The Browns' defense under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has been among the best teams in the NFL in defending against the pass.
Since he was hired in 2023, they have been among the top 12 teams in the NFL in fewest passing yards allowed per game. Cleveland finished first in the category in 2023, 12th in 2024 and is on pace to finish top of the league again in 2025. Through 10 games, the Browns have given up 167 passing yards per game, the fewest in the NFL.
The Browns face a Raiders' offense that will attempt to challenge them in Week 12. The Raiders passed the ball 42 times compared to 12 rushing attempts in Week 11 against the Cowboys, relying on the pass to move the ball. The Raiders' offense has averaged 187.6 passing yards per game.
"They may try to get back and try to run the ball a little bit, we just have to be prepared for both," CB Denzel Ward said. "They have a great running back and a great receiving game as well, so we just have to be prepared."
QB Geno Smith has started every game for the Raiders this season, throwing for 2,082 yards and 12 touchdowns. Smith is also tied for the most interceptions in the NFL with 13 and has thrown an interception in each of his last three games.
The Browns have forced quarterbacks to make mistakes this season, recording at least one interception in each of their last four games. Cleveland picked off multiple passes in two of those four games, including three against the Dolphins in Week 7 and two against Baltimore in Week 11. The Browns need to be ready against Smith to jump a passing lane or track down an errant pass, ending Las Vegas' possessions early and giving extra possessions to their own offense.
Even with the number of interceptions this season, Cleveland must account for Smith's passing ability. He is a season removed from throwing for 4,320 yards during the 2024 season with the Seahawks, a career best. He also made the Pro Bowl in two consecutive seasons with Seattle in 2022 and 2023.
To begin the 2025 season, Smith threw for 362 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots. In Week 9 against the Jaguars, Smith kept the Raiders in the game as he threw for 284 yards and four touchdowns, but Las Vegas lost 30-29 in overtime.
"(He is) just a vet in this league, been playing for a long time, knows how to play and rally a team," Ward said of Smith. "He's still a great player and someone we're going to lock in on this week."
Smith has one of the top tight ends in the NFL to throw to in Brock Bowers, who was named a First-Team All-Pro in his rookie season in 2024. Bowers caught 112 passes for 1,194 yards and is on a similar pace this season. Bowers is averaging 65 yards per game, 5.2 yards behind his 2024 pace. Although he missed three games with a PCL injury, he has 455 yards on 39 receptions in seven games. Bowers recorded 127 yards and caught three touchdowns in his return from injury in Week 9.
Bowers' speed as a tight end can also cause problems for defenses due to defenders being unable to keep up. He reached a top speed of 20.27 MPH on a 38-yard catch in Week 1, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. His speed forced Dallas to put a cornerback on Bowers in situations and might require Cleveland to do the same, according to Ward.
"I could see (myself covering him)," Ward said. "He's going to be a great player in this league. Definitely like a receiving tight end. Has the speed for it, route running, good hands and definitely their top player over there for those guys. He's a good player and someone we have to key in on."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 12 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) and Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Cleats during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Defensive end K.J. Henry (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
A Gatorade bottles during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Cornerback Dee Williams (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Cornerback Sam Webb (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (64) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Defensive back D'Angelo Ross (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
A Gatorade bottle during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Linebacker Eugene Asante (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Defensive back D'Angelo Ross (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 19, 2025.
Raiders wideouts Tre Tucker and Tyler Lockett both will be players that Cleveland's secondary will also have to focus on. Lockett is in the middle of his 11th year in the NFL and joined Las Vegas in Week 9. With the Raiders, he is reconnecting with Smith, who he had a 1,000 receiving yard season catching passes from in 2022.
In Week 10 and 11, Lockett and Smith have quickly rediscovered their chemistry. Lockett has eight receptions for 77 yards, second behind Bowers in both categories in the last two games.
Tucker is having a breakout season in his third year, nearly surpassing his career-highs in receptions and receiving yards in just 10 games. So far, he has recorded 502 yards on 38 catches, averaging 13.2 yards per reception. He had a career-high 145 receiving yards and three touchdowns against the Commanders in Week 3.
"They're just great players," Ward said. "Geno (Smith's) going to give them opportunities at the ball and I'm looking forward to covering them."
Ward's competitive spirit – daring the ball to come his way -- is like that of the Browns defense as a whole. As Ward and the Browns prepare for a potential tough aerial test against the Raiders, Ward remains focused on a goal he set during training camp – being the top defense in the NFL.
"We're still doing great things as a defense," Ward said. "We're just trying to be the best group out there, best defense in the league – historically if we can. We're out there competing, we're all a bunch of competitors and we're just trying to be the best."
