Raiders vs. Browns: 5 things to watch on Sunday
You could make a valid argument that Sunday’s game against the Browns will either bury the Raiders’ season or keep its faint hopes alive.
No team has made the playoffs after starting 0-3 since 2002, so the odds are already stacked against the silver and black. Yet in their minds, a win against the upstart Browns could inject a sliver of optimism into a team hardly facing the stiffest of competition in the coming weeks.
Let’s take a look at five things to watch in Sunday’s crucial game between the Browns (1-1-1) and Raiders (0-3) at the Coliseum.
Can Raiders avoid panic mode?
The Raiders likely wouldn’t say it, but losing their first four games of the season would officially kick the panic button into gear.
Jon Gruden isn’t going anywhere and there won’t be any sweeping personnel changes before facing the Chargers in Week 5, but losing to the Browns after losing the first three games would be an absolute catastrophe for the Raiders.
Forget playoff chances, it would be about pride for the remainder of the season if the Raiders started 0-4.
The last time they did that was 2014, Derek Carr’s rookie season, but back then the Raiders didn’t have the level of talent they do now or the optimism surrounding a coach that the Raiders had around their $100 million man just a month ago. With their backs up against the wall, let’s see if the Raiders deliver on Sunday.
“I feel like if we would’ve gotten blown out all three games, or not even in the game, or not ever ahead in the game, it would be a pessimistic type of deal,” wide receiver Amari Cooper said. “We’re very optimistic. We feel like we could’ve won every game we’ve been in.”
An uncharacteristically vaunted Browns defense
The Browns – yes, the Browns – currently lead the NFL with 11 takeaways.
The closest teams, Chicago, Miami and Seattle, have eight. The Browns have five interceptions and six fumble recoveries, including two interceptions and a fumble recovery late against the Jets last Thursday night that helped secure their first win since Christmas Eve 2016.
The stars of this resurgent Browns defense are defensive end Myles Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick in 2017, cornerback Denzel Ward, the No. 4 overall pick in 2018 and middle linebacker Joe Schobert, among others. The Raiders sit tied for ninth in the league with five giveaways – all Carr interceptions – and will have their hands full protecting the ball Sunday.
“He’s so exotic in some of these looks and then sometimes he can just peal back on that kind of stuff and let his front four – because they’re so talented – just go,” Carr said of Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ defense. “I think that’s where they can create a lot of problems, in different looks. He’s been doing it for so long. He’s a great, great coach.”
Matt McCrane’s first game as Raiders kicker
The Raiders will trot out their third kicker in a game since Gruden became head coach, after rookie Eddy Piñeiro (groin) and veteran Mike Nugent (hip) both landed on injured reserve.
McCrane hit field goals of 53 and 54 yards during the preseason with the Cardinals as an undrafted rookie out of Kansas State, and earned a spot with the Raiders after beating out several others during a Tuesday tryout.
The Oakland Athletics are still playing, so McCrane will kick off the infield dirt in his first game as a Raider.
“I’m from West Texas,” McCrane said. “I’ve kicked off dirt.”
Nugent went 6-for-6 in three regular season games, and Gruden thinks the new guy can continue the Raiders’ kicking success.
“I’m sure all kickers in the league look forward to kicking off that dirt,” Gruden said in jest. “We’re confident in him. We’ll see what happens. We’re going to be very confident. We’ll go to him. He had made some long range kicks in the preseason. He had a good week of practice.”
Who’s up next for a breakout receiving game?
First came Jared Cook with nine receptions for 180 yards against the Rams. Then Amari Cooper with 10 catches for 116 yards against the Broncos. Then Jordy Nelson with six catches for 173 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins.
If the Raiders follow this trend of one receiver having a star performance each week, who’s next?
“That’s a good question,” Cooper said with a laugh. “I think we’ll just have to wait and see on that one.”
The only receiver left, presumably, is Martavis Bryant. He flashed some nice things against the Dolphins, including two 3rd-and-long conversions, but has yet to break out with only six catches for 60 yards in two games played.
“Seen some good stuff. He’s demanded coverage. I think he helps Amari have big days. I think he helps Jordy have big days and I think he made some big plays, third down receptions the other day,” Gruden said of Bryant. “We tried to get him the ball on a double reverse, or a gimmick play. We didn’t it execute it very well, but his presence out there is a difference. Everybody knows who is and what he is capable of doing.”
No. 1 overall pick making his first start
Everyone knows what the primary storyline is on Sunday. Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick and reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is making his first career start after bringing the Browns back from down 14-0 last week for their first win in almost two years.
He can run and he can throw, posing an actual threat for the Raiders’ mediocre defense despite having only played less than three quarters of professional football that counts.
Mayfield completed 73.9 percent of his passes against the Jets (17-for-23) and threw for 201 yards while catching a game-tying two-point conversion. He’s one of the hot topics of the league heading into Week 4, coming into Oakland with a hype train the Raiders have a chance to derail.
“I think actually I heard coach say it, so I’m not copying him, but he reminds me a lot of Jeff Garcia. Just very athletic. Very competitive,” Carr said. “Could make all the throws. He’s a good player. He’s a really good player. I think the sky is the limit for him as long as he just keeps his head down and keeps working. I think he can do a lot of great things for their organization.”