Despite being a matchup between two 2-8 football teams, when the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders kick things off around 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, it'll be one of the most highly anticipated games on the 2025 season. 

That's because polarizing rookie QB Shedeur Sanders will make his first career start in Week 12. With all eyes on him, comes a lot of pressure to perform, but that's nothing new for Sanders. 

"I think it's everything we all think, I think it's going to be exciting," Sanders said during his press conference on Wednesday. "I know a lot of y'all going to be there. I know you can't miss it. You cannot miss this moment. It'll be definitely exciting." 

It's been quite a ride for Sanders to this moment. After being drafted by the Browns with pick No. 144 in the fifth round of this past April's NFL Draft, Sanders has slowly climbed up the depth chart. He spent most of the offseason program and then training camp as the No. 4 QB behind fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel and veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. 

Slowly but surely, the Browns whittled the room down, trading Pickett away in late August before trimming the roster. Then after four weeks of Flacco holding down the starting role, they traded him too. That left only Gabriel and Sanders on the active roster together as rookies. 

The last six weeks have been spent evaluating Gabriel, who the franchise selected two rounds and 50 picks earlier than Sanders. However, after suffering a concussion in last Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the latter was thrust into action. With Gabriel still sidelined, now Sanders will make his first start sooner than Cleveland expected. 

Through it all, Sanders approach to honing his craft hasn't changed. He's been working hard behind the scenes to earn this opportunity. His role may be changing, but his mindset isn't. 

"The same how I always am," Sanders said of his approach. "Knowing exactly where everybody's going to be, prepare, understand that the [Raiders] have a great defense. They're coached by a great coach and they have great players on that side of the ball. So just doing what I can to prepare mentally, physically, emotionally to make sure my best self."

One major difference for Sanders this week will be that he'll receive all the first team reps at practice. His lack of first team reps to this point have been a hotly debated topic among the pundits locally and nationally. 

Sanders' lack of reps with the ones seemed pretty apparent during Sunday's loss to the Ravens. He played the entire second half in relief of Gabriel, completing just four of his 16 passes for 47 yards and tossing his first career interception. 

Afterward, Sanders' himself candidly said it wasn't up to his own standards. Getting all the reps and a game plan built for him this week should help. 

"I'm truly excited for that," the Colorado product said. "Knowing that I have a piece of offense and a say so and how things fit my eye and place the players exactly where they need to be. Seeing how they come in and out of route, seeing the structure of the O-linemen, seeing their sets, seeing, just having a feeling."

The last seven months have been filled with plenty of mental reps for Sanders and don't get it twisted, he's taken full advantage of them. However, he believes he learns better by doing. 

"I'm more of a feel type of person, so that's how I learn, that's how I do everything," he added. "I'm not just, I'm going to just watch it, it's just going to happen. No, I got to be out there, feel it, I got to move around. It's like so many details that it takes for me to feel my best and play my best. I'm doing everything in my power and the team's doing everything to help me get prepared."

Kevin Stefanski made if very clear that if Gabriel was going to clear the concussion protocol in time for Sunday he would have remained the starter. There's a reality, though, where Sanders plays well enough that he may just keep the job himself. 

While Sanders' is clearly excited about getting his opportunity, he isn't getting ahead of himself.

"I don't think too much into that," he said. "I think in the moment present. Today, I go over the game plan and make sure I execute that. When you start moving too fast in life, sometimes you miss the small details of things. So I never want to overlook anything." 

There's no lack of confidence in Sanders, though. He's been talking the talk of a franchise quarterback since he started the pre-draft process. Cleveland has been longing for one of those for a long time. If Sunday is the first game of Sanders becoming just that, Browns fans will remember this game for a long time. 

That's not lost on him. 

"I know our fans have a lot of expectations and hope, and I would be doing a disservice to myself and disservice to the organization if I didn't feel like I am the guy," Sander stated. "I did everything I need to. I'm doing everything I need to to prepare to be the best version of myself as possible. 

"I like pressure in life. I'm just excited for everything. So I feel like I'm the guy, I know I'm the guy, but you’ll just have to be able to see. The game got to speak." 

It just might.