Raiders secure 20-16 victory over Browns with strong defense and enhanced running game

The Las Vegas Raiders secured a 20-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, utilizing a strong defensive performance and a well-rounded running game to resist a late comeback attempt. Despite missing key players like Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby due to injuries, the Raiders’ defense limited the Browns to just 241 total yards.
Alexander Mattison led the rushing attack for the Raiders with 60 yards, contributing to the team’s total of 152 rushing yards. This marked a significant improvement for the Raiders, as they hadn’t surpassed 55 rushing yards in a game this season before this match. Additionally, the Raiders had five different players with runs of at least 10 yards, the most since 2010.
Gardner Minshew struggled for the Browns, completing just 14 of 24 passes for 130 yards while being sacked twice by Myles Garrett. On the other hand, Deshaun Watson orchestrated a touchdown drive for the Browns at the start of the game but faced pressure behind an offensive line missing four starters.
Despite the loss, the Browns now stand at 1-3, diminishing their chances of playoff contention. Only 42 teams since the 1970 merger have made the postseason after starting with a 1-3 record. Meanwhile, the Raiders improved to 2-2 after bouncing back from a previous loss to the Panthers.
The see-saw battle saw the Raiders falling into a 10-0 deficit early on before scoring 20 unanswered points. A fumble by Zamir White led to a touchdown by the Browns, but a missed extra point kept them trailing at 20-16. Cleveland almost took the lead with an 82-yard touchdown pass, but a penalty nullified the play.
In terms of injuries, both teams faced significant challenges. The Browns saw multiple players leave the field, including C Ethan Pocic and LB Jordan Hicks, while key players like Wyatt Teller and Jedrick Wills Jr. were already sidelined. The Raiders were without Maxx Crosby, Davante Adams, and other players.
Looking ahead, the Browns will face the Washington Commanders on the road, while the Raiders are set to clash with the Denver Broncos in their upcoming game.