The Cleveland Browns are gearing up to visit the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday, with fan-favorite quarterback Shedeur Sanders set to make his first NFL career start.
Cleveland is facing the 2-8 Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday, who are in the same struggling boat as the Browns. Both teams are trying to find their identity for the remainder of the season, and the Raiders have some key players who will try to stop the Browns from doing so. Defensive end Maxx Crosby is one star who will be after Shedeur Sanders if he can play through his knee injury. Linebacker Devin White is another; he’s returned to his elite talent in his first season with the Raiders, totaling 54 tackles in 10 games.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDefensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will have to focus on the Raiders' young stars this Sunday, tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty. Bowers is currently 9th among all NFL tight ends with 455 receiving yards. What’s impressive is he did this in just 7 games, averaging 65.0 yards per game along with his 5.6 receptions per game. Jeanty, on the other hand, has had a roller coaster start to his NFL career. He’s had electric performances, such as his 138 rushing yard game against the Bears, followed by a disappointing 7 rushing yards against the Cowboys. No matter what, the Browns will have to focus on them both if they want to stop Las Vegas’s offense.
Take a look at the five Las Vegas Raiders players the Browns will need to focus on in Week 12.
RB Ashton Jeanty
Nov 2, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A general overall view as Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) enters the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesDespite an underwhelming start to his NFL career, running back Ashton Jeanty is one of the most versatile players on the Las Vegas Raiders offense. This season, Jeanty has totaled 554 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns, with an average of 3.7 yards per carry. He’s also collected a less-than-desirable PFF grade, ranking 37th among 54 possible running backs with a 66.4. The Browns' defense will be looking to stop Jeanty in his tracks after giving up 488 rushing yards in their last three contests.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Raiders' star running back has been putting up some roller coaster performances behind the struggling Las Vegas offensive line. We’ve seen him with electric performances like his 138 rushing yards against the Chicago Bears, and his 1.2 yards per carry average with 7 total rushing yards against the Dallas Cowboys. Knowing which Jeanty you are going to face is a puzzle, but the Browns will need to prepare for him as one of the most elite threats on Las Vegas’s offense.
LB Devin White
Sep 7, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) tackles New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn ImagesOne player who has re-emerged in Las Vegas’s struggling season is former second-team All-Pro linebacker Devin White. He currently has 97 total tackles, which ranks 4th among all NFL defensive players. He’s coming off one of his best performances of the season, collecting 10 total tackles in a prime-time loss against the Cowboys. Whit has also managed to collect a 67.4 pass rush PFF grade, ranking 27th among 81 linebackers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDevon White will specifically be an issue for the Cleveland Browns due to the struggles that Cleveland’s running backs have faced lately. Running back Quinshon Judkins and company have been struggling to find space at the second level, a trend that desperately needs to stop if the Browns want to find success on offense again. White has been very effective against the run, and the Browns will be sure to make more of that as they game plan around him this Sunday.
TE Brock Bowers
Sep 7, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) makes a catch against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn ImagesDespite his injuries and lack of stellar stats, tight end Brock Bowers is still the most elite threat on the Raiders' offense. He’s battled injuries for most of 2025, but that hasn’t stopped him from being impactful when he is on the field. Despite having only 455 receiving yards, Bowers is averaging 65 receiving yards per game in his seven matchups. After seeing the impact that Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews left on the Browns in week 11, they’ll be sure to target Bowers early and often this Sunday.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBowers is currently on his best stretch of the 2025 season, collecting 230 yards and three touchdowns in the Raiders' last three games. On a 2-8 offense, the Raiders will certainly not stop using what is one of their only productive outlets. Stopping him will be a critical task for the Browns' secondary and linebackers, but one they will need to accomplish in order to give the team a chance at success.
DE Maxx Crosby
Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) pursues the play against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn ImagesThe Raiders are still waiting to see if defensive end Maxx Crosby will be able to play through his knee injury, but the Browns will prepare for him all the same. Thus far in 2025, Crosby has continued his reputation of being one of the better edge rushers in the NFL. In 10 games, he’s totaled 6.0 sacks and 42 combined tackles. He’s also produced an 81.1 overall PFF grade, ranking 15th among 117 edge rushers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCleveland’s offensive tackle situation has remained healthy as of late, but shaky at best. The team is coming off a solid performance where they only allowed three total sacks, with two of them being caused by Shedeur Sanders' lack of pocket awareness. Hopefully, they will be able to continue building on this performance by shutting down Crosby and the Raiders' defensive pass rush.
QB Geno Smith
Nov 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) scrambles with the ball in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn ImagesThe Raiders' offense has been struggling under veteran quarterback Gino Smith, but there have not been many signs of a change. In his second stint with head coach Pete Carroll, Geno has managed to throw 12 touchdowns along with a league-leading 13 interceptions. He’s tied with Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, whom the Browns intercepted three times in Week 7.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCleveland’s secondary is on a roll in the last two weeks, allowing an average of only 124 passing yards per game in their last two games. After the impressive showing they had against the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, Geno Smith should be no problem for Cleveland’s defense. Hopefully, they don’t lose sight of their goal and stay focused on Geno throughout all four quarters.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Five Las Vegas Raiders players the Browns must shutdown in Week 12
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