The Cleveland Browns are preparing to face off against the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday in what promises to be a pivotal matchup for both struggling teams. The Browns will be relying heavily on fan-favorite quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who is set to make his first NFL career start, a significant moment for both the player and the franchise. Meanwhile, the Raiders, sitting at a 2-8 record, are also searching for consistency and identity as they try to salvage their season. Both teams have shown flashes of potential but have largely struggled to find sustained success, making this Week 12 game a crucial test.
The Raiders come into the game with several key players who pose a serious threat to the Browns’ chances of winning. Defensive end Maxx Crosby and linebacker Devin White are two defensive stalwarts that the Browns will have to contend with, especially given Crosby's ongoing knee injury. Crosby has been a force on the edge, compiling 6 sacks and 42 tackles over 10 games this season, earning a strong PFF grade that ranks him among the top edge rushers in the NFL. His presence alone demands attention from the Browns’ offensive line, which has been somewhat shaky but showed promise in recent games by limiting sacks. Keeping Crosby in check will be vital for the Browns to protect Shedeur Sanders and give their young quarterback time to make plays.
Linebacker Devin White has also reasserted himself as one of the league’s premier defenders despite the Raiders’ overall struggles. With 97 tackles, White ranks fourth in the NFL in total tackles this season. He recently put on one of his best performances with 10 tackles in a high-profile game against the Dallas Cowboys. White’s ability to stop the run and disrupt offensive plays will be a direct challenge for the Browns, who have had trouble establishing a consistent running game lately. Running backs like Quinshon Judkins have struggled to find space, especially at the second level, and White’s dominance in this area could continue to stifle the Browns’ ground attack.
On the offensive side, the Raiders have a couple of young playmakers that the Browns’ defense must prioritize. Tight end Brock Bowers has emerged as a standout, despite battling injuries throughout the season. Bowers ranks ninth among NFL tight ends with 455 receiving yards in just seven games, averaging an impressive 65 yards and over five receptions per game. He is currently in the midst of his best stretch of the season, having amassed 230 yards and three touchdowns over the Raiders’ last three games. His ability to consistently gain yards and find the end zone makes him a crucial weapon for Las Vegas, especially on an otherwise struggling offense. After witnessing the impact of tight end Mark Andrews against the Browns last week, Cleveland’s defense will likely focus on containing Bowers early and often to prevent him from dominating the game.
Running back Ashton Jeanty is another key offensive player for the Raiders. Although his performances have been inconsistent, Jeanty has shown flashes of brilliance, including a standout 138-yard rushing game against the Chicago Bears. However, his production has also dipped sharply at times, such as a disappointing seven-yard outing against the Dallas Cowboys. Despite these ups and downs, Jeanty remains a versatile threat with 554 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the season, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. His PFF grade sits in the lower half among running backs, but the Browns cannot afford to overlook him, especially considering they have allowed nearly 500 rushing yards over their last three games. The Browns’ defense will need to be prepared for whatever version of Jeanty shows up on Sunday.
The Browns’ defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, faces a challenging task in game-planning for the Raiders’ young stars. Containing Bowers and Jeanty will be critical if Cleveland hopes to slow down Las Vegas’s offense. Moreover, the Browns must remain vigilant against the Raiders’ veteran quarterback Geno Smith, who has struggled with turnovers this year, throwing a league-leading 13 interceptions alongside 12 touchdowns. Although Geno’s performance has been uneven, the Browns’ secondary has been playing exceptionally well recently, allowing just 124 passing yards per game over their last two contests. After an impressive showing against the Baltimore Ravens last week, the secondary will look to capitalize on Geno’s turnover tendencies and continue their strong defensive play.
Shedeur Sanders making his first NFL start adds an intriguing dimension to this game for the Browns. His performance will undoubtedly be under the microscope,