Nov 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll before the game at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Biggest Difference Between the Raiders and the Browns

Originally posted on Las Vegas Raiders on SI
By Fernando Alfaro-Donis | Last updated Nov 23, 2025 1:00 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders will be at home, taking on the 2 - 8 Cleveland Browns in Week 12. The Raiders have the same record, but the biggest thing that differs about them is their culture. The Browns have a dominant defense that keeps games close. while the Raiders' defense has shown itself to be helpless against even mediocre offenses.

The Browns have played three different quarterbacks this season, with Shedeur Sanders making his first career start against the Raiders. Meanwhile, the Raiders have stubbornly stuck behind Geno Smith as their starting quarterback, despite him giving them a multitude of reasons to bench him.

Time is Ticking

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The biggest thing that separates these bottom-of-the-barrel teams is their attitude and urgency. Kevin Stefanski knows his job is on the line if he can't find success this season, and Pete Carroll's is in the same boat; he just doesn't know it yet.

At least, Carroll acts like a man who doesn't know his job's on the line. There's no other way to explain his coaching decisions and continuous lapses of judgment. He insists on having his players he hand-picked for the Raiders roster to play over younger players, which would give the Raiders a better chance of winning.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Smith's continued time as the Raiders' starting quarterback highlights the biggest difference between the Raiders and the Browns. The Browns at least try to shake things up and give themselves the best chance to win, even if it never really works out in their favor.

The Raiders tried hard in the off-season to get them out of the mud of mediocrity and set themselves up for success in the future. Unfortunately, their efforts haven't been fruitful, and their signings have set them back instead of propelling them forward. However, they've done nothing to rectify their decisions and have seemingly accepted defeat.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Another example of one of the most jarring differences between these two teams in 2025 is their comfort level and reliance on their rookie running backs. Despite Quinshon Judkins not being able to play until Week 2, he has more rushing attempts than Ashton Jeanty so far this season.

Judkins was taken in the second round, while Jeanty was supposed to be the Raiders' next cornerstone piece on offense. Judkins isn't more talented than Jeanty, but he's been given at least 20 carries in four separate games, while Jeanty would get lucky for more than 10.

This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: