𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

LAS VEGAS — Everybody’s watching Shedeur Sanders today.

What’s the best way the Browns can help Sanders succeed in his first NFL start? A big day from running back Quinshon Judkins and what’s become a predictable strong effort would be good places to start. Expect the Browns to lean on Judkins early and try to script some quick, easy completions for Sanders until the rookie settles in.

The Las Vegas offensive line is relying on backups and faces a ferocious Cleveland front headlined by Myles Garrett, who has 10 sacks over his last three games and entered the weekend with a league-high 15 on the season. When the Browns are at their best, interior push from defensive tackles Mason Graham and Maliek Collins frees up both Garrett and rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who might be on his way to winning the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

The Browns’ offensive line has had its struggles, and Sanders was awful against pressure both last week and in the preseason finale. Expect the Browns to counter that with designed rollouts and, ideally, enough positive runs from Judkins to keep Sanders out of obvious passing situations. Sanders will throw it down the field when given the opportunity, but given the season that Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has had, it’s fair to wonder if Jeudy will get open and catch it. Expect some scripted chances for both Jeudy and Cedric Tillman early. And though Jeudy has had too many drops, he does have the speed to cause problems for a shaky Raiders secondary.

Judkins got 25 carries when the Browns rode their defense and a conservative game plan to a big win over the Dolphins back in Week 7. Cleveland hasn’t won since, but at least 20 carries for Judkins figure to be a part of the menu today. Judkins ran 23 times for a season-high 110 yards the last time the Browns had a new starting quarterback, back in Week 5. The Browns should have won that day because they established the run and won the turnover battle. Probably, they can survive one turnover from Sanders and have to feel their defense can create headaches and takeaways from Geno Smith. But if Sanders doesn’t handle pressure or throws multiple interceptions, it will be difficult for the Browns to win.