Post by : Maya Rahman

Shedeur Sanders has embarked on an impressive journey in the NFL, becoming the first Browns rookie quarterback to win his inaugural start in 30 years. Now, he gears up for a significant test—aiming to lead Cleveland to consecutive victories for the first time in two years.

Cleveland Browns' head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Monday that Sanders will take the helm again in the upcoming game. This opportunity follows his successful 24-10 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he demonstrated significant improvements following a challenging debut.

Stefanski emphasized the essential role of any quarterback—to secure victories for the team. He commended Sanders on his first win and highlighted the importance of continual progress. As young players typically evolve by learning from each game, Sanders is already showcasing that development.

Despite facing difficulties in his initial outing against the Ravens, Sanders rebounded strongly on Sunday. He finished 11 of 20 for 209 yards, marking the third instance this season a Browns quarterback has exceeded 200 yards, underscoring the significance of Sanders’ performance.

Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees crafted a strategic game plan for Sanders, mixing short, secure throws with occasional deep shots. Notably, thirteen of his passes were under 10 yards, fosters rhythm, while he also managed two notable deep passes exceeding 21 yards, including a pivotal 52-yard throw to Isaiah Bond.

In that remarkable play, Sanders maneuvered under pressure from Maxx Crosby, delivering a pinpoint pass as Bond created space from cornerback Darnay Holmes. He also dazzled fans with a 66-yard touchdown connection to Dylan Sampson on a screen pass, contributing to the Browns' longest passing plays of the season.

Sanders made significant strides in evading sacks and managing pressure, an area that had troubled him previously. Against Las Vegas, he faced pressure on eight drop-backs but was sacked only once. Stefanski noted that, for a rookie quarterback making his debut, the operation was both smooth and steady, albeit with areas for growth. He praised Sanders’ adaptability to the NFL's speed.

While Sanders drew significant attention, the Browns defense also shone, yielding a stellar performance with ten sacks on Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith—the second-highest in team history. Myles Garrett bolstered his already remarkable season with three sacks, and eight players contributed to the sack total.

Nonetheless, the team must improve on third downs, as they struggled again, going 3 for 12 against the Raiders. Running back Jerome Ford also faced a diminishing role, tallying only one carry for negative yards.

In terms of injuries, defensive tackle Adin Huntington and tight end Brenden Bates are likely to miss several games. Conversely, linebacker Carson Schwesinger stands out in his rookie year with 89 tackles to date.

Looking ahead, the Browns set their sights on an upcoming home game against San Francisco. Despite a 2-3 record at home this season, they have historically performed well against the 49ers, winning 8 of their last 10 matchups. With Sanders starting once more, fans are optimistic for another triumph and a potential back-to-back win.

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