Fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders had a difficult NFL debut in the Cleveland Browns' 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Entering at halftime after starter Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion, Sanders completed 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and an interception. The Browns were outscored 13-0 in the second half against a Ravens defense on a four-game winning streak.
Shedeur Sanders' entry into the NFL came under tough circumstances during the Browns' Week 11 matchup against the Ravens. With the Browns trailing 16-10 at halftime, Sanders replaced Gabriel, who was sidelined by a concussion. The rookie faced relentless pressure from Baltimore's defense, which leads the NFL in efficiency during its current four-game win streak.
Sanders completed just 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards, including an interception thrown to Nate Wiggins while targeting Jerry Jeudy, which appeared to stem from a miscommunication. His performance marked one of the worst quarterback debuts in recent history: he posted a -0.80 EPA per play, the lowest since Ian Book in 2021; averaged 1.7 yards per dropback, fewest since Ryan Lindley in 2012; and had a 25% completion rate, the lowest in 41 years.
The Ravens blitzed Sanders on eight of his 21 dropbacks, resulting in -27 total yards for the Browns—the fewest in any half this season when blitzed. Sanders went 0-for-6 against the blitz, missing opportunities like a wide-open David Njoku on a third-and-long and an out route to Jeudy that could have extended a drive. Kyle Hamilton contributed with a sack and a dropped interception.
Brutal conditions compounded the challenges: 20 mph winds made it the windiest game of the season, and it was Sanders' first snaps with the starting offense since being drafted in the fifth round. He showed some mobility, escaping a sack on the final drive, but couldn't connect with Isaiah Bond in the end zone.
Reflecting post-game, Sanders said, '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 even throwing routes with Jerry (Jeudy) and throwing routes with all those guys.'
Coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the lack of prior first-team reps. Despite the struggles, Sanders is expected to make his first career start in Week 12 against the Raiders, with more preparation time to build chemistry with weapons like Jeudy and Njoku. The Browns, who rank last in target separation, passed 75% of the time with Sanders in, offering little easing into action.