The Cleveland Browns had a chance to lock the required spot in the extended NFL playoffs with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. With a simple schedule ahead by the weekend and ahead, Cleveland laid down for their opponent. The Raiders were more physical at the point of contact and in the Brown defense they ran on 44 carry of 206 yards, as Las Vegas won 16-6 in Cleveland.
Brown missed a tack call, dropped a pass and was fined with a bone. They were terrible in every aspect of the game, and it’s hard to identify a player who would have done well. Cleveland’s defensive coordinator, Wood Woods, showed an incredible lack of situational awareness in the play-calling gender. Las Vegas had 37:43 and a big advantage from Karim Hunt on the ball.
It wasn’t exactly beautiful but, in a fight against another potential AFC playoff team, the Raiders put their will on Brown.
Why Las Vegas won
Las Vegas was more physical at the point of contact. The team did a better job of limiting the big plays by running back and protesting while making some of their own. The Raiders had 44 hurricanes surpassing 200 rushing yards a day while keeping the ball 15 minutes longer than their rivals.
Penalties were an issue in the first quarter but those errors cleared up during the game. Las Vegas had a +1 turnover difference during the day despite an afternoon -5 turnover difference.
Why Cleveland lost
Where does the description of a defense full of professionals showing anything other than a professional game on Sunday begin? In 3G and longer situations, the defensive coordinator Wood Woods either didn’t predict the screens or just didn’t care. The lack of awareness was exacerbated by the compressed weather. Josh Jacobs and Devonte ran through the Booker Arm Tuckles and exploited all of the team’s poor run-scoring game. With Miles Garrett coming off the field with a knee injury, Cleveland couldn’t hold a line of statements.
Baker Mayfield did not play badly but his recipients did it in zero favor. Tight end Harrison Bryant was responsible for the only turnover that day and many other passes were missed. Opportunities to lengthen drives were exhausted on the turf.
Play the game
For the start of the fourth quarter, Hunter Rainfono’s 4-yard touchdown reception essentially served as a nail in the coffin. At no point did it seem like Cleveland’s offense could put the ball in the final zone. Ranfo’s catch was a bit controversial. The ball certainly hit the ground but the camera never showed a wrong angle of control. The call was raised after an official review.
What’s next
Browns will be looking for answers with a 5-3 record going ahead bye weekend. The good news is that at the back of their schedule are some of the league’s worst teams: the Jaguars, the Jets, the Giants, the Texans and the Eagles. His postseason fate is still very much in the air.
Las Vegas is now 4- with two games against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos. Is. Chargers await next week.
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