Sunday Dawg Chow (11/23): Who’s ready to be legendary?

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...