The Cleveland Browns take on the Las Vegas Raiders this afternoon in a game that will see rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders make his first NFL start.
After an offseason filled with draft conspiracies,
a preseason bookended by a solid performance against backups and a horrendous one against even more backups, and 11 weeks of questions about when the Browns will “see what they have” with Sanders, the big day has finally arrived.
Shortly after 4:05 p.m., Sanders will take the field for Cleveland’s first offensive series in a situation that could not be set up more perfectly:
- A full week of precious practice reps with the first-team offense? Check!
- A game plan designed exclusively for his skill set? Check!
- An opposing defense ranked 26th out of 32 teams in pressure rate? Check!
- An opposing defense ranked 26th out of 32 teams in sack rate? Check!
- An opposing defense ranked 23rd out of 32 teams in EPA per play allowed? Check!
- An opposing defense allowing 107.3 rushing yards per game? Check!
- An opposing defense that has allowed 30 or more points in three of the past four games? Check!
The time for production to replace excuses arrives this afternoon for Sanders and the offense. Given everything that has been said and written about Sanders over the past seven months, it should be an easy afternoon for the rookie.
Be sure to stay with Dawgs By Nature throughout the day as we will have the full list of inactives for the game, quarter-by-quarter game threads, and full post-game coverage of what is sure to be one of the most talked-about afternoons of Browns football in a very long time.
Dawgs By Nature:
- Shedeur Sanders treating first start like a ‘final exam he can’t fail’ (Thomas Moore) – Cleveland’s rookie QB is embracing the opportunity to “rewrite the narrative” on Sunday.
- Shedeur Sanders has little chance of changing Browns 2026 NFL draft plans (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns are starting Shedeur Sanders in Week 12, but this could be his only start as the 2026 NFL draft, Dillon Gabriel’s return looms.
- What are you hoping to see from Browns QB Shedeur Sanders against the Raiders? (Abby Mueller) – With Shedeur Sanders taking his first start in Week 12, the Cleveland Browns will be looking to see improvement in a few key areas.
- 5 quick hitters with Silver and Black Pride: Can Shedeur Sanders snap Cleveland’s losing streak? (Chris Pokorny) – We ask about the Las Vegas Raiders and how frustrated fans are with Pete Carroll and Geno Smith.
- Browns have a new QB2 for game against the Raiders (Thomas Moore) – With Dillon Gabriel out with a concussion, and Shedeur Sanders to start, Cleveland elevates Bailey Zappe to QB2 role
- Browns 2025 NFL draft: Mason Graham is proving his worth (Curtiss Brown) – Cleveland Browns rookie DT Mason Graham is showing a ton of reasons he was the 5th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
- Browns pursuit of WR Brandon Aiyuk could begin again next offseason as drama unfolds (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns have been rumored to be interested in Brandon Aiyuk in the past. Now, with the 49ers likely moving on, would there be interest again?
- Among struggling teams, Cleveland has a lot of hope (Curtiss Brown) – The Cleveland Browns are struggling, but the future is bright compared to others at the top of the 2026 NFL draft order.
- Browns Shedeur Sanders debut gives team something to build on for Raiders, Week 12 (Curtiss Brown) – Shedeur Sanders’ first NFL action wasn’t good, but it gives the Cleveland Browns something to build on for Week 12 vs. the Raiders.
- Browns vs. Raiders: 5 memorable games (Thomas Moore) – Cleveland has been playing the Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders since 1970. Here are 5 memorable games in the series.
Cleveland Browns:
- Myles Garrett sacking QBs, dropping records during torrid spree that has awed teammates, coaches, and opponents (Browns Zone) – Every time Myles Garrett gets his hands on another exposed quarterback, he invariably drops a personal or team record in the process. This season, he’s doing it in bunches.
- Browns vs. Raiders pits top rookies in Quinshon Judkins, Ashton Jeanty (Beacon Journal) – For all the attention that Shedeur Sanders will command in the game, there are two other rookies in the game whose impact has already been felt over multiple games. And they could play a major role in how the game turns out, almost as much as Sanders.
- How Deshaun Watson will help Shedeur Sanders on the sideline vs. the Raiders in his first road trip of the season (cleveland.com) – Deshaun Watson will make his first road trip of the season and be on the sideline helping Shedeur Sanders in his NFL starting debut here against the Raiders, a league source tells cleveland.com.
- “If it’s gonna work this season, this is the week:” Browns give Shedeur Sanders crash course in QB1 prep (CBS Sports) – The game of the year is upon as Shedeur Sanders takes the field for the first time as a starter in the NFL Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, who share a 2-8 record with the Cleveland Browns.
- Ross Tucker discusses the perils of saying anything about Shedeur Sanders (Awful Announcing) – Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns this weekend, and it’s unclear if that will make the online discourse around him better or worse. Just ask Ross Tucker, who explained just how out of whack the conversation surrounding the rookie quarterback has been for a long time.
NFL:
- Caleb Williams, Dak Prescott among top QBs in 2-minute drill (ESPN) – The two-minute drill is often a litmus test for quarterbacks, revealing who performs at their peak when the clock tightens at the end of each half.
- Bo Nix-Sean Payton connection will answer biggest question: Are Broncos a Super Bowl team? (The Denver Post) – Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix found traction in the second half against the Kanas City Chiefs. As Denver chases its first AFC West title since 2015, focus will remain on building off that blueprint.
- Bucs running back Bucky Irving’s struggles were more than physical (Tampa Bay Times) – Bucky Irving struggled with being hurt and not on the field with his team for the first time in his career and didn’t “handle it well,” coach Todd Bowles said Friday. That reality hit the Bucs running back harder than any defender has.
