It remains unclear whether rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is a franchise cornerstone for the Cleveland Browns. But at least he gave their offense the needed pizzazz in his starting debut.
On Sunday, Sanders faced the Las Vegas Raiders in a road game. The former Colorado Buffaloes star was filling in for fellow rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, who suffered a concussion in a Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Gabriel replaced Joe Flacco (who has since been dealt to the Cincinnati Bengals) as the team’s starting QB after Week 4. Flacco — who tossed six interceptions in four games for Cleveland — struggled with turnovers before being traded.
With Gabriel at the helm, the Browns didn’t push the ball downfield much. After 11 weeks, the Oregon product ranked last among 36 eligible passers in yards per pass attempt (5.1). That changed with Sanders in the lineup.
Shedeur Sanders let it fly against the Raiders
Sanders displayed his arm strength late in the first quarter against the Raiders. On a third-and-8 at Cleveland’s 46-yard line, the fifth-round pick rolled to his right and launched a 53-yard deep ball to rookie wide receiver Isaiah Bond.