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When the Cleveland Browns announced that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders
would make his first NFL career start against the Las Vegas Raiders, the football
world instantly shifted its attention. For weeks, rumors had swirled about when the
former Colorado superstar would finally get the reins in Cleveland. On Sunday
afternoon in Las Vegas, that moment finally arrived — in front of an electrified
crowd and under the proud gaze of his father, NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
Shedeur’s journey to this moment has been anything but ordinary. From being
projected as a potential first-round pick to slipping into the fifth round, from taking
limited reps in practice to being thrown into the fire against one of the league’s
toughest defenses, the young quarterback now finds himself at the center of one
of the NFL’s most closely watched storylines.
This is the story behind that first start — the pressure, the expectations, the
criticisms, the odds, and the hope surrounding Cleveland’s newest quarterback
experiment.
A Father–Son Moment Before Kickoff
As Shedeur walked down the tunnel of Allegiant Stadium, he wasn’t alone. Cameras
captured a powerful moment: Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders greeting his son with a
smile, a helmet tap, and a quiet message only a father could deliver.
“The work’s already been done, bro. We already worked for this… You feel me? It’s
us. Let’s do it.”
When the Cleveland Browns announced that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders
would make his first NFL career start against the Las Vegas Raiders, the football
world instantly shifted its attention. For weeks, rumors had swirled about when the
former Colorado superstar would finally get the reins in Cleveland. On Sunday
afternoon in Las Vegas, that moment finally arrived — in front of an electrified
crowd and under the proud gaze of his father, NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
Shedeur’s journey to this moment has been anything but ordinary. From being
projected as a potential first-round pick to slipping into the fifth round, from taking
limited reps in practice to being thrown into the fire against one of the league’s
toughest defenses, the young quarterback now finds himself at the center of one
of the NFL’s most closely watched storylines.
This is the story behind that first start — the pressure, the expectations, the
criticisms, the odds, and the hope surrounding Cleveland’s newest quarterback
experiment.
A Father–Son Moment Before Kickoff
As Shedeur walked down the tunnel of Allegiant Stadium, he wasn’t alone. Cameras
captured a powerful moment: Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders greeting his son with a
smile, a helmet tap, and a quiet message only a father could deliver.
“The work’s already been done, bro. We already worked for this… You feel me? It’s
us. Let’s do it.”
It was a grounding moment before the biggest game of Shedeur’s young career.
Deion wasn’t just there as a spectator — he was a reminder of the expectations
and legacy behind the Sanders name.
And as Shedeur ran onto the field, hyping up the crowd, Cleveland fans watching
from home knew this wasn’t just another rookie debut. It was a new chapter
beginning.
Why Shedeur Sanders Got the Start
Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski made the announcement that Sanders would
start after rookie QB Dillon Gabriel entered concussion protocol. Gabriel — who
had surprisingly been chosen to start over Sanders following the trade of veteran
Joe Flacco — did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. And although he returned
to practice Friday, he was ruled out.
That left Sanders as the next man up, with Bailey Zappe sliding into the backup
spot.
The timing, though unexpected, created the perfect test case:
Sanders finally got a full week of practice as QB1
He was facing a struggling 2-8 Raiders team
Cleveland’s quarterback position was wide open
The Browns desperately needed stability after weeks of chaos
For the first time all season, Shedeur had a clear runway.
A Rough Debut — But An Incomplete Story
Sanders already saw NFL action the week before in the Browns’ 27–20 loss to the
Baltimore Ravens. His performance — 4-of-16 for 47 yards and an interception —
sparked criticism across NFL media.
But context mattered:
He had almost no first-team practice reps
He entered cold during a tight division game
Baltimore’s defense is one of the most aggressive units in football
He was forced into high-pressure situations with little preparation
Cleveland’s offensive line struggled throughout the game
Even with the poor stat line, Cleveland coaches saw enough to believe Shedeur
deserved a real shot — with real preparation.
And this week, for the first time, he had it.
The Pressure of History in Cleveland
Sanders becomes the 18th quarterback since 1999 to make his first NFL start for the
Browns — and the history is brutal:
The previous 17 all lost. Every single one.
