From the start of the game, the Cleveland Browns had a dominant performance against the Las Vegas Raiders to secure their third victory of the 2025 season.
Cleveland took the field last Sunday with their 42nd starting quarterback since 1999, fan-favorite rookie Shedeur Sanders. The Browns' offense appeared to have a breath of fresh air almost immediately, scoring 14 points in the first quarter against the Raiders' defense. Sanders had a day full of exciting downfield throws, some learning moments, and the first Browns victory by a rookie quarterback since 1999. He finished the game completing 11 of his 20 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The Browns' rookie running backs also had a productive day, with Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson combining for 129 yards and three total touchdowns. This is only the second time that Cleveland has scored 24 or more points in a game this season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Browns' defense had another phenomenal showing this week against the Las Vegas Raiders. The only difference is, they earned a well-deserved victory at the end of the day. Rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger led the Browns in tackles once again vs. the Raiders, collecting 11 total with one tackle for loss. Starting cornerback Tyson Campbell also had one of his most productive days in a Browns uniform, collecting 10 total tackles as well as two pass deflections. Cleveland's defensive line sacked Geno Smith 8 total times, with other defenders chipping in to have 10 total team sacks. The best edge rusher in the NFL, Myles Garrett, also had another insanely productive day. He collected 3 sacks that included 6 hits on the quarterback and 5 total tackles. Garrett has now collected 13.0 sacks in 4 games, continuing to push his way towards another Defensive Player of the Year award.
Let's dive deeper into the Browns' position group performances during their Week 12 victory over the Raiders:
Quarterback: B
Nov 23, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesBrowns fans got almost everything they could've asked for in Shedeur Sanders' first NFL career start. He had plenty of electric throws that displayed his possible talents in the future, and also some that were expected in his learning process. He ended with 209 passing yards and 1 touchdown pass along with one interception. He was only able to throw 20 pass attempts, but it was enough to keep Browns fans excited for the possible development of not only Sanders but the Browns offense.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBrowns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Shedeur would be starting in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers, a now exciting upcoming home game. This was especially noticeable given that fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel is now out of the concussion protocol. It appears for now, the starting job belongs to Sanders. We’ll see how he performs next week against a much more skilled San Francisco 49ers defense, but with the pressure of a home crowd at his back as well.
Running back: A
Nov 23, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (22) carries the ball on a 66-yard touchdown reception against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesCleveland's rookie running backs had a stellar performance against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12. Quinshon Judkins led the way with his 47 rushing yards on 16 attempts, also collecting two rushing touchdowns. Dylan Sampson also added on 23 rushing yards, but his highlight play was his 66 yard touchdown reception on a screen pass in the fourth quarter. Together, they managed to be most of the production from the Browns offense in Week 12.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Browns rookies have been very productive from day 1, especially the running backs. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders allowed for some running room to open when he was able to unleash the ball downfield. While Judkins is expected to remain the lead back, Sampson’s electric display in just a few touches shows that he can be a key playmaker in the Browns offense. We’ll see how both running backs are able to do against the San Francisco 49ers next week.
Wide receivers/tight ends: B-
Nov 23, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) makes a catch against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesCleveland's wide receivers and tight ends did not see a lot of targets in this matchup, but the ones that did come their way were a huge improvement from what they've seen in prior games to Week 12. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was able to find receivers down field that we haven’t seen in previous weeks from Browns gunslingers. Besides Dylan Sampsons long touchdown, rookie wide receiver Isaiah Bond led the team in receiving with two catches for 58 yards.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlong with the other stellar rookie performances, tight end Harold Fannin Jr had an impressive day with four catches for 40 yards. It was a relief to see some action from the Browns passing game, and hopefully it can continue against a struggling San Francisco 49ers passing game. It will be a challenge for the entire passing offense, who will not be facing a struggling Las Vegas Raiders team. We’ll see how they perform this Sunday when they’re back at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive line: C
Nov 23, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Helmets at the line of scrimmage as Cleveland Browns long snapper Rex Sunahara (50 snaps the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesThe Browns' offensive line had a semi-productive day keeping the Raiders away from Shedeur Sanders, but still struggled to find an extra push for the running backs. Sanders was only sacked one time against the Raiders, who had star defensive end Maxx Crosby on the other side of the ball. Still, they managed to have two rising touchdowns while keeping a mostly clean pocket for their new rookie quarterback. While Cleveland’s offensive line hasn’t been at the top of the leagues performances, they’ve managed a consistent pace the team is able to work with. Especially when comparing to the Las Vegas Raiders, who gave up 10 sacks to the Browns defensive line.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 49ers defense will be an interesting challenge for the Browns offensive line, especially since they’ll be without star linebacker Fred Warner Jr. While he isn’t all of their defensive talent, his absence will help with their struggles to get running back Quinshon Judkins past the second defensive level. Against the Raiders, he managed to average only 2.9 yards per carry on 16 attempts. If they can manage to provide similar protection for Sanders while improving on the rushing attacks yards per carry, it should be another productive day for the Browns offense.
Defensive line: A+
Nov 23, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) is sacked by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) as defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) looks make a tackle on the play during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn ImagesThe Browns' defensive line continues to prove that it's one of the best units in the NFL. In Week 12, this position group collected a team season high 8.5 sacks on Raiders quarterback Geno Smith. They also stopped running back Ashton Jeanty in his tracks with only 50 rushing yards for 2.9 yards per carry and zero touchdowns. Along with Myles Garrett’s 3 sack performance, defensive tackles Maleik Collins and Mason Graham also had very impressive days. Collins collected 2.5 sacks on the day, while Graham managed to have five total tackles that included one for loss and a pass deflection.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLinebackers: A
It was another dominant performance for the Browns' top linebackers, who have put together one of the most consistent seasons in recent memory from this group. Rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger led the team in tackles once again with 11 total, continuing to the lead the way in defensive rookie of the year conversations. Continuing his impressive year was linebacker Devon Bush, who has been a force for the Browns defense. He collected 9 total tackles and a sack in this matchup. As we’ve said before, they join the defensive line as being the most consistent performers on the Browns this season.
These two linebackers will have one of their biggest challenges of the season coming up, trying to stop Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers running back is on another level this season, collecting 1,581 total yards and continuing to be the heart of the 49ers offense. This also includes 785 receiving yards, which leads all NFL running backs. Stopping him will be the main challenge for the Browns defense, and Carson Schwesinger, Devon Bush, and company will need to be elite in order to shut McCaffrey down.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Tre Tucker #1 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs the ball against Carson Schwesinger #49 of the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)Secondary: B
Nov 23, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesWith some help from the Browns' defensive line, Cleveland's secondary was able to limit the Raiders' passing attack during the Week 12 matchup.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns Report Card: Grading the positions in win vs. the Raiders
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