Playoff talk ceased weeks ago and the Browns and Raiders roll into their Week 12 intersection with matching 2-8 records, zero combined division wins and a cumulative touchdown deficit of minus-21.
Next year is here early for the AFC bottom-feeders, but Cleveland hit a dash of spice into the Sunday date with rookie fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders booked for his first NFL start.
“I know our fans have a lot of expectations and hope,” Sanders said. “And I would be doing a disservice to myself and a disservice to the organization if I didn’t feel like I am the guy. I did everything I need to. I’m doing everything I need to prepare to be the best version of myself as possible.
“With the circumstances, everything got to be sped up and that’s great. I like pressure in life. I’m just excited for everything. So, I feel like I’m the guy. I know I’m the guy, but you just have to be able to see.”
Outscored by 98 points this season, the Raiders are at a familiar mid-November mile marker with two wins for the third time in four years. Since upsetting the Patriots in Week 1, the Raiders’ lone victory is against the NFL’s only one-win team, the Tennessee Titans. Las Vegas lost its fourth consecutive game Monday night, when Dak Prescott threw four TD passes and the Cowboys racked up 33 points.
Quarterback Geno Smith guided only one touchdown drive in consecutive games and the Raiders were 7 for 27 on third down in defeats at Denver and Monday against the Cowboys. Interior pressure in Smith’s mug was a repeat occurrence with first-time starter Will Putnam at center last week trying to contend with All-Pro Quinnen Williams.
The disruptions all but eliminated rookie running back Ashton Jeanty’s work; he finished with seven yards on six carries.
Raiders coach Pete Carroll said he’s fully in Smith’s corner as Aidan O’Connell is activated from injured reserve. Carroll’s biggest concern Sunday isn’t Sanders, but another All-Pro defender capable of denting Smith’s facemask, Myles Garrett. Garrett has 15 of the Browns’ 32 sacks this season.
With the Raiders shuffling offensive linemen and likely keeping former starting center Jordan Meredith at right guard this week, a renewed focus falls on left tackle Stone Forsythe and DJ Glaze. The Raiders gave up 10 total sacks in the past two games.
“We’re really trying to take advantage of the checkdowns and get the ball to Ashton,” Carroll said of Smith focusing on a rapid release. “But I continue to really believe in (Smith). I have no hesitation in telling you that. He’s an incredible player, and he’s busting his tail, and he’s working really hard at it. He has not backed off one step throughout the process, and so we’re counting on that he’s going to keep working it, and he’ll come through for us.”
Turnovers are hurting the Raiders, Carroll admits. Smith is tied for the NFL lead with 13 interceptions (Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins) and is 25th among full-time starters in quarterback rating (80.9).
Because both franchises are still in the running for one of the top draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the door remains ajar for a new quarterback to enter the picture by next season.
Many tries to identify “the guy” in Cleveland haven’t panned out. This marks the third season in a row the Browns will use at least three starting quarterbacks. Sanders is No. 42 on the list of players anointed QB1 by the franchise since returning to the league in 1999. No rookie making his debut start has won during that stretch, but Eric Zeier did it in 1995 with the original Cleveland team. He passed for 310 yards and a touchdown in the Browns’ 29-26 win Oct. 30 of that season.
Rookie Dillon Gabriel was in concussion protocol to begin the work week. Sanders replaced him in the Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, who blitzed the daylights out of the Browns and escaped with a 23-16 victory. Gabriel started five games, replacing Joe Flacco — who was since traded to the Bengals — starting with the Oct. 12 loss in London, but won just once.
The son of Hall of Fame cornerback and current Colorado coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders was afforded every rep with starters in Wednesday’s practice for the first time this season. He started the second half against Baltimore, completing 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and threw an interception. He was sacked twice.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski knows the circumstances aren’t ideal, but wouldn’t confirm Cleveland had planned to give Sanders a “redshirt” year as a rookie. That option went out the window with Gabriel’s injury and the Flacco trade. GM Andrew Berry traded Kenny Pickett to the Raiders before the season began.
Now after semi-formal introductions were made in the huddle to offensive line starters last week, Sanders tries to sprint through preparation for his first start on Sunday.
If he aces this test, will the Browns extend Sanders’ audition to prove he’s “the guy?”
“I’m obviously focused on this game,” Stefanski said.