Cleveland's quarterback carousel has been one of the NFL’s longest-running
storylines. Names like:
Tim Couch
DeShone Kizer
Colt McCoy
Brandon Weeden
Johnny Manziel
Cody Kessler
DeShawn Kaiser
…and many more highlight a franchise constantly searching for stability at the most
important position.
Shedeur now enters that list — but with an opportunity to rewrite what it means to
debut as a Browns QB.
The Betting Market Reacts — and
It Wasn’t Kind
Oddsmakers did not expect fireworks from Shedeur Sanders.
At BetMGM:
Browns opened as +3 underdogs
After Sanders was named the starter, the line moved to Raiders -4
Sanders' passing prop opened at 159.5 yards and moved slightly to 163.5 yards
It became the lowest passing yardage line for any Week 12 starting quarterback
Oddsmakers ranked Sanders 32nd among NFL starters
One sportsbook director stated bluntly:
“He hasn’t shown anything that would put him above the 32nd-ranked QB.”
Another added:
“The bottom line is he needs to demonstrate he’s a competent NFL backup… I have
no great expectations.”
Some oddsmakers even predicted 10 or fewer points scored by Cleveland with
Sanders under center.
In other words: the world wasn’t betting on Shedeur — not yet.
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Chiefs called for a face mask and it brings back a touchdown from Travis Kelce. pic.twitter.com/gxdpr1cnm5
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) November 23, 2025
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Why This Game Matters for Sanders and
Cleveland
Despite the pessimism, Sanders' first start carries massive significance for both the
player and the franchise.
1. The QB Job Is Wide Open
With Gabriel injured, Flacco traded, and no established veteran on the roster,
Sanders has a rare chance:
Win, and he could take the job permanently.
Lose, and Cleveland may go right back to the carousel.
2. A 2–8 Raiders Team Provides a Favorable Test
The Raiders’ defense ranks:
14th in DVOA
17th in yards allowed
24th in points allowed
Not elite. Not terrible. But certainly beatable.
3. The NFL Is Watching the Sanders Brand
Fair or not, Shedeur is not just another rookie quarterback. With a global following
from his Colorado days and the spotlight that comes with being Deion Sanders’
son, his NFL start carries unique attention.
4. Cleveland Needs Hope
Fans are desperate for:
A franchise quarterback
A long-term solution
A reason to believe the rebuild is working
Sanders symbolizes a chance — not yet proven, but full of potential.
Can Shedeur Sanders Become the Guy?
In today’s NFL, quarterback success is often judged instantly. Social media wants
fast results. Fans want instant greatness. Analysts want highlight plays.
But Sanders' first start should be evaluated on deeper criteria:
✔ Poise under pressure
Does he stay calm in collapsing pockets?
✔ Decision-making
Does he force throws or manage the game?
✔ Accuracy improvement
Does he look more confident with a full week of reps?
✔ Leadership presence
Does the offense respond to him?
✔ Adaptability
How does he adjust to NFL speed after a rocky debut?
The Browns aren’t expecting perfection — they’re looking for progress.
And if Shedeur shows even flashes of the playmaking talent he displayed at
Colorado, Cleveland may begin to see the outline of a long-term starter.
A Rookie Under the Brightest Lights
Despite both teams entering the matchup at 2-8, this Browns–Raiders game
suddenly carries unusual national attention.
Why?
Because what happens in Vegas might determine the trajectory of Shedeur
Sanders’ NFL career.
A strong debut could:
Silence critics
Win over teammates
Give Cleveland clarity
Spark momentum for the rest of the season
Shift national perception
A poor outing would bring more questions, more skepticism, and more pressure.
But this is football — and pressure creates opportunity.
The Stakes Are Big, the Stage Is Bigger
No matter how Sunday unfolds, Shedeur Sanders has already made history:
One of the few sons of an NFL Hall of Famer to start at quarterback
A rookie entering the league with massive expectations
A young player carrying the hopes of a franchise starving for stability
Sunday’s debut is not about perfection.
It’s about proving he belongs.
And with Deion Sanders watching from the stands, with Cleveland fans holding
their breath, and with oddsmakers doubting him, Shedeur now has the chance to
make his mark — and maybe, just maybe, start a new era for the Browns.
