Shedeur Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to win his first NFL start since 1995, snapping a 17-game losing streak.
— As Shedeur Sanders walked off the field at Allegiant Stadium, he stopped for a moment to revel in the remaining fans that had waited for him at the road team tunnel.
Sanders slowly raised his left wrist, flashing his trademark watch celebration, as the crowd’s cheers crescendoed. He then formed a heart with his hands before heading through the tunnel, where he met his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, for a postgame embrace.
In his first NFL start Sunday, Sanders had an impressive showing, completing 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards with one touchdown and an interception in the Browns‘ 24-10 win over the Raiders.
Sanders, who became the 42nd quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999, also became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his first career NFL start since Eric Zeier in 1995. The victory ended a 17-game losing streak for the Browns in games with a quarterback making his first career NFL start. That was the longest streak by any franchise since 1950, when QB starts were first recorded.
The win also snapped a 13-game road losing streak for the Browns, which was the longest active streak in the NFL and their second-longest in franchise history.
After the game, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was noncommittal on a starting quarterback for next Sunday’s home game against the San Francisco 49ers. Stefanski previously said that rookie Dillon Gabriel would return to the starting role once he cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol. Gabriel was inactive on Sunday but returned to practice Friday in a limited capacity.
Stefanski said after Friday’s practice that Gabriel had not yet cleared concussion protocol.
„I’m not going to get into that“, Stefanski said. „Obviously proud of [Sanders]. I’m proud of this offense and there are a ton of things to learn from. But, I’m going to worry about today.“
When later asked about his process for naming a starting quarterback, Stefanski said, „I’m always going to take my time and do what’s best for the football team.
