The Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders are set to meet on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada — a game that feels less like a regular-season matchup and more like a survival test. Both teams sit at 2-8, tied for the worst records in the AFC, and neither can afford another loss if they hope to keep any shred of playoff relevance alive. The stakes? Beyond pride: draft positioning, coaching futures, and the fragile confidence of a rookie quarterback stepping into the spotlight.
Two Teams, Two Desperate Paths
The Browns have lost three straight, including a gut-wrenching 24-21 defeat to the Jets last week — a game they led with under two minutes left. Meanwhile, the Raiders are reeling from four consecutive losses, their offense sputtering at a league-worst 15.5 points per game. It’s not just the record that’s alarming; it’s the pattern. The Browns’ defense, once a strength, has shown cracks in the second half of games. The Raiders’ offensive line? A sieve. And their quarterback, Geno Smith, has thrown 13 interceptions this season — more than any other starter in the NFL.
Enter Shedeur Sanders. The rookie out of Colorado, drafted in the second round, will make his first NFL start after being thrust into the role following an injury to Deshaun Watson. Sanders showed flashes of brilliance in limited action against Baltimore — a 42-yard scramble, a dart to Amari Cooper — but also three sacks and a fumble. He’s raw, but he’s fearless. And for the first time, he’ll have a full week of practice with the starters. That matters.
Maxx Crosby: The Shadow Over Cleveland
On the other side of the ball, the Browns’ offense will be staring down Maxx Crosby, the Raiders’ four-time Pro Bowler and the most feared pass rusher in the league this year. With 65.5 career sacks and six more this season, Crosby doesn’t just pressure quarterbacks — he breaks them. He’s played 94% of defensive snaps this year. He’s forced 11 fumbles. He’s defensed 29 passes. And he doesn’t rest. Not even for a breath.
"He’s the face of this franchise," said BrownsZone.com’s analysis. "The Browns’ offensive line has struggled with speed rushers all season. If Crosby gets a clean path, Sanders won’t have time to think — let alone throw."
Conflicting Predictions, Common Themes
The OBR Roundtable — a group of analysts from Ohio Browns Report — offered four wildly different predictions, yet all shared the same underlying tension:
- Browns 27, Raiders 10: "The Browns’ defense should annihilate the Raiders’ offense… unless Brock Bowers kills them."
- Raiders 17, Browns 13: "I still pick the Browns. Their defense is better than their record. Sanders just needs to avoid mistakes."
- Browns 21, Raiders 14: "They’ll look exciting — until they don’t. Sacks, turnovers, bad field position. The Raiders win because they’re desperate."
- Raiders 21, Browns 19: "A timely turnover by Cleveland makes the difference. Sanders has the talent — but can he handle the pressure?"
BrownsZone.com went with Browns 16, Raiders 10, betting on defense to carry the day. "Sanders doesn’t need to light it up," the analysis read. "Just make a couple of big plays. That’s enough."
What the Numbers Don’t Tell You
Statistically, the Raiders rank 30th in scoring, 30th in rushing, and 24th in points allowed. The Browns? 21st in offense, 11th in defense — but only if you ignore their late-game collapses. The over/under is set at 36.5 points, which feels generous. Both teams have averaged under 20 points per game in their last five contests combined.
And then there’s the weather. Forecasters in Las Vegas are calling for a high of 62°F and 15 mph winds — not brutal, but enough to make a rookie’s deep balls wobble and a field goal attempt risky after 4 p.m. ET. The game kicks off at 4:05 p.m. local time, meaning sunset will be just minutes away. The shadows grow long. So do the odds against both teams.
Why This Game Matters Beyond the Record
This isn’t just about winning or losing. It’s about identity. For the Browns, can they prove their defense — led by Myles Garrett and Grant Delpit — is still elite, even without a dynamic offense? Delpit said it plainly: "We know they’ll try to run. We have to stop it."
For the Raiders, it’s about whether they can find any offensive rhythm before the season spirals into complete irrelevance. Geno Smith’s 13 interceptions aren’t just bad luck — they’re a system failure. And with head coach Josh McDaniels reportedly on the hot seat, this game could be his last stand.
And for Shedeur Sanders? This is his audition. Not just for the Browns, but for every scout in the league watching. He’s got the arm. He’s got the swagger. But can he handle the weight of being the guy — in a hostile stadium, against a monster like Crosby — when everyone expects him to fail?
What’s Next?
If the Browns win, they’ll be 3-8 — still out of contention, but alive. A win would spark belief in the locker room and give new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt something to build on. If they lose? The talk of a coaching change will become deafening.
For the Raiders, a win snaps their four-game skid and keeps them mathematically alive. A loss? They’ll be looking at the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft — and the possibility of drafting another quarterback, perhaps one who doesn’t throw 13 picks in 11 games.
Behind the Scenes: The Draft Implications
The 2026 NFL Draft order hangs over this game like a storm cloud. The team with the worst record gets the first pick. Right now, the Browns and Raiders are tied. A loss by either team could mean the other gets the top selection — a chance to draft a franchise quarterback like Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels. That’s not just a draft pick. It’s a generational shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Shedeur Sanders starting instead of Deshaun Watson?
Deshaun Watson is sidelined with a shoulder injury sustained in Week 11 against the Jets. Though Watson had been inconsistent, he was still the starter. Sanders, a second-round pick from Colorado, was named the starter after showing promise in limited snaps against Baltimore. This is his first full week of practice with the starters, giving him a rare opportunity to build rhythm.
How has Maxx Crosby performed this season compared to past years?
Crosby is on pace for 13.5 sacks this season — his highest since 2022. He’s playing 94% of defensive snaps, up from 88% last year, and has already matched his career-high in forced fumbles (11). His pass-rush win rate is 27%, the highest among all edge defenders in the NFL. Opposing teams are double-teaming him on 60% of snaps — and he’s still getting to the quarterback.
What are the odds of the Browns covering the 3.5-point spread?
The Raiders are favored by 3.5 points with -104 odds, while the Browns are +3.5 at -128. Historically, teams with 2-8 records covering the spread against other 2-8 teams is a coin flip. But when one team has a rookie QB and the other has a veteran QB with 13 interceptions, the underdog often covers. The Browns’ defense has held opponents under 20 points in 6 of their 10 games — suggesting they can keep it close.
Could this game impact Kevin Stefanski’s job security?
Yes. Stefanski, the Browns’ head coach since 2020, is in his sixth season with a 36-28 record. But after three straight losses and no offensive identity this year, pressure is mounting. A win here might buy him another month. Another loss, especially if Sanders looks lost, could trigger a midseason coaching change — possibly with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt taking over on an interim basis.
Why is the over/under so low at 36.5 points?
The Raiders have scored 155 total points this season — just 15.5 per game. The Browns have averaged 17.8. Both teams have struggled to sustain drives. The Raiders’ offense ranks 30th in yards per game. The Browns’ offense has turned the ball over 19 times in 10 games. Add in windy conditions and rookie QB nerves, and 36.5 feels almost generous. The under is the smarter play.
What does this game mean for the 2026 NFL Draft?
A loss by either team could determine who gets the No. 1 overall pick. Currently tied at 2-8, the tiebreaker is strength of schedule — and the Raiders have faced a tougher slate. If the Browns lose, they’ll likely drop to the No. 2 pick. If the Raiders lose, they could fall to No. 3. That’s the difference between drafting Caleb Williams and selecting a top-tier offensive tackle. The draft implications are as real as the scoreboard.