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Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium. (Photo credit to Michael Clemens/Las Vegas Raiders)

By Michael Villanueva

LAS VEGAS, NV – On Sunday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium, the Las Vegas Raiders hosted the Cleveland Browns for week 12. Coming into this game, the Cleveland Browns had officially named Shedeur Sanders their starting quarterback, marking his first start in the National Football League.

His debut grabbed attention as the Browns tested his ability to manage NFL speed, decision-making, and pocket discipline in his first opportunity as a starter. Success came quick for Sanders as he coached the Browns to a 24-10 win over the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.

Sanders was able to secure the starting Quarterback title for this game, as third-round pick from Oregon, Dillon Francis, had sustained a concussion against the Baltimore Ravens, which led to Sanders taking the starting role.

For Las Vegas, tight end Brock Bowers came into the game having already set an NFL record, becoming the all-time leader in tight end receptions after two seasons. His productivity quickly established him as one of the league’s most dangerous young offensive players, and his role remained vital to the Raiders’ game plan.

On defense, Raiders DE Maxx Crosby was one sack away from adding to his already outstanding career. With one more sack, he will have seven consecutive seasons of 7.0 or more sacks, joining only 11 other players in NFL history to do so in their first seven seasons. Crosby, an experienced All-Pro pass rusher, saw another opportunity to cement his reputation as one of football’s best defensive talents.

Cleveland Browns Myles Garret leads the NFL in sacks so far in the 2025 NFL season, and he will be facing off against Left Guard, Stone Forsythe from Las Vegas, who has only allowed 5 sacks this season on his side of the offensive line. This was a key matchup, as the Cleveland defense proved they’re too much for the Raiders’ offense. The Las Vegas Raiders lead the all-time series against the Cleveland Browns at 15-10.

Cleveland scored first after a critical special teams play early in the first quarter. The Browns broke loose for a 44-yard punt return, and a tripping penalty on Las Vegas punter AJ Cole added an additional 14 yards, putting Cleveland deep into Raiders territory. Just two plays later, the Browns took advantage of the short field and punched in the game’s first touchdown, grabbing the lead with 8:24 left in the first quarter.

Cleveland soon stretched its lead later in the quarter. QB Shedeur Sanders rolled out to avoid pressure and threw a 52-yard pass to Isaiah Bond, setting up the offense on the goal line. Quinshon Judkins then scored a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Browns a 14-0 lead with 48 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Las Vegas struggled offensively, gaining only 40 yards, converting one of four third-down opportunities, and picking up three team penalties. Cleveland’s defense dominated early, putting pressure on the Raiders’ offense and setting a tough tone for the rest of the game.

The Raiders attempted to respond early in the second quarter, but their early drives failed. Las Vegas went three and out on its first possession and missed a 48-yard field goal, leaving the scoreboard blank. Cleveland took possession near midfield, but on the first play, Shedeur Sanders threw an interception to the Raiders’  DE Charles Snowden, who returned it 14 yards. The Raiders were still unable to capitalize immediately, but on their next play, they successfully completed a 41-yard field goal, bringing the score to 14-3.

Just before the two-minute warning, Cleveland had the ball at their own 48-yard line. Sanders fired a 39-yard pass to Jerry Jeudy, but the ball was punched out by Raiders strong safety Jeremy Chinn, resulting in a turnover. Despite the turnover opportunity, the Raiders’ offense went three-and-out on the next play following a key defensive stop by Cleveland, showing that the Raiders’ offensive struggles are holding them back. Leaving the score 14-3 heading into halftime, with the Raiders’ ball at the start of the second half.

Las Vegas began the second half with the ball, hoping to gain momentum and reduce the gap between them. The Raiders converted a third-down play, which was a minor bright spot given their current third-down effectiveness of 2 of 11.

However, the drive ended shortly later, leaving Las Vegas with a 4th-and-4 situation. QB Geno Smith was pressured and sacked for a nine yard loss, handing the ball over to Cleveland on the Raiders’ 48-yard line.

The remainder of the third quarter was an offensive struggle for both sides, primarily Las Vegas. The Raiders’ offense continued to show symptoms of confusion and anger, as shown by evident attitudes from both players and coaches. Their fourth-down conversion rate was now 0-for-2, while their third-down efficiency had dropped to 3-for-14. Despite many drives, the Raiders were yet to reach the red zone, putting the score at Cleveland 14, Las Vegas 3, entering the fourth quarter.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Browns RB Dylan Sampson broke loose up the middle for a 26-yard gain, putting Cleveland at the Las Vegas 21. The Raiders defense tightened after that, forcing a 53-yard field goal. Cleveland converted, extending their lead to 17-3.

With 8:18 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Browns increased their lead when Sanders connected with Dylan Sampson on a quick slant, and Sampson raced for a 66-yard touchdown. That made it 24-3, as Cleveland continues to capitalize on the Raiders’ offensive troubles. The Browns’ defense is not allowing Las Vegas to breathe, forcing back-to-back three-and-outs to maintain complete control of the game.

The Raiders eventually end up on the scoreboard. After their first red-zone trip of the night produced a defensive penalty, Las Vegas scored on a 5-yard touchdown throw from Geno Smith to Ashton Jeanty with 5:11 left. The score cuts the gap, but Cleveland maintains a commanding 24-10 edge.

Right before the two-minute warning, Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty was injured after Geno Smith’s 12-yard catch-and-run. On the next play, Las Vegas suffered another setback when Myles Garrett sacked Smith, knocking the ball loose.

Maliek Collins recovered the ball for Cleveland, giving the Browns possession with two minutes remaining and the opportunity to end the game by running out the time, and that’s exactly what happened in the remaining final minutes of the game. For the first time since 1995, a Browns starter has won his first career start. Browns Shedeur Sanders finished the game with 11 completions on 20 attempts. He was sacked just once in the game, also finishing with 1 touchdown pass, 1 interception, and an 87.3 rating.

The Raiders will travel to Inglewood for a rival conference game against the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday (11/30) at 1:25 p.m. in SoFi Stadium. Las Vegas will try to break their current five-game losing run and regain what’s left of its season confidence. At the post-game conference, Raiders head coach, Pete Carroll, had this to say after the game, “If you don’t score, you can’t win, and we couldn’t score. It was an incredible game of defense, both teams… we had opportunities to make big plays and we didn’t hit them.” Noted that the Raiders did not score until the 4th quarter with 5 minutes remaining in the game.

Raiders quarterback Geno Smith finished with 30 completions on 44 attempts. He was sacked 10 times in this game, 1 touchdown pass, and also finishing a 93.5 rating. Raiders also did not see the return of Ashton Jeanty due to an ankle injury he sustained late in the 4th quarter. He and Michael Mayer are possibly out for the next game due to their ankle injuries.

The final score in Sin City: Cleveland 24, Las Vegas 10; the Browns leave with a road victory.