This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns take on the Las Vegas Raiders as they look to salvage the easy stretch of their schedule. Below, we analyze a few advantages, disadvantages, or general thoughts about the two teams before getting to our predictions for the game.
Game Analysis
Piecing Together the Offense
- The offensive line has struggled. Was was supposed to be the return of Jedrick Wills last week, ended up being Browns fans remembering why they didn’t want him in there a year ago — coupled with the fact that he’s hurt again, and out this week. Jack Conklin is out again too, due to his hamstring injury. Conklin is the guy who could really help this offensive line more than anyone, when he’s ready.
The interior of the line has struggled a bit too, and now Wyatt Teller is out. Maybe it’s time to see some new blood, though. Rookie Zak Zinter gets the start at right guard this week — can Joel Bitonio and Ethan Pocic hold strong up front? Lastly, it looks like Dawand Jones is going to limp his way through another week. We would brag about his tape last year, but this year, we have our Raiders affiliate salivating at the thought of taking advantage of him:
If Dawand Jones is in the game on Sunday, please take advantage of him #Raiders!!! pic.twitter.com/L2cJBGlQlH
— Matt Holder (@MHolder95) September 26, 2024
- Cleveland’s offensive firepower remains limited without David Njoku and Nick Chubb. The crazy thing about this offense is that it worked as a zone run blocking team, and heavily utilizing two tight end sets. The offensive line seemed to thrive in that capacity. Now, we have the spread offense with Deshaun Watson and the run game in Shotgun so often. We don’t even run the RPO out of it, but we act like we do. I hate Shotgun runs most of the time, as the running backs can’t build a head of steam, and Watson doesn’t move in the pocket well.
- Last week, the encouraging element we saw was that Amari Cooper got some nice catches from Watson. Cleveland needs to figure out a way to get the ball to players quickly and in space. Everything is so slow-developing in this offense, including Watson’s decision making. There needs to be a lot of those short plays and runs to set up the playaction fake where you can take some of those deeper rips.
- The Raiders’ defense has been bad, and their best pass rusher, Maxx Crosby, is out this week. Hopefully, that at least balances out things.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25648079/2174020707.jpg "Cleveland Browns vs. Las Vegas Raiders NFL Week 4 Preview and Prediction (1)")
Defense Needs a Complete Game
- The Browns’ defense has been playing well for quarters and halves, but there always seems to be those couple of drives where they have critical mistakes. The Raiders’ run game isn’t thriving, they don’t have Davante Adams, and the rest of their offense doesn’t light the world on fire (rookie tight end Brock Bowers is promising).
- Gardner Minshew leads the charge for the Raiders. Minshew is completing a lot of passes in this offense: 73.7%. He’s averaging 1 touchdown and 1 interception per game. He’s a gamer, but he can only work with what he’s got. He’s being sacked about 4 times per game. Last year against the Browns, Minshew was 15-of-23 for 305 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. That was an astounding 13.26 yards per attempt, with the Colts. He also almost never runs, but he had 3 rushes for 29 yards and 2 touchdowns in that game.
- I still have faith in the Browns’ defense. I see the same degree of aggressiveness, but they’ve just fallen short on turnovers and some plays that could’ve gone the other way. Despite things not going their way, they are ranked 12th in yards, 13th in sacks/attempt, 7th in third down defense, and 16th in the red zone and goal line.
Quick Hitters
- This week, it’s hard to make prediction when the Browns have played poorly on offense for three weeks, have had inefficient quarterback play, solid but inopportune defense, and injuries to key players. We’re facing the Raiders, who have things going against them. Great. Can you honestly have faith in the Browns to put a dominant, complete game together?
- Next week will be interesting to see what happens with a few players on the PUP list. Will there be any surprise news on Nick Chubb? Nyheim Hines? Will Jedrick Wills or Jack Conklin be back?
- Matt Wilson shows an under-the-radar weakness that the Raiders can exploit.
