LAS VEGAS — There are few cities in the world more capable of handling a massive show than Las Vegas.

Well, the show’s coming to town and playing less than a mile off The Strip.

The Browns are starting rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders when they play at the Las Vegas Raiders in what is, honestly, a massive game for both teams if they’re truly interested in winning. Both come into the game 2-8, and need to capitalize on facing a team residing in their same neighborhood of the standings.

That’s secondary to what the real storyline is to the game, the only storyline that’s drawing attention to the game at all. That’s the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, a fifth-round draft pick out of the University of Colorado, getting his first NFL start with Dillon Gabriel out with a concussion.

So how do the Browns make Sanders’ first start a success, beyond the obvious of him playing well? Let’s dive into some of the matchups, questions and stats that will factor into Cleveland’s Sin City experience.

Cleveland Browns offensive matchup of the game: RT Jack Conklin vs. DE Maxx Crosby

The first caveat is that Conklin has to be able to play in the game. The former two-time All-Pro was listed as questionable with a knee injury that took him out of the previous game against the Baltimore Ravens. So, this could end up being still-unproven KT Leveston lining up at right tackle instead of Conklin. What isn’t questionable is the presence of Crosby, one of the elite pass rushers in the game. After his own brief knee issue this week, he’s good to go with no injury designation, which isn’t necessarily good news for the Browns, who didn’t have to deal with Crosby in last year’s matchup because of an injury. Crosby may not be Myles Garrett — honestly, who really is? — but he does have six sacks and, just as impressive, 14 tackles for loss, which is tied for third behind Garrett and the New York Giants’ Brian Burns. Want to know who could singularly wreck Sanders’ debut? Crosby.

Cleveland Browns defensive matchup of the game: S Grant Delpit vs. TE Brock Bowers

This isn’t all going to be on Delpit. He himself said Nov. 20 that everyone’s likely to get a crack at the ultra versatile All-Pro Bowers, one of the premier second-year players in the entire league. The Raiders move Bowers all over the place, from inline as like a normal tight end to out wide like a wide receiver. Wherever they put him, he’s really productive — third in the league among tight ends this season in receptions per game (5.6) and second in receiving yards per game (65). And his overall numbers through 24 career games lead all tight ends in NFL history with 151 catches — second only to Odell Beckham Jr. among all players — for 1,649 yards. So, no, Delpit’s not going to be the only one. Everyone from linebacker Carson Schwesinger to cornerback Denzel Ward will likely have a snap or two matched up on Bowers. They just can’t allow him to have a massive day.

3 burning questions: Cleveland Browns vs. Las Vegas Raiders

• Where does Shedeur Sanders take the biggest strides forward? The statistical line was not a pleasant one for Sanders in his first two quarters of regular-season NFL football: 4-of-16 passing, 47 yards, two sacks, an interception, a fumble he didn’t lose and a 13.5 passer rating. The benefit of a full week’s worth of practice, plus a game plan built around him as a starter should help. Ultimately, though, it will be Sanders’ personal growth that’s going to make the biggest difference. If he takes big strides forward, there’s a whole different way to look at the remaining games on the Browns schedule.
• Who can win the rookie rushing battle? Lost in the talk about Sanders’ debut is the fact two of the top rookie running backs, and statistically the two top rookie running backs, will be on the field. The Browns’ second-round pick, Quinshon Judkins, and the Raiders’ No. 6 overall pick, Ashton Jeanty, have been strong through the start of their debut seasons. However, it hasn’t necessarily translated over to the overall numbers for each teams’ offense, with Las Vegas tied for 30th in rushing offense and Cleveland 26th. With a rookie quarterback on one side and a veteran who’s been an interception machine this season on the other, getting the run game established would take a lot off either one’s shoulders.
• Can Myles Garrett set a Browns single-season franchise sack record? That’s what everyone wants to see. Garrett has 15 sacks, one off the franchise record he set consecutively in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Considering he’s posted 10 sacks in just the last three games, what’s a couple more against an aging veteran and a team that’s allowed 31 sacks in 10 games?

Stats and numbers: Cleveland Browns vs. Las Vegas Raiders

0-13

The Browns have started 13 rookie quarterbacks since 1999 before Sanders. All 13 have lost their starting debut. That includes Gabriel’s Week 5 start against the Minnesota Vikings in London. The last Browns rookie quarterback to win his debut starting? Eric Zeier at the Cincinnati Bengals in 1995. It’s not just rookies, either. First-time starters are 0-17 for the Browns since Zeier, all of those coming since the 1999 expansion season.

9

The last time the Browns won in the Pacific Time Zone came in Week 13 of the 2012 season, when they went to Oakland and beat the Raiders 20-17. Since then, they’ve lost their last nine games in the Pacific Time Zone, including against the Raiders last year in Las Vegas and in 2018 in Oakland.

13

Geno Smith throws interceptions. It’s why Raiders coach Pete Carroll had to give him a vote of confidence after a Week 11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Smith has thrown as many interceptions as anyone in the NFL. The only QB who has thrown as many interceptions as Smith this season is the Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa. Browns fans remember what happened when they faced Tagovailoa a few weeks ago, right?