In an important AFC matchup, the Cleveland Browns fell to the Las Vegas Raiders 16-6. The game was not pretty. The Browns failed to score a touchdown, and the Raiders only scored one touchdown. The weather was the reason for the low scores. The game had rain, sleet, hail, low temperatures, and high winds. The Raiders were able to tough out the bad weather and come away with the victory. The Browns are now (5-3) on the season and are now the seven seed in the AFC.
The Raiders ability to run the ball effectively led the Raiders to victory. The Raiders ran the ball for 208 yards, which led to the Raiders dominating the time of possession. The Raiders time of possession was 37:43. While the Browns time of possession was 22:17. The Browns only had six offensive drives and had just forty-one offensive plays. While the Raiders ran seventy-one offensive plays.
The biggest takeaway from this game for the Cleveland Browns was the defensive inability to get off the field. The Raiders fifty-seven percent of their third down attempts. Five of the seven offensive drives for the Raiders were ten plays or longer. As a result of the Raiders third down success, it felt like the Raiders offense was on the field the whole game. The Raiders only passed for 112 yards. However, the poor weather and wind was the reason for the lack of passing yards for the Raiders. A positive note for the Browns defense was that Olivier Vernon had his best game of the year. Vernon recorded two sacks.
Offensively, the Browns struggled to score a touchdown. The Browns ran the ball well, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and for 101 total rushing yards. It was the passing game that hurt the Browns’ offense. In spite of the lack of passing production, quarterback Baker Mayfield was not the issue. It was the five drops by Cleveland receivers that were the problem. Mayfield went 12/25 for 122 yards. Which was a good game for Baker considering the terrible passing conditions and drops by receivers. A costly fumble by Harrison Bryant at the Raiders thirty-two-yard line on the first offensive drive for the Browns was the only turnover for the Browns. Which consequently ended the Browns chance of scoring a touchdown.
Up next for the (5-3) Cleveland Browns is their much-needed bye week. Cleveland is expecting to get offensive guard Wyatt Teller and star running back Nick Chubb back from injury after the bye week. Also, during the bye week for the Browns is the NFL trade deadline Tuesday. It will be an interesting bye week as the Browns could add some players via a trade. After the bye week, the Browns will go up against the (1-6) Houston Texans. The Browns will have a great chance to get back on track after their bye week and matchup against the struggling Texans.
For more NFL coverage click here
For Browns vs Raiders week 8 highlight click here
