On a chilly Sunday afternoon at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio, Malcolm Koonce didn’t just make a play—he made a statement. The Las Vegas Raiders defensive end dropped Shedeur Sanders, the rookie quarterback making his first NFL start, for a 3-yard sack on second down in the second quarter. It was a moment that instantly went viral: a veteran pass rusher welcoming a son of legend to the league with a textbook takedown. The play happened during NFL Week 12 Cleveland, where the Cleveland Browns held on for a 24-17 win over the Raiders, marking Sanders’ first career victory—and Koonce’s most talked-about sack of the season.
Debut Under Pressure
Shedeur Sanders, 23, entered the game as the first starting quarterback from Jackson State University to begin an NFL season since 2007. His father, Deion Sanders, the Hall of Fame cornerback and current head coach at the University of Colorado, watched from the stands, a quiet but proud presence. The weight of expectation was immense—not just because of his lineage, but because the Browns had traded away their longtime starter, and Sanders was now the face of their future. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 187 yards and one interception. Not dazzling, but steady. And when the defense gave him breathing room, he delivered.
That’s where Koonce came in. On that second-and-8 play, Sanders dropped back, hesitated just a half-step too long, and Koonce exploded off the edge like a sprinter out of the blocks. No fancy move. Just pure speed and timing. The sack forced a punt, but more importantly, it sent a message: the NFL isn’t college. The speed, the physicality, the precision—it’s all amplified. "He’s got the tools," said Raiders defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after the game. "But this? This is what separates the good from the great. You don’t get a do-over in Week 12."
The Defense That Carried the Day
While Sanders was learning on the job, the Browns’ defense was doing everything right. Led by Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett, Cleveland’s front seven applied relentless pressure throughout the game. Garrett recorded 2.5 sacks himself, and the team totaled seven quarterback hits. The Raiders, who entered the game with the league’s 29th-ranked pass rush, managed just one sack—Koonce’s—and allowed 4.8 yards per play. "They didn’t just beat us," said Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell. "They outworked us. Every snap. Every play."
The Browns’ offense, meanwhile, leaned on rookie running back Jerome Ford, who rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown, and kicker Cade York, who nailed four field goals. But the story was defense. As Dawgs By Nature put it in their postgame analysis: "Sanders didn’t win this game. The defense did. And now, he gets to play with confidence, not fear."
What This Means for the Raiders
The loss dropped the Las Vegas Raiders to 2-9 on the season—their worst record since 2018. Their offense has been a mess, averaging just 16.3 points per game. Their offensive line has allowed 34 sacks, the third-highest in the NFL. And their defensive front, once a strength, now looks disjointed. Koonce, drafted in the third round in 2021 out of Buffalo, has been one of the few bright spots. His 5.5 sacks this season are a career high. But even his best efforts couldn’t offset the team’s overall collapse.
"We’re not playing like a team that wants to win," said head coach Antonio Pierce in his postgame presser. "We’re playing like a team waiting for someone else to fix it."
A New Era in Cleveland
For the Browns, this win was more than just a record improvement—it was symbolic. Sanders became the first quarterback since Brian Hoyer in 2013 to win his first career start. More than that, he’s the first son of a Pro Football Hall of Famer to start and win in his NFL debut since 1985. The crowd at Huntington Bank Field, once skeptical, rose to its feet on the final drive as Sanders led a methodical 12-play, 78-yard touchdown march capped by a 14-yard pass to Amari Cooper.
"I didn’t come here to be a story," Sanders said afterward, his voice calm despite the chaos around him. "I came here to play. And if I can help this team win, then I’m doing my job."
What’s Next?
The Browns (now 7-5) face the Baltimore Ravens next week in a divisional showdown that could determine playoff positioning. Sanders will be under even greater scrutiny. Meanwhile, the Raiders head into their bye week at 2-9, with trade rumors swirling about their quarterback situation and rumors of front-office shakeups. Koonce, meanwhile, remains a bright spot. His sack of Sanders wasn’t just a highlight—it was a signpost. The NFL doesn’t care who your dad is. It cares who you are on Sunday.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is Shedeur Sanders’ first win as a starter?
It’s historically rare. Since 1970, only 12 quarterbacks have won their first NFL start as rookies, and just two were sons of Hall of Famers. Sanders joins an elite group that includes Joe Burrow and Kyler Murray, but his path—coming from an HBCU (Jackson State) and under the shadow of his father’s legacy—makes his debut uniquely symbolic for the NFL’s evolving landscape.
Why did Malcolm Koonce’s sack go viral?
The sack wasn’t just a play—it was a narrative. Koonce, a quiet, hard-working third-round pick, delivered a textbook takedown on the son of Deion Sanders during his debut. The moment was framed as "welcome to the NFL," and the video clip, viewed over 144,000 times on YouTube, captured the raw emotion of transition from college to pro football. Analysts like Skip Bayless called it "the passing of the torch, with a tackle."
What impact did this game have on the Raiders’ season?
The loss dropped the Raiders to 2-9, effectively ending any playoff hopes for 2025. Their offense ranks 30th in the league, and their defense has collapsed in the second half of games. With three games left, the focus has shifted to evaluating young players and preparing for the 2026 draft, where they hold the 12th overall pick. Koonce’s performance may be one of the few positives they can build on.
Is Shedeur Sanders the Browns’ long-term solution at quarterback?
It’s too early to say definitively, but the Browns are clearly betting on him. They traded away Deshaun Watson last offseason and have invested in his development. His poise under pressure, quick decision-making, and leadership in the huddle impressed coaches. If he can reduce turnovers and improve his deep-ball accuracy, he could be their answer for the next five years.
How does this game compare to other rookie QB debuts?
Sanders’ debut mirrors Joe Burrow’s 2020 win against the Chargers—he didn’t put up big numbers, but he managed the game, avoided mistakes, and led a winning drive. Unlike Justin Herbert’s explosive 2020 debut, Sanders didn’t need fireworks. He needed stability. And in a 24-17 win against a struggling defense, that’s exactly what he delivered.
What’s next for Malcolm Koonce after this sack?
Koonce’s sack of Sanders may be his most memorable moment so far, but his season has been quietly impressive. With 5.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss, he’s on pace for a career year. If he keeps this up, he could earn a contract extension before the 2026 season. Teams are already watching his technique—especially his ability to beat tackles with speed rather than strength.