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Story by Alan Snel Photos by Hugh Byrne
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — The game’s headline was in Vegas neon: the first National Football League start for rookie Shedeur Sanders, the 23-year-old quarterback picked by the Cleveland Browns with the 144th overall draft pick in the fifth round.
You may have also heard of Sanders’ Prime Time dad, Deion, his coach at the University of Colorado.
Sanders managed the Browns offense efficiently to claim a 24-10 win over an Las Vegas Raiders team that lost its ninth game in 11 games this year. Sanders threw a long 52-yard pass on the run to set up the Browns’ second TD and them tossed a swing pass that was converted into a 66-yard touchdown catch-and-run for a 24-3 Cleveland lead in the fourth quarter.
Sanders completed 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards, with that touchdown pass and one interception.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said of playing against Sanders in his first start: “It was fun. It’s a blast, I love the kid. Happy he’s getting the opportunity, and I always wish him the best.”
The Raiders tacked on a touchdown on a five-yard reception by Ashton Jeanty to complete the scoring in the fourth quarter.
Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said this after the game: “We’re pretty disappointed about this one, but if you don’t score, you can’t win, and we couldn’t score. It was an incredible game of defense on both sides, their team, our team. The numbers are, whatever, they’re next to nothing.”
The Raiders might be a two-win team, but financial business news reports put the Raiders’ value at $7.7 billion or $7.9 billion.
The Raiders’ quarterback, Geno Smith, was under duress all game.
The powerful Browns defense, which yields the second fewest yards per game in the NFL, toyed with the Raiders offense. The Browns sacked Smith ten times as the Raiders offensive line looked broken.
The Raiders fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
PSA