- Curtiss Brown talked about three strategies that Cleveland can live by this week.
- According to the FanDuel Sportsbook, the Browns are 1.5-point underdogs against the Raiders.
Predictions
Here are predictions from multiple staff members at DBN.
Chris Pokorny: “The Browns might be facing a lot of questions, but the Raiders also aren’t a great team. Last week, the defense got it together and shut the Giants down in the second half. I see the same this week, and then on the other side, Las Vegas’ pass rush won’t be as strong to disrupt everything Watson is trying to do. That should pave the way for Cleveland to come away with a win.” Browns 23, Raiders 16
Jared Mueller: “I will not pick the Browns to win this game against the Raiders despite the fact that I believe they will.
A ton of injuries, an offense without direction and flying across country are enough to lead to a loss. Las Vegas has enough talent to win and Cleveland just loss to New York. If you are betting, you probably have to bet on the Raiders at this point.” Raiders 24, Browns 21
Thomas Moore: “After last week’s debacle against the Giants, it is hard to pick the Cleveland Browns to win this week. The offense is broken - somewhat literally in the case of the offensive line’s ongoing injuries - and the quarterback continues to make even the easiest of throws look difficult.
The Raiders are not good, however, as they can’t run the ball on offense, can’t cover tight ends on defense, will be without wide receiver Davante Adams, and could be without defensive end Maxx Crosby, who even if he does play may be limited.
Getting out of town for a few days may be just what the Browns need to clear their heads, and if you are going to gamble on something then Las Vegas is the place to do it.” Browns 10, Raiders 6
Barry Shuck: “Where do you start? The defense has little time to catch their breath when suddenly the punt team is on the field. The Browns offense is ranked what? 30th? Luckily, they are taking on a Raiders defense that is ranked #31. Like last year, a slew of injuries. Not happy with this new-look offense at all. Punter for team MVP!” Raiders 24, Browns 13
Ezweav: “Time to get back to the roots. Run the ball and set up the pass after that. Browns have the talent to hang with anyone they’ve just been all up in their own way all year. I don’t really have much to complain about with the defense - they’ve been good enough for us to be 3-0. That’s why offensively we either need to finally break through with current scheme or dial it back to something that isn’t as susceptible to getting constantly overwhelmed like against Dallas and NYG.
FWIW Minshew tore us up pretty good last year, albeit running Shane Steichen’s offense. I’m thinking the defense will be able to exact a little payback and offensively, if we should be able to do enough to get over the top.” Raiders 16, Browns 15
Curtiss Brown: “Could the Browns win this game? I don’t know but everyone is counting them out so they probably will. As far as the Las Vegas Raiders go, they are dealing with the same issues that the Browns are dealing with (to an extent). Offense not producing, star edge rusher being limited to an injury, but the only difference is Stefanski didn’t call his team out publicly to the media. It’s only Week 4 and it seems as if the team has a lot of tension slowly building up. Sure, the season hasn’t gotten off to the start that they wanted but they have an opportunity to fix it. Offensively? I don’t know what the Browns can do to make the quarterback comfortable, it’s up to him to figure it out and hope everyone else can fix the problems themselves. Defensively, they just need to dial down the aggression and not look for the big play every time, they played a way better 2nd half last week when they did.
Gardner Minshew lit up the Browns the last time they played but he has Luke Getsy and not Shane Steichen helping him, so take that as you may. Browns have a better coach and roster but the Raiders will make this competitive and both teams will play with a point to prove (either one could come out flat and things go south for either side but who knows.) Coin flip for me.” Raiders 20, Browns 19
Damon Wolfe: “Both teams are coming into this one desperate for a win to avoid going 1-3. Usually, I like the coach who’s a better motivator and brings the intensity. That would favor Pierce and the Raiders in this instance but Stefanski has an uncanny way of getting results when the team has its back against the wall.” Browns 14, Raiders 13
Who do you think will win, Browns fans? Let us know in the comments section below.
