Cleveland Browns tight end Blake Whitehart (right) hits his teammate tight end during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, September 29, 2024, in Las Vegas. Celebrating a touchdown with Jordan Akins. (AP Photo/John Locher)
LAS VEGAS — The Raiders entered the matchup with the Browns without star players Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams and the worst run game in the NFL.
Additionally, Las Vegas lost to the previously winless Panthers, angering coach Antonio Pierce.
But the Raiders found a balanced running attack and overcame a Cleveland rally Sunday to win 20-16.
“Yeah, we had a lot of adversity this week, there’s no doubt about that.” Said Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew. “I was happy to see our reaction. We came to practice Friday and it felt like we had turned a corner and the whole vibe of the team changed and everyone got in that mood again.”
Cleveland had a chance to win by driving to the Raiders 9-yard line, but Charles Snowden sacked Deshaun Watson on fourth down with 35 seconds left.
The Raiders (2-2) had plenty of offense without star wide receiver Adams (hamstring) and held the Browns to 241 yards without Crosby (ankle).
“We all had to step up.” Snowden said. “I have to thank Max. He was very involved in coaching us all week and was a great presence.”
Alexander Mattison ran for 60 yards for the Raiders, who totaled 152 yards on the ground and had five players rush for 10 or more yards, the most since 2010 against the Seahawks. The Raiders scored rushing touchdowns from receivers Tre Tucker and DJ Turner, becoming the first team since the Jets in 2010 to score two TD runs from a wideout.
Las Vegas never rushed for more than 55 yards in a game this season.
“It was really nice to be able to operate on all cylinders like this and get the run game going.” Mattison said. “The O-line has done a great job. We know what we’re capable of, so we’ve got to keep doing that.”
Minshew was 14-for-24 for 130 yards. He was twice sacked by Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who has been plagued by various injuries.
Watson completed all eight passes to lead the Browns to a touchdown on the opening drive, which took 9 minutes, 22 seconds, but went 24-of-32 for 176 yards.
He entered the game with a league-high 16 sacks, and the Raiders brought him down three times. Cleveland’s offense was without four starting pitchers for most of the game.
It’s not even October yet, but the Browns (1-3) have dealt a blow to their playoff chances. Since the merger in 1970, only 42 teams have advanced to the postseason with one win and three losses.
A week earlier, Las Vegas lost 36-22 to the Panthers, and Pierce questioned the effort of some players. The Raiders then found themselves in a 10-0 hole in the first quarter.
Las Vegas scored another 20 points and appeared to be in control.
“I knew which group I belonged to.” Pierce said. “That (last week) wasn’t the team we’re used to seeing. It was a testing week. It probably started with me and my comments and I apologized (to the players) for that. It was a distraction in that sense. I don’t want to.”
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Zamir White fumbled and Browns safety Rodney McLeod returned it 25 yards for a TD, giving Cleveland a lifeline. Dustin Hopkins missed the extra point, and the Browns trailed 20-16.
“They had the momentum at that point, so we really had to step up and win.” Garrett said. “That’s what we were calling out in the rally and we answered the bell. It was an adrenaline rush.”
Cleveland appeared to take the lead with an 82-yard touchdown pass to wide-open Amari Cooper, but backup center Nick Harris was called for holding and the Browns ended up punting.
On a last-gasp drive that forced the Browns into a touchdown, Watson failed to attempt a pass on the decisive play.
injury
Browns: C Ethan Pocic (ankle) went to the locker room in the first quarter, returned in the third, and left again. …. Cleveland was already without running back Wyatt Teller (knee) and OTs Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) and Jack Conklin (hamstring). …LB Jordan Hicks (elbow) left in the second quarter. …TE David Njoku (ankle) did not play.
Raiders: LB Devine Diablo (oblique), T. Thayer Munford (knee/ankle), CB DeCamerion Richardson (hamstring) and TE Michael Mayer (personal reasons) did not play. … Returning specialist Tyreke McAllister (shoulder) was injured in the fourth quarter.
to the next
Browns: Next Sunday against Washington, the second game of a three-game series.
Raiders: Host Denver next Sunday.
