Browns vs. Las Vegas – NFL Game Recap: November 23, 2025

A Breakthrough Debut and a Defensive Masterclass

The Cleveland Browns walked out of Allegiant Stadium with a much-needed victory, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 24–10 in a matchup defined by a rookie’s poised debut and one of the most dominant defensive showings the team has delivered all season.

Shedeur Sanders stepped into his first NFL start with confidence that matched the moment, helping the Browns end a three-game skid and claim just their third win of the year. Starting only because fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel entered concussion protocol, Sanders made the most of the opportunity—passing for 209 yards and a touchdown while managing the game with surprising calm for a first-time starter. Cleveland, remarkably, had lost 17 straight games when starting a new quarterback, but Sanders ended that streak with authority.

Even so, his performance shared the spotlight with a Browns defense that overwhelmed Las Vegas from the opening snap.

Myles Garrett Leads a Relentless Pass Rush

Cleveland’s defensive front produced a staggering 10 sacks, a statistic that not only shaped the flow of the game but underlined the Raiders’ ongoing struggles protecting their quarterback. Myles Garrett recorded three of those sacks, continuing a historic campaign that now includes 18 total—surpassing his own franchise record.

Garrett is now within striking distance of the NFL’s single-season sacks mark of 22.5, with six games left to chase it. His recent stretch has been unprecedented: 14 sacks in his last five games, the most in any five-game span since sacks became official in 1982. Along with two forced fumbles, four tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits, Garrett's performance was the engine behind Cleveland’s win and arguably the most disruptive defensive outing in the league this season.

In total, eight Browns defenders recorded at least half a sack, a fact Garrett said gave him even more joy than his personal achievements.

Judkins Powers the Offense Early

Cleveland controlled the early tempo thanks to running back Quinshon Judkins, who scored two first-quarter touchdowns out of the wildcat formation. His early success allowed Sanders to settle in and play within the flow of the offense.

Later, Sanders flashed the talent that has followed him since college. He completed a 52-yard strike to Isaiah Bond—ending a 15-game drought without a 50-yard completion for any Browns quarterback—and later found Dylan Sampson on a short pass that turned into a 66-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Sanders’ swagger was evident before and after the game. Asked what Browns fans could expect, he famously said, “I’m who they’ve been looking for.” After securing his first win, he doubled down, saying many wanted him to fail—“and it ain’t going to happen.”

Coach Kevin Stefanski, however, was noncommittal when asked if Sanders would retain the starting role next week, emphasizing his focus on “today” despite praising the rookie’s performance.

Raiders Continue Their Slide

The Raiders, now 2–9 after dropping their fifth straight game, simply couldn’t keep pace. Their offensive line allowed another avalanche of pressures, giving up 20 sacks over the past three weeks alone.

Coach Pete Carroll expressed clear frustration, noting that the team failed to execute big plays and struggled to match Cleveland’s pass rush. “If you don’t score, you can’t win—and we couldn’t score,” he said, acknowledging the offense’s inability to capitalize on opportunities.

Quarterback Geno Smith threw for 285 yards and a touchdown, though many of those yards came with Cleveland playing softer coverage late in the game. Defensive star Maxx Crosby contributed five tackles for loss, but even his effort wasn’t enough to shift momentum.

Vegas punted eight times and lost possession three more times through turnovers and failed fourth-down attempts—drawing heavy boos from the home crowd. The team has now dropped nine of its past ten contests.

Injuries and Next Steps

Cleveland dealt with one injury of note: defensive end Adin Huntington, who left in the third quarter with a groin issue.

Las Vegas saw tight end Michael Mayer and running back Ashton Jeanty leave with ankle injuries, the latter after taking a hard late-game hit.

Looking ahead, the Browns host the San Francisco 49ers, while the Raiders travel to face the Chargers.

Conclusion

The Browns’ 24–10 victory was more than a win—it was a glimpse of what the franchise hopes is a turning point. Myles Garrett’s historic run continues to redefine the standard for elite defensive play, while Shedeur Sanders injected a new sense of confidence and possibility into a team that has churned through quarterbacks for decades.

For the Raiders, the loss underscores deeper structural issues, especially in pass protection, that must be addressed before progress can be made. Yet even amid mounting losses, individual standouts like Maxx Crosby and flashes from Geno Smith show that the foundation for improvement still exists.

As Cleveland looks forward with renewed optimism and Las Vegas searches for answers, this matchup may be remembered as the moment a rookie quarterback—and a record-chasing superstar—shifted the narrative of a difficult season.

Sources

CBS Sports Recap: Shedeur Sanders wins his 1st NFL start, Myles Garrett has 3 sacks as Browns beat Raiders 24–10
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20251123_CLE@LV/

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