Sanders' rookie offense powers Browns past Raiders in Week 12

Matt Sullivan

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Shedeur Sanders leads historic rookie-led Browns offense in Week 12 win vs. Raiders image

TL;DR

  • Cleveland Browns rookies achieved unprecedented offensive output in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
  • Rookies accounted for 100% of passing yards, 100% of rushing yards, and 75% of receiving yards.
  • Shedeur Sanders, Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Harold Fannin Jr., and Isiah Bond were key offensive contributors.
  • This historic rookie production marks the first such instance in a single game since the 1970 NFL merger.

In Week 12, the Cleveland Browns faced the Las Vegas Raiders, marking rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders' debut as a starting player in the NFL. He was joined by several other rookies, and together they delivered an outstanding performance.

Cleveland's offense scored an impressive 24 points, largely thanks to the contributions of their rookie players. Sanders, alongside fellow rookies Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Harold Fannin Jr., and Isiah Bond, all played significant roles in the team's scoring effort.

According to Ben Solak of ESPN, the Browns' rookies achieved unprecedented offensive output in Week 12, marking the first instance of such rookie production in a single game since the NFL merger in 1970.

Sanders guides Browns rookies to historic offensive showing

"Against the Raiders, Browns rookies accounted for... 100% of the team's passing yards, 100% of the team's rushing yards (technically 114%), and 75% of the team's receiving yards," Solak notes. "According to Elias Sports, this has only happened in one other game since the 1970 merger."

Sanders accounted for all 209 of the Browns' passing yards. Rushing yards present a different picture, as Judkins gained 47 yards on 16 carries (scoring two touchdowns), Sampson accumulated 23 yards on seven carries, and Fannin added 4 yards on the ground.

Although non-rookies Jerome Ford and Malachi Corley each had rushing attempts, they both ended up with negative yardage, with Ford at -3 and Corley at -6. Considering Sanders' kneel-down, the rookies accounted for 73 rushing yards out of the Browns' 64 total.

More: Shannon Sharpe blasts Browns for Shedeur Sanders' decision amid NFL debut

In the receiving game, Sampson snagged two passes totaling 59 yards, Bond secured two catches for 58 yards, and Fannin hauled in four passes covering 40 yards. Jerry Jeudy recorded one reception for 39 yards, Cedric Tillman had a single catch for five yards, and Corley made one reception for eight yards.

In Week 12, just 52 of the Browns' receiving yards were generated by players who aren't rookies. This isn't just a noteworthy fact; it's a positive indicator for the team's future.

It's year one, but the Browns' 2025 rookie class is looking like an incredible one. Fannin, Sampson, Judkins, Bond, and Sanders are promising. And that's only the offense, and not including Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite Carson Schwesinger and top-five pick Mason Graham.

Sanders and the Browns' offensive rookies made some NFL history, joining one other team with such a potent rookie-led offense. The production from the Browns' rookies is a very encouraging sign for the future of the franchise.

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