a release. On Week 12 of the 2025 NFL seasonAllegiant Stadium, the Cleveland Browns stunned the Las Vegas Raiders 24-10, ending a 17-game streak of first-start losses by Cleveland quarterbacks since 1999. And just like that, the narrative shifted — from dysfunction to hope.

The Breakthrough of a Rookie

Shedeur Sanders, the 21-year-old son of Deion Sanders, didn’t just play well — he played like he belonged. Replacing concussed starter Dillon Gabriel, Sanders completed 18 of 27 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown, with no interceptions. His poise under pressure was startling. He didn’t panic when the pocket collapsed. He didn’t force throws. He trusted his receivers. And when he did, he delivered — most memorably on that 66-yard bomb to Sampson with 4:12 left in the fourth. The YouTube highlights captured it perfectly: "ONE ROOKIE TO ANOTHER. HE WON’T BE CAUGHT! TOUCHDOWN, SAMPSON!" The crowd in Cleveland, watching on screens, erupted. In Las Vegas? Silence. Then boos.

A Defense That Swallowed the Raiders

If Sanders was the spark, Myles Garrett was the wildfire. The Browns’ defensive end racked up three sacks — part of a franchise-record 10 total — as the Raiders’ offensive line looked like a house of cards in a hurricane. Geno Smith, the veteran who’d been counted on to steady the ship, completed 24 of 37 passes for 285 yards, but most of those came late, when the Browns were playing prevent defense. The Raiders punted eight times, turned it over on downs twice, and lost a fumble. Their only scoring in the first half? A 34-yard field goal after missing one earlier. "They were flat," said one Raiders sideline source, speaking anonymously. "It’s like nobody believed they could move the ball. Not even Smith."

Chip Kelly’s Exit — Fast and Final

The moment the final whistle blew, the Raiders’ front office moved. Within 90 minutes, Las Vegas Raiders officially fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. The decision, confirmed by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, wasn’t a surprise — it was overdue. Under Kelly, the Raiders had scored 16 or fewer points in three straight games. Their offense ranked 31st in the league in red zone efficiency. They were 32nd in third-down conversion rate. Kelly, who’d won a national title last year as Ohio State’s OC, had returned to the NFL with a reputation as an innovator. But innovation without execution is just noise. "He had the playbook," said a former Eagles assistant who worked with Kelly. "But he didn’t have the players — or the discipline — to make it work."

A Franchise in Freefall

The Raiders are now 2-9. Their home record? 1-5. The crowd at Allegiant Stadium, once among the loudest in the league, has turned bitter. Fans waved "Fire Pete Carroll" signs. Others just sat, arms crossed, staring at the scoreboard. Head coach Pete Carroll, in his first season after a storied college career, is now facing mounting pressure. The Raiders haven’t won more than two games in a row since 2021. Their AFC West standing? Dead last. Behind the Broncos (9-2), Chargers (7-4), and even the Chiefs (6-5). The 2025 season isn’t just lost — it’s a cautionary tale.

The Browns’ Unexpected Lifeline

For Cleveland, this win was more than a break in a losing streak — it was a psychological reset. They’d lost five straight to the Raiders since 2014. Their quarterbacks had lost 17 straight starts as rookies since the franchise’s 1999 return. Now? They’ve snapped both. The defense, led by Garrett, was dominant. The running game, anchored by Nick Chubb (102 yards on 21 carries), controlled the clock. Even the special teams — usually a mess — didn’t blow a punt return. This wasn’t pretty. But it was enough.

What’s Next?

The Browns (3-8) will host the San Francisco 49ers on November 30 at Huntington Bank Field. A win there could spark real momentum. The Raiders? They travel to SoFi Stadium to face the Los Angeles Chargers on the same day — a matchup that could decide who finishes last in the AFC West. With Kelly gone, who takes over? Interim coordinator Troy Aikman (yes, *that* Aikman) is rumored to be on the shortlist. But the bigger question: Is this season salvageable? Or is it just the beginning of a full rebuild?

Injuries and Aftermath

The game wasn’t without cost. Browns DE Adin Huntington left with a groin strain in the third quarter. Raiders TE Michael Mayer suffered an ankle sprain in the second. And running back Ashton Jeanty exited late after taking a brutal hit to the midsection — a blow that left him visibly shaken. Medical staff rushed to his side. He walked off under his own power, but didn’t return. These aren’t just stats — they’re human moments in a brutal game.