Raiders vs. Browns: 3 X-factors on defense for Week 12

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 02: Isaiah Pola-Mao #20 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates with Eric Stokes #22 after intercepting a pass during the first quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
(Candice Ward, Getty Images)

Justin Melo, Raiders Wire

Fri, Nov 21, 2025 ·

1 min read

The Las Vegas Raiders will attract quite the viewership on Sunday. Their Week 12 game versus the Cleveland Browns marks the debut start for Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders , the most controversial rookie QB in the league this season. Pete Carroll and Patrick Graham will relish their opportunity to make life difficult on the inexperienced Sanders.

We've identified three potential X-factors for the Raiders on defense.

Isaiah Pola-Mao , S

The Raiders have only secured six interceptions as a defense this season. Isaiah Pola-Mao is tied with Kyu Blu Kelly for the team lead with two apiece. The rangy safety should like his chances to bait Sanders into a mistake. Pola-Mao will roam the defensive backfield, waiting to pounce on an ill-advised Sanders throw.

Maxx Crosby , EDGE

The Browns are banged up at offensive tackle. Maxx Crosby has six sacks this season, a little off his usual pace. Crosby is still an elite pass rusher. Sanders struggled at Colorado with holding onto the football and drifting into pressure. The Raiders' best pass rusher will be alert.

Devin White , LB

Devin White leads the Raiders in tackles by a sizable margin, having totaled 97 so far. Carroll and Graham could bring him on delayed blitzes to confuse Sanders. White could also occasionally play as a "spy," given how Sanders loves searching for off-script plays.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders vs. Browns: 3 X-factors on defense for Week 12