Historic Win Paves the Way for Sanders' Second Start

Post by : Mara Rahim

Shedeur Sanders is off to an impressive beginning in his NFL journey, becoming the first Browns rookie quarterback in 30 years to achieve victory in his first start. He now faces a significant challenge as he aims to lead Cleveland to back-to-back wins for the first time in two seasons.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Monday that Sanders will indeed start again. This opportunity follows an impressive 24-10 win against the Las Vegas Raiders, showcasing his growth and confidence since a rocky debut just two weeks prior.

Stefanski emphasized the quarterback's key role in securing victories for the team, praising Sanders for his initial win while stressing that continual improvement is essential. According to the coach, young players develop by learning from every game, and Sanders is showing notable progress.

After facing challenges in his debut against the Ravens, Sanders exhibited considerable improvement on Sunday. He successfully completed 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards, scoring one touchdown and throwing one interception. Notably, this marked only the third time this season a Browns quarterback has exceeded 200 passing yards, underscoring the importance of Sanders’ performance.

Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees crafted a game plan that mixed short, secure throws with strategic deep passes. Thirteen of his throws were under 10 yards, establishing a solid rhythm. However, Rees’ trust in Sanders resulted in two deep completions, including a remarkable 52-yard pass to Isaiah Bond, one of the game's pivotal moments.

In that play, Sanders navigated pressure from Maxx Crosby seamlessly, delivering a precise throw as Bond outmaneuvered cornerback Darnay Holmes. Additionally, Sanders showcased his skills with an electrifying 66-yard touchdown to Dylan Sampson, enhancing his highlight reel—a testament to the Browns' strongest passing plays this season.

A notable aspect of Sanders' growth was his capability to avoid sacks and manage pressure. This had been a significant concern earlier in the preseason and during his match against Baltimore. However, his performance against Las Vegas saw him sacked only once, despite facing opposition pressure on eight occasions. Stefanski noted that, for a young quarterback making his initial start, the execution of the offense was impressively smooth and consistent, while acknowledging areas for growth. He commended Sanders' resilience and adaptability to the NFL pace.

While Sanders captured much of the spotlight, the Browns defense also made a strong statement. Cleveland's defensive unit demonstrated dominance with an astonishing ten sacks against Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith—the second-highest tally in the franchise's history. Myles Garrett excelled with three sacks, complemented by eight different players contributing to the total.

Despite the strong defensive output, the team struggled on third downs, going only 3 for 12 against the Raiders for the second consecutive week. Additionally, running back Jerome Ford's involvement gradually diminished as he recorded just one carry for negative yards.

In injury updates, defensive tackle Adin Huntington and tight end Brenden Bates are anticipated to miss several games. In contrast, linebacker Carson Schwesinger has been a standout, amassing 89 tackles thus far this season.

Looking ahead, the Browns are gearing up for their next home encounter against San Francisco. With a home record of 2-3 this season, historical performance favors them, as they have triumphed in 8 out of their last 10 matchups with the 49ers. With Sanders set to lead again, fans are eagerly anticipating another positive outcome and possibly a second consecutive victory.