Shedeur Sanders Set for First NFL Start vs. Raiders: “We Got to Make His Life Miserable,” Says Maxx Crosby

With Dillon Gabriel still sidelined by a concussion, the Cleveland Browns are officially turning to rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders as their Week 12 starter against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sanders, who was thrust into his first regular-season NFL action last Sunday after Gabriel exited the Browns’ loss to the Ravens, will now get his first full week of prep as QB1 before facing a struggling but dangerous 2–8 Raiders team in Las Vegas.

Thrown Into the Fire vs. Baltimore

Cleveland held a lead over Baltimore when Sanders entered the game, but the rookie couldn’t steady the offense down the stretch.

In one half of action, Sanders:

• Completed 4 of 16 passes

• Threw for 47 yards

• Tossed one interception

• Was sacked twice

It was exactly the kind of choppy, disjointed debut you’d expect from a rookie thrown in cold against a physical, aggressive defense.

One issue that stood out on film: Sanders’ habit of drifting backward in the pocket, extending plays with his legs but also putting himself at poor angles for protection. Against the Ravens, that led to sacks and negative plays. Against the Raiders, it could be outright brutal.

Now He Gets a Full Week and a Different Kind of Test

This time, Sanders won’t be coming in cold. He’ll get every first-team rep during the week, sit in on meetings as the starter, and have the game plan built around him rather than handed to him on the fly.

On paper, facing a 2–8 Raiders team looks like a softer landing than Baltimore. In reality, their record hides the fact that Las Vegas’ defense is the strength of the roster and the pass rush, led by Maxx Crosby, is the last thing a drifting rookie wants to see.

If Sanders doesn’t clean up his pocket movement, Crosby will be waiting.

Geno Smith: “I’m Happy He’s Getting His Shot… Unfortunately It’s Against Us”

On the Raiders’ side, there’s real respect for Sanders and his journey.

Quarterback Geno Smith said he’s known Sanders since his high school days and is genuinely happy to see him on this stage.

“I’m happy for my guy,” Smith said. “S2’s the guy I’ve been talking to for a long time. Happy to see him getting his shot, but unfortunately it’s against us.”

Head coach Pete Carroll also praised Sanders’ pedigree and background.

“Shedeur’s had a tremendous background of success,” Carroll said, pointing to his college résumé and the expectations that followed him into the league.

That respect, though, stops when the ball is kicked.

Maxx Crosby’s Mission: “We Got to Make His Life Miserable”

No one framed the assignment more bluntly than Maxx Crosby.

Speaking on his podcast, The Rush With Maxx Crosby, the All-Pro edge rusher didn’t bother pretending Sunday’s matchup was anything but a hunting opportunity for the Raiders’ defense.

“Regardless, we have a job to get done and we got to make his life miserable,” Crosby said of Sanders. “And we got to shut down their offense for us to have a chance.”

Crosby also made sure to acknowledge the Sanders family.

“I got a ton of respect for obviously OG Deion and his whole family, they’re great people,” Crosby said. “It’ll be fun for sure if Shedeur ends up being the guy.”

Fun for Crosby. Potentially a long afternoon for Sanders.

A Big Opportunity and a Big Risk

For the Browns, this is a balancing act:

• They need to evaluate Sanders as a potential long-term answer.

• They need to stay competitive in a season that’s slipping away.

• And they need to ensure this first start doesn’t turn into a confidence-shattering beating.

Sanders believes he can handle it. He’s been in the spotlight before. He’s used to expectations. Now he gets a full week to prepare, a clear runway as the starter, and a chance to prove that last week’s shaky debut was just a cold entry against a tough defense not a preview of what’s to come.

The Raiders, led by Maxx Crosby, plan to test that belief immediately. On Sunday in Las Vegas, we find out whether Shedeur Sanders is ready for this level or whether the Raiders turn his first start into a harsh NFL lesson.

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Robert LaMar is a writer  for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26