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Shedeur Sanders sends strong message to critics after winning first NFL start

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones9 hours agobrianjones_93
Shedeur Sanders (5)
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Shedeur Sanders had a strong message for his critics after leading the Cleveland Browns to a 24-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. While speaking to reporters, Sanders said he will not fail after winning his first NFL start.

“A lot of people want to see me fail, and that ain’t going to happen,” Shedeur Sanders said. “It ain’t going to happen.”

Sanders had a solid performance in the victory, completing 11-of-20 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception with an 87.3 passer rating. His TD pass came in the fourth quarter when he threw a 66-yard strike to running back Dylan Sampson to give the Browns a 24-3 lead.

Sanders got the start because Dillon Gabriel is in concussion protocol. The Browns selected Sanders in the fifth round of this year’s draft, and it was a surprise considering he was projected to be a first-round pick.

Gabriel, who was selected by the Browns in the third round this year, posted a 1-4 record in his first five games. It remains to be seen if Sanders will continue to start once Gabriel is out of concussion protocol.

Will Shedeur Sanders continue to be the Browns’ starting QB?

While this was Sanders’ first NFL start, this wasn’t his debut in the league. Last week, the former Colorado star took over for an injured Gabriel and completed 4-of-16 passes for 47 yards and an interception in the Brown’s 23-16 defeat against the Baltimore Ravens.

“I don’t think I played good at all. I think it’s a lot of things we need to look at during the week and go and just get comfortable,” Sanders said. “Even throwing routes with Jerry [Jeudy] and throwing routes with all those guys. So, I think that was my first ball to him all year. But other than that, I just think overall we just got to go next week and understand, so then we have a week to prepare stuff I like to do.”

“Playing a backup quarterback role, that’s tough to come in there,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said after last week’s game. “But we trust him. I know there are things that he’s going to want to better. But that’s why we work.”