Week 8 (5-2) Cleveland Browns vs. (3-3) Las Vegas Raiders
FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH
1:00 pm (ET)
Cleveland Browns Week 8 Preview:
Coming off a come from behind victory in Cincinnati, the Cleveland Browns are looking to take down the Las Vegas Raiders at home. After losing Odell Beckham Jr. for the season with a torn ACL. It will be the Browns first full game without OBJ. The Browns will be looking for a big home win and chance to go into their bye week with a (6-2) record.
Why this is an important game for the Cleveland Browns:
Even with a (5-2) record the Cleveland Browns are still in third place in the AFC North division. That means the most likely way for the Browns to get into the playoffs will be from earning a wildcard spot. At (3-3) the Las Vegas are a game back of the final wildcard position. If both teams continue to have success, this game has the potential of deciding which of these two teams gets into the playoffs. The Browns have their bye week coming up after their game with the Raiders. Getting a win before their bye can give the Browns a positive vibe for the next two weeks.
Key Injuries:
Cleveland Browns:
Doubtful: G Wyatt Teller (calf) and TE Austin Hooper (Appendix)
Questionable: LB Jacob Phillips (knee), T Jack Conklin (knee), C JC Tretter (knee), WR Jarvis Landry, DE Myles Garrett (ankle), DT Larry Ogunjobi (hamstring), and Kareem Hunt (ribs)
Las Vegas Raiders:
Questionable: S Dallin Leavitt (ankle), RB Josh Jacobs (knee), DE Arden Key (foot), DT Maliek Collins (shoulder), and DE Carl Nassib (toe)
What the Browns need to do to win:
Offensively: In the past four games, the Las Vegas Raiders defense has not played well. The Raiders have allowed thirty or more points in their past four games. The Raiders struggle to defend the run. They allow 4.6 yards per carry and have given up twelve rushing touchdowns, which is the most in the NFL. The Browns offense comes in averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Since Nick Chubb went out with a knee injury, the Browns have had less success rushing the ball. However, Cleveland can still run the ball effectively. The Browns are going to have to run the ball well in order to keep the Raiders offense off the field. Baker Mayfield had his best game of the season last week. Mayfield will look to have another great game, however he will be without his star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Defensively: After giving up thirty-four points and allowing 406 yards passing. The Browns defense will be facing another team in the Raiders who can throw the ball effectively. Cleveland’s defense is going to have to bounce back and play better. Outside of Myles Garrett, Cleveland’s defense is not getting to the quarterback. However, Myles Garrett is having an unbelievable season. Garrett leads the NFL in sacks with nine sacks. It’s not just the sacks that Garrett brings to the Browns’ defense. Garrett is creating turnovers. Myles Garrett has forced four fumbles, including a key strip sack in last week’s victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns are going to need Myles Garrett to continue to play at a MVP level in order for the Browns’ defense to have success this week against the Raiders.
Player to watch:
Kareem Hunt has played decently since becoming the number running back for the Browns. In the last three games, Hunt is averaging 62.7 yards rushing per game. I expect this to be Hunt’s breakout game. The Raiders struggle defending the run. As long as the game does not turn into a shootout, Hunt should rush the ball more than twenty times and rush for over 100 yards.
Prediction:
Cleveland Browns 31 – Raiders 27
This will be another close game for the Browns. However, the Browns will come out on top against the Raiders. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, is off to an amazing start in his first year as head coach for the Browns. I expect him to come out with a game plan that slows down the game. The Browns’ defense will cause turnovers. Which will be the reason the Cleveland Browns win and improve to (6-2) on the season.
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