The autumn wind is a Raider.
Despite unfavorable weather conditions, the Las Vegas Raiders defeat the Cleveland Browns 16-6 in old-school fashion.
First Half
The game was projected as a high-scoring matchup, despite key injuries to Cleveland’s offense. However, the weather had other plans as heavy 30-mile winds and sleet turned the game into a battle on the ground, starting with the run game and short, check down passes (irony for Raider fans).
Ground and pound summed up the Raiders’ game plan. Despite a scoreless first quarter (and a “blown” Daniel Carlson field goal from the wind), the Raiders built the tone of the game after linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski knocked the ball out of tight end Harrison Bryant’s hands for a fumble recovery. Cleveland opened up the second quarter with Baker Mayfield marching down the field from short passes to Jarvis Landry and quick running back draws by Kareem Hunt. Cody Parkey completed the 14 play, 60-yard drive with a 41-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
The Raiders’ next drive started poorly with a strong Cleveland defense stopping Devontae Booker and sacking Derek Carr. However, Las Vegas got back that yardage on a third and 18 screen pass to Booker for 17 yards. Alec Ingold runs up the middle to convert the fourth down. After solid runs from Carr and Josh Jacobs, the Raiders capped an eight-minute drive with a Carlson 29-yard field goal away from the wind. After the Raiders’ defense forced a three-and-out, the offense marched to the red zone and finished the first half with a 33-yard field goal to give Las Vegas a 6-3 lead at halftime.
Second Half
Cleveland opened up the second half with solid runs from Hunt and Landry breaking down the Raiders’ secondary. With 8:56 left in the third quarter, Mayfield throws a pass to Landry in the end zone. However, the call was overturned due to a lack of ball control. The Browns settled for a 38-yard field goal to tie the game at 6-6. The Raiders responded with the game-deciding drive, courtesy of solid runs from Jacobs and Carr. His 11-yard scramble on third down pumped up his team after picking up the first down. Las Vegas finished the third quarter with a hard count to draw defensive end Myles Garrett offsides to gain some yardage.
The Raiders opened up the fourth quarter with a four-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow to increase the lead to 13-6. Once the Browns’ offense took the field, the miscues continued, with David Njoku dropping a catchable third-down pass, forcing a punt. Las Vegas responded with a long 13 play, 74-yard drive to the red zone. Despite being a yard shy of the end zone, the Cleveland defense stopped Jacobs from crossing the end zone at the 1-yard line, forcing a 24-yard field goal to extend the lead to 16-6. Despite Mayfield’s efforts and a solid one-hand catch by Landry, the winds forced a 37-yard field goal miss. The Raiders picked up their fourth win of the season with a 16-6 victory.
Highlights
The kind of play that wins games.@nkwiatkoski27 | #LVvsCLE | FOX pic.twitter.com/nJsWE1MKXc
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 1, 2020
Kwiatkoski commits the lone turnover of the game to give the Raiders some early momentum.
Never a doubt 😶@renfrowhunter | #LVvsCLE | FOX pic.twitter.com/Au6VMq1aUP
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 1, 2020
Third and Renfrow.
JARVIS ONE-HANDER. @God_Son80
📺: #LVvsCLE on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/J6oAb5WnGm pic.twitter.com/Bo4l2181g6— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2020
Landry does Landry things with a deep, one-handed catch to pick up the first down.
The Raiders head to Los Angeles next Sunday to take on the red hot Chargers. The Week 9 matchup is the first of three straight games against AFC West opponents. Cleveland falls to 5-3 heading into their bye week. They return to action in Week 10 at home against the Houston Texans on Nov. 15. A notable injury to watch is Garrett, as he quickly exited the game with a knee contusion, but only returned on key downs.
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Main Image Credit:
Embed from Getty Images